Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu praises rookie Matas Buzelis, believes he has the potential to dominate the game like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis had a promising rookie year in the NBA this season.
Matas Buzelis
Matas Buzelis
Matas Buzelis
MIN: 19.09
PTS: 8.6 (51.11%)
REB: 3.51
As: 1
ST: 0.37
BL: 0.93
TO: 0.93
GM: 81
After struggling to find a consistent role early on in Billy Donovan’s rotation, Buzelis finished the season strong, averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, and earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
His teammate, Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu, has spent significant time with Buzelis this summer in Los Angeles, working out alongside fellow Bulls Coby White and Patrick Williams.
Dosunmu says Buzelis has impressed him during scrimmages and workouts, praising his development and potential to become one of the league’s most dominant players in the future.
"He had a very good showing in LA," Dosunmu said via Chicago Sun Times.
"Matas is a hard worker, a tremendous worker," Dosunmu continued. "He loves the work. I have high praises for him, high expectations for him. I’m seeing him in person, him getting stronger. He’s starting to realize how strong he is and how he’s able to dominate."
Credit AP - Scanpix
The Bulls guard even compared Buzelis’ path to stardom to that of two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, believing Buzelis has all the tools to reach that level of dominance.
"I know Giannis is a Hall of Famer, top 20, top 30 player [all time], but Matas has a chance to really dominate the game like that," Dosunmu said.
"He’s 6-10, 6-11, and as he continues to get stronger, continues to get in the weight room, he’s only going to get bigger."
"I think he’s going to continue to grow gradually like that in terms of him being able to finish, rebound, him being able to just dominate the game, and that’s definitely going to show," he stated.
Credit Getty Images - Scanpix
Dosunmu also revealed that Buzelis was the No. 1 guy he wanted the Bulls to draft during last year’s NBA Draft.
"He was the main guy I wanted them to draft last year," Dosunmu said of Buzelis. "His body transforming is one of the things that’s surprising me."
"Seeing him become more powerful, as he continues to get stronger and he continues to finish better at the rim, he’s going to understand that there are very limited people that are able to stop him."
"Once he gains that confidence, he can shoot, he can put it on the floor. It’s going to be over," he stated.
Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.