Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis continues to establish himself as one of the NBA’s most promising young talents.
The 6-foot-9 forward has been selected to his second consecutive NBA Rising Stars Game, which will take place during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. The honor reflects Buzelis’ significant growth in his second season.
Buzelis is averaging 14.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, two assists, and 1.4 blocks per game while appearing in 48 games this season. His efficiency and consistency have stood out, as he has shown steady improvement on both ends of the floor. Whether scoring at the rim, stretching the floor, or protecting the paint, Buzelis has become a reliable presence in Chicago’s rotation.
Since Dec. 1, Buzelis has taken another leap. He is averaging 16.1 points per game during that span, ranking second among all second-year players. Moving into January, Buzelis tied for the league lead among rookies and second-year players with four games of at least 20 points. He is also the only player in that group to record at least 200 points, 25 made 3-pointers, and 15 blocks during the first month of 2026.
Selected by the Bulls with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Buzelis entered the league after one season with the NBA G League Ignite. Since joining Chicago, he has already carved out a unique place in franchise history. He is the only Bulls player to total at least 1,000 points, 150 made 3-pointers, and 130 blocks at age 21 or younger.
Buzelis now joins Elton Brand, Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, Lauri Markkanen, and Ayo Dosunmu as the ninth Bulls player to earn two Rising Stars selections. Overall, he becomes one of 19 Bulls players to participate in the event at least once.
The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Game, which showcases the NBA’s top rookies and second-year players, will tip off at 8 p.m. CT on Friday, Feb. 13. The 75th NBA All-Star Game follows at 4 p.m. CT on Sunday, Feb. 15.
The Rising Stars event features a mini-tournament format with four teams: three made up of NBA rookies and sophomores and one composed of G League standouts. Team Vince, coached by Vince Carter, includes Buzelis alongside players such as VJ Edgecomb, Derik Queen, and Jaylen Wells. Other honorary coaches include Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Austin Rivers, with assistant coaches from All-Star staffs serving as head coaches.
Selections were determined by a vote from NBA assistant coaches, who ranked eligible players. The top 10 rookies and top 10 sophomores earned roster spots, with the final selection going to the highest-ranked remaining player.
As Buzelis continues to develop, his Rising Stars selection signals more than individual success. It highlights his potential to become a future All-Star if the Bulls continue to put the right developmental structure around him and allow him to play within a system that maximizes his strengths.