Matas Buzelis: 'Loyalty is a Huge Thing For Me.'

Michael Walton II

Sep 24, 2025, 19:13

Michael Walton II

Sep 24, 2025, 19:13

Updated at: Sep 24, 2025, 19:13

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis recently did a brief interview with TikTok creator Brayden Zaroff--shared on X by Bulls content site Bulls On Tap-- where he discussed making his first million, his parent's roots in basketball, and the importance of faith and self-belief in achieving one's goals.

The soon-to-be 21-year old Buzelis is committed to the Lithuania men's national basketball team. Although he didn't play in the EuroBasket 2025, Buzelis is likely to suit up for the team in big competitions in the future. Both of his parents played professional basketball in Lithuania before moving over to the US.

Buzelis stated, "my mother and my father were great basketball players in Lithuania, they didn't make it to the NBA level, but they were representing Lithuanian basketball for a long time."

In the short interview, Buzelis also touched on his business dealings with Panini America, the world leader in officially licensed collectibles & the leading multi-national publisher of trading cards, stickers, comics & children's magazines. He discussed the company helping him make his first million dollars, as well as the trait of loyalty being key in all of his business decisions.

"Loyalty is a huge thing for me, also having belief in me...if no one believes in you, [it's um,] it's tough for you to believe in them...

"I've never seen anybody do something big without faith. If you're the one that believes in yourself, that's all that matters."

There is plenty of reason for Bulls faithful to have faith in Buzelis, following a rookie season that saw him land on the 2024-25 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Buzelis averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 blocks per game, and shot 36.1% from the 3-point line. He led the Chicago Bulls in total blocks (75) and dunks (65) last season, despite not earning consistent playing time until later in the season. Buzelis averaged 26.9 minutes per game post All-Star break, recording 13 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game over that stretch. If Buzelis improves upon, rather than just replicate, the numbers he put up down the stretch of last season, it will be an easy decision for the Bulls when it comes time to negotiate with him.

Restricted free agency won't hit for Buzelis until the Summer of 2028, but the Bulls have no doubt planned around this timeframe to some degree.

The Bulls selected Noa Essengue 12th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, showcasing that they clearly plan to take their time with assembling a winner in Chicago, taking two of the youngest prospects in their respective classes in back-to-back drafts. While the jury is still out on what type of player Matas Buzelis is on the court, it is safe to say the Bulls appear to have the franchise in good hands in terms of players who add to a positive team culture off the court.

Matas Buzelis: 'Loyalty is a Huge Thing For Me.'