Can Matas Buzelis Become the Chicago Bulls' Next All-Star?

Back in the glory days, Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah represented the Chicago Bulls on the All-Star stage under the brightest spotlights. More recently, Bulls Nation still had DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine to watch during that celebratory weekend.

But since the 2022-23 season, the Bulls haven't produced an All-Star.

Though not an authentic All-Star selection, Matas Buzelis has become a silver lining for Bulls Nation — at least serving as the only reason to tune into the Rising Stars game on Saturday. While enjoying the West Coast sunshine, the sophomore soaked in the All-Star vibes while competing with Team Vince at Intuit Dome. After his squad captured the championship, Buzelis received the Rising Stars trophy from Derik Queen, his high school rival from their National Tournament clash years ago. He hoisted it high with an unmistakable smile.

That moment encapsulated his growth trajectory, heralding his graduation from Rising Star status. So what's next for Chicago's hometown talent? 

To be an All-Star, naturally.

Does that sound harsh for Buzelis? Not really. After starting 31 games as a rookie, Buzelis has started 55 games in his sophomore campaign, taking a normal yet profound leap. He's averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting over 37% from three, though growing pains remain evident.

Before the All-Star break, Buzelis delivered a strong January stretch. With the roster ravaged by injuries, he peaked at 17.0 points per game across 30 minutes nightly, shooting 39.8% from beyond the arc. He also elevated his defensive impact with 1.3 blocks per game, producing a +4.4 plus-minus value.

But we shouldn't rush to set the bar unrealistically high or burden Buzelis with immediate pressure. He's developing steadily under Billy Donovan's guidance. With seven guards now on the roster, seemingly aligned with Donovan's small-ball philosophy promoting uptempo basketball and ball movement, it's unclear whether Buzelis can continue thriving surrounded by so many ball handlers. Anfernee Simons and Colin Sexton have shown significant usage since arriving via trade, and Josh Giddey, the unquestionable cornerstone, hasn't even returned from injury yet.

Former NBA player and current CHSN Bulls analyst Kendall Gill offered his opinion on Buzelis' development during an interview on 104.3 The Score's Mully and Haugh show. Gill identified defense and attacking elite defenders downhill as the next critical areas for growth — two aspects we've examined closely. While showing more defensive responsibility this season, Buzelis still struggles with foul trouble, a hurdle he must clear. Though he's driving more aggressively on the offensive end, he has room to improve his ball-handling and finishing productively at the rim.

Moreover, if Buzelis wants to soar to All-Star status, he will face an even fiercer competition and challenges from the entire NBA international group while being outstanding in the Eastern Conference. Registered as a Lithuanian player in the FIBA system since 2022, Buzelis is classified as an international player. Following the new All-Star format introduced in 2026, where a new team would be filled with international players, he would fight for a spot in a highly-touted international pool through fierce competition — a significantly tougher path than battling only within conference lines.

All these factors matter for Buzelis' road to greatness. Can he make it and make Chicago proud again? Only time will tell, but the Rising Star trophy suggests he's heading in the right direction.