Matas Buzelis, a Lithuanian-American basketball player, got his agility and enthusiasm for hoops from his athletic parents, who are former basketball players. His father, Aidas, and mother, Kristina, played in Lithuanian basketball teams before moving to the United States.
Already an eye candy of many with his association in the NBA G League Ignite, Buzelis grabbed a lot more attention after being a top-five prospect in the 2024 NBA draft. With the Detroit Pistons earning the fifth lottery pick, many are already predicting Matas’ move from Chicago to the Little Caesars Arena.
Many are also asking if the 6 feet 10 inches tall, small forward has a brother from whom he got inspired or is following his footsteps to professional basketball. We’ve got you covered; scroll down for details on Buzelis’ parents and siblings.
Emerging NBA Star Matas Buzelis’ Parents, Kristina And Aidas, Played Basketball
Born and raised in Chicago, Matas Buzelis has Lithuanian ancestry, thanks to his Lithuanian-born parents, Kristina and Aidas Buzelis.
His dad and mom both played basketball professionally in their home country before immigrating to the United States and settling in Chicago. No denying that he developed a love and passion for sports at an early age.
In his interview with Pro Insight in 2021, Matas stated that he is a first-generation American, and his parents immigrated from Lithuania more than 20 years ago (in the late 1990s).
His father, Aidas Buzelis (b. October 14, 1971), played basketball professionally in Lithuanian Basketball League clubs from 1993 to 1999. The clubs are namely, Atletas Kaunas (1993-94), Kauno Neca (1994-95), and Sakalai (1997-99). On the other, his mother, Kristina Jankauskaite, played for Lithuanian youth basketball national teams.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr. Buzelis graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education in 1994. Later, he worked as a basketball coach and physical education teacher at his alma mater.
As for Matas’ mom, Kristina, she studied and played at the Institute of Physical Education before moving to the United States with Aidas.
Buzelis’ parents settled in Chicago, where his dad began working as a massage therapist at Lakeshore Athletic Club (2001-11), Chiropractic Care (2008-18), and Aidas Buzelis Massage Therapy (2000-present). In addition, he is also a massage therapist for the Lithuanian National Olympic basketball team (2008- present).
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Familial Connection To Athletics
Along with Matas Buzelis’ parents, his grandparents were also deeply connected with basketball. His paternal grandfather, Petras Buzelis, played for Zalgiris Kaunas, a league team in Lithuania, and eventually became team captain. After retirement, Petras worked as a Lithuanian radio and television sports editor and commentator.
The emerging NBA player’s maternal grandfather, Arvydas Jankauskas, is also a former basketball player. Later, he became a coach at Biržai Sports School.
His grandmother, Elena Buzelienė, a two-time European Champions Cup winner, is one of the best Lithuanian handball players ever.
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Are Matas Buzelis’ Parents Active On Social Media?
The young basketball player’s father and mother are avid users of Instagram, under the handle (@buzelis) and (@kriste5), respectively. They also have Facebook profiles; his father goes by @aidas.buzelis, while his mother is inactive on her account @kristina.jankauskaite.10.
Does Matas Buzelis Have A Brother? Details On Siblings
Since Matas hails from the bloodline of basketball players, NBA fans have bombarded the internet with one question: does he have any siblings who are on the way to carry the torch?
Yes! Buzelis is not the only child of his parents, Aidas and Kristina. He grew up with two siblings: an older sister, Sofija Buzelis, and a younger brother, Vincas Juozas Buzelis.
Their parents enrolled them in a gymnastics club during childhood for fun and coordination development. It would pave their way into athletics.
Sofija, born on May 23, 2003, graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in 2021, also the alma mater of Buzelis.
She is a student-athlete at Furman University, playing Lacrosse as a midfielder. She is pursuing a Communication and Media Studies degree at Furman (class of 2024).
According to her LinkedIn profile, Sofija is also a production associate at the university.
His younger brother, Vincas, a high school basketball player, was born on April 3, 2007. Standing 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) tall, Vincas plays as a guard at Sunrise Christian Academy (class of 2025), having formerly played at Hinsdale Central.
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NBA Player Buzelis’s Stats, Physicality, And More
Matas Buzelis, who is 19, averaged 6.9 rebounds, 14.3 points, and 2.1 blocks in the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend. Buzelis was a talented swimmer as a child, but he always enjoyed basketball more.
He was already a standout in school thanks to his basketball family, who blessed him with a natural talent for hoops. As a freshman, an attendant of Hinsdale Central High School, Matas averaged 11.4 points, 5.9 rounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
He transferred to Brewster Academy during his sophomore year, and by his junior year, he averaged 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. As a result, he was named Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year.
For his senior year, Matas went to Sunrise Christian Academy and recorded his career-best stats with 5.6 rebounds and 15.7 points per game.
As a basketball player, Matas Buzelis’s biggest advantage is his 6 feet 10 inches height. He has a lean and slim body structure and weighs 209 lbs, which is great for a sportsperson.
For the 2024 NBA draft, many are projecting him to be the top-five pick, given his history of gameplay. NBA draft scout Ricky O’Donnell said:
“The creativity he shows with the ball in his hands is really unique for someone so tall. At 6’10”, he’s comfortable playing on the perimeter but he’s also not afraid of contact.”
American basketball coach John Calipari was the first to spot talent in Matas during his visit from the Kentucky Wildcats in December 2021.
The Wildcats even offered him to play on their team, but he declined to go for collegiate basketball. Instead, he joined NBA G League Ignite on May 31, 2023.
Along with his rising NBA career, Matas made national waves after he committed to playing for the Lithuanian national men’s basketball team. On July 21, 2022, he signed a contract with the national team and has played for the team since then.
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