According to Bleacher Report draft reporter Jonathan Wasserman, the Atlanta Hawks, who are the top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, have tried out a top-five pick, Matas Buzelis, who plays for NBA Development League team Ignite this season. According to Wasserman, Bouzelis just completed a tryout with the San Antonio Spurs last week. So far, among the teams with the top six draft picks, only the Houston Rockets, who have a flower pick, have not tried out Bozzelis. Considering that the draft is approaching, he probably won't have any more tryouts for the Rockets.
Born in October 2004, the 19-year-old is a highly intelligent and technically sophisticated striker. According to the data of the previous joint trial physical test, Buzelis's bare foot height is 205.1cm, the arm span is 208.3cm, the standing touch height is 268cm, and the weight is 86.4kg. Bouzelis' physical talent is actually quite good, and although his arm span is a little shorter, his height and touch are actually quite good. In fact, as a white player, Bouzelis is also more athletic than everyone expected, his three-second zone four-point movement and switchback running speed are at the top level, his jumping ability is also relatively good, and his three-quarter court sprint speed is also at the upper middle level. Overall, Bouzelis is a striker with considerable physical talent and athleticism.
In the NBA Development League this season, Bouzelis appeared in a total of 34 games, averaging 31 minutes per game, averaging 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.9 blocks, and 2.2 turnovers, shooting 45.5% from the field, 26.1% from three-point range, and 69.6% from the free throw line. Bouzelis' performance in the NBA Development League this season is indeed very unsatisfactory, he can be said to have exposed all aspects of his weaknesses, his three-point shooting percentage is almost disastrous, and his confrontation ability is not ideal. However, Bouzelis has some bright spots on both ends of the floor, he has a well-rounded scoring ability on the offensive end, he can also use his advantages in possession and the big picture to help the team, and he also has good defensive ability and defensive awareness on the defensive end.
In fact, Bouzelis is an all-round striker with a high ceiling and super malleability on both ends of the floor, and if he can live up to his talent, he has every chance of becoming a top star. It's no exaggeration to say that his talent is probably one of the best in this rookie. Unfortunately, his performance with the Ignite this season has really dragged him down and led to his decline in the draft. I wonder if Bouzelis will impress the Hawks in the final minute tryout, or if there will be some surprises in the draft?