The 11th overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft saw Matas Buzelis head to the Chicago Bulls. Having previously been mocked anywhere from first overall to top-ten, it was considered a steal on draft night. The 19-year-old became one of the most electric players at the Las Vegas Summer League tournament, creating a buzz in the Windy City before the season’s start. Yesterday, it was announced that Buzelis would participate in the NBA’s Dunk Contest over the All-Star weekend, joining rare air in Chicago. Who else has tested their luck and shown their skills off over the break, and how can he make his mark in the Bulls’ record books?
Third Bulls Rookie In Dunk Contest
Buzelis will join two other rookies in the franchise’s history to showcase at the NBA’s Dunk Contest. Michael Jordan in 1985 and Tyrus Thomas in 2008 were the first two, with Jordan being the organization’s lone Dunk Contest victor. Lauri Markkanen was Chicago’s last participant in the All-Star weekend challenges, not including the All-Star or Rising Stars games, in 2018 as a rookie. Can Buzelis become the first Bull to win it since Jordan?
Matas Buzelis is CONFIRMED for the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest 👀🔥pic.twitter.com/05F0Lm7d6z
— BullsMuse (@BullsMuse_) January 21, 2025
First Participant In Nearly 20 Years
Fans will see a Chicago Bull flashing high-flying dunks for the first time in 17 seasons. He’ll be just the fifth player in the franchise’s history to be a contestant and only the seventh in the dunk or skills contest. His pregame acrobatics and offseason gym videos have shown that the 20-year-old will bring a creative package to the stage at All-Star weekend.
"If you're a betting person, put some money on Matas Buzelis."@camronsmith, @mrjoshuaperry, and @DavidHaugh talk Buzelis heading to the NBA Dunk Contest on The Chicago Lead! pic.twitter.com/6jkQOkVxSH
— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) January 22, 2025
Tune in on February 15th for the NBA Dunk Contest for what will likely be Chicago’s lone representative on NBA All-Star Weekend.
