The NBA officially announced the 2025 Rising Stars roster for All-Star Weekend, and Matas Buzelis didn’t make the cut.
The decision is sure to catch some off guard, especially when we consider the Chicago Bulls rookie did enough to earn an invite to the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest. He has made a name for himself early on with his high-flying jams and defensive instincts. Not only does he sit second on the Bulls with 23 rookie dunks this season, but his 35 total blocks rank fifth among the 2024 draft class thus far.
MATAS SHOOK AARON GORDON(? @chicagobulls) pic.twitter.com/SWykaXoZzy
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) January 28, 2025Those two numbers are especially impressive when we consider how little he has been on the floor. Buzelis has played the ninth-fewest minutes on the Bulls this season and ranks 20th in the rookie class. Alas, that also speaks to why the 20-year-old didn’t receive a phone call for the NBA’s first event at All-Star Weekend. Aside from Jared McCain, who suffered a season-ending injury, every Rising Stars player has clocked over 100 more minutes than Buzelis this season. Four players – Bub Carrington, Jaylen Wells, Yves Missi, and Tristian da Silva – have even doubled Buzelis’ minutes played.
To be sure, not all hope is lost for Buzelis. With McCain sidelined due to a knee injury, one has to imagine the NBA announces an alternate. Could Buzelis be next in line? There is still a chance his lack of playing time works against him, but his dunk contest invite shows he is clearly on the league’s radar. Not to mention, Buzelis played in this event last season for the G League team. He even drained a game-winner over No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller. As far as I’m concerned, that alone warrants an invite back!
?? Matt Marton-Imagn ImagesNBA’s Rising Stars Roster
Reminder: The Rising Stars event is a tournament. The 21 rookies and sophomores will be drafted to three different teams, while a fourth team will be made up solely of G League players. The four squads – led by honorary head coaches – will compete in a single-elimination tournament on Feb. 14 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
NBA Rookies
Bub Carrington – WizardsStephon Castle – SpursTristan da Silva – MagicZach Edey – GirzzliesDalton Knecht – LakersJared McCain – 76ersYves Missi – PelicansZacchaire Risacher – HawksAlex Sarr – Washington
NBA Sophomores
Bilal Coulibaly – WizardsGradey Dick – RaptorsKeyonte George – JazzScoot Henderson – Trail BlazersTrayce Jackson-Davis – WarriorsJamie Jacquez Jr. – HeatDereck Lively II – MavericksBrandon Miller – HornetsAmen Thompson – RocketsCason Wallace – ThunderVictor Wembanyama – Spurs
NBA G League
JD DavisonMac McClungBryce McGowensLeonard MillerDink PateReed SheppardPat Spencer
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