Syracuse Basketball: Matas Buzelis is 6-foot-8 and plays like a point guard

Syracuse basketball 2023 target Matas Buzelis has an expanding recruitment.

At the top of the Syracuse basketball 2-3 zone, athletic and long guards are ideal, and 2023 prospect Matas Buzelis would fit into the Orange system extremely well.

The ‘Cuse coaching staff recently offered a scholarship to the 6-foot-8 sophomore out of the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. When we reported about this offer by the Orange, we noted that recruiting services often describe Buzelis as a shooting guard/small forward.

However, in this piece by 247Sports national analyst Dushawn London about Buzelis, the high-school player is thought of as a wing who moves and plays like a point guard. At his height, there’s no doubt that Buzelis would thrive in the ‘Cuse zone and prove difficult for opponents to shoot over.

Dmitry Pirshin, Buzelis’ trainer and the coach of Chicago-based Full Package, discussed Buzelis’ game in the 247Sports article. Pirshin said in part, “He’s pretty much a 6-foot-8 point guard. A lot of people will write he’s a wing or stretch forward but he moves like a guard, and for me, he plays point guard and now he grew to 6-foot-8. He can pass, use screens, be a good shooter, and good in the catch and shoot. He’s a freak athlete genetically.”

"Pirshin adds of Buzelis, “Right now he’s working on his mid range, the one foot stuff, acceleration, step backs, reading screens, and being a screen. This summer we really worked on his catch and shoot because he usually was shooting off the dribble, but since he’s getting taller, he can move around and play on the wing. I think he really progressed on that.”"

Buzelis has offers from groups such as Syracuse basketball, Illinois, fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member Wake Forest and Western Illinois. Per the 247Sports story, he’s “also receiving interest from Michigan, Wisconsin, Northwestern, and Kansas.”

Syracuse basketball will witness increased competition for 2023 prospect Matas Buzelis.

Buzelis previously attended Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, Ill., a Chicago suburb, but now suits up for the powerhouse squad at the Brewster Academy, which has sent numerous guys to the Hill in recent years.

Not all the primary recruiting services have published national rankings for the 2023 cycle, but when they do, I anticipate that Buzelis will arrive as a four-star, top-100 player.

London, the 247Sports national analyst, writes that Buzelis “has the tools to be one of the top guys in the class and when the season starts someday I expect him to start making noise in the class of 2023.”

"Buzelis said of the ‘Cuse to London, “They said I was a really special talent and the coach is very interested in recruiting me. They play with big guards and that’s how I play. I play up top and handle the ball and that’s what they like about me because that’s how they play.”"