Syracuse Basketball: Blue-blood in mix for 2023 prospect Matas Buzelis
By Neil Adler
Recruiting analysts rave about the potential of 2023 prospect Matas Buzelis, who received a scholarship offer from Syracuse basketball last November.
Although just a sophomore, the 6-foot-8 Buzelis is already starting to see his recruitment heat up. Per his Twitter page, Buzelis has received an offer from blue-blood team Kansas, along with another recent offer from former Big East Conference foe Providence.
According to a review of numerous recruiting services, Buzelis holds other offers from squads such as Illinois, Wake Forest and Western Illinois. Other high-majors to reportedly have shown interest in him include Michigan, Wisconsin and Northwestern.
Buzelis suits up for the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., which is often one of the premier prep-school programs around the country and has sent numerous players to Central New York over the years. Buzelis previously attended Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, Ill., a Chicago suburb.
Scott Burgess, a senior scouting director for Prep Hoops Illinois, had this to say about Buzelis in a recent tweet. “Brewster Academy 2023 SF Matas Buzelis is easily going to be a highly nationally ranked prospect. Tremendous size, athleticism, and skill combination. Has a chance to develop into a plus defender as well. Lights out shooter with exceptional bounce.”
Syracuse basketball has high-level competition for 2023 prospect Matas Buzelis.
His bios on some recruiting Web sites list Buzelis as a small forward, although a handful of articles that I’ve read about him also characterize Buzelis as a point guard.
Given his length and size, I imagine that the ‘Cuse coaching staff would feel elated about the possibility of Buzelis playing at the top of the team’s 2-3 zone.
Buzelis is an under-rated prospect. He’s not nationally ranked by some recruiting services for the time being, but based on insights from various analysts, I expect that to change.
Plus, if groups such as Kansas, Illinois and Providence have offered him, you know that means Buzelis is a terrific high-school player with loads of promise and talent.
As we recently detailed in a column, Syracuse basketball is pursuing a bunch of elite 2023 prospects, including several others besides Buzelis who compete at the guard spot.