Syracuse basketball target Matas Buzelis could be on his way to five stars

Syracuse basketball 2023 prospect Matas Buzelis is shining on the AAU circuit and at other events, and national recruiting analysts say he may be poised for a rankings jump at some point down the line.

The four-star wing, a sophomore at the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., recently participated in the 2021 Pangos All-American Camp, held in Las Vegas. Several comments and tweets from analysts suggest that the 6-foot-8 Buzelis performed well.

For now, he is rated No. 46 overall, No. 10 at small forward and No. 2 in New Hampshire within his class, according to 247Sports. But as this recruiting service and others update their national rankings for this cycle, it appears that Buzelis’ stock is set to soar.

Analysts also note that, after June 15 of this year, college coaches can start communicating with prospects in the 2023 class directly with no limitations, except during dead and quiet periods.

Once June 15 hits, I imagine that it’s likely the floodgates will open up for Buzelis as it pertains to new scholarship offers and interest from high-major programs around the country.

Syracuse basketball got in early with 2023 four-star player Matas Buzelis.

Buzelis, who runs with the Chicago-based Mac Irvin Fire on the AAU circuit, received an offer from the Orange coaching staff last November.

His other offers include from Kansas, Illinois, Providence, Wake Forest, Nebraska and Western Illinois. There have been rumblings that several other Big Ten Conference squads, including Michigan, are showing interest in Buzelis.

Analysts say that Buzelis is a versatile and athletic prospect who can suit up at multiple positions. Given his length, I could foresee him thriving in the ‘Cuse 2-3 zone.

Regarding his play at the 2021 Pangos All-American Camp, 247Sports national analyst Brandon Jenkins and 247Sports national basketball director Eric Bossi both published recent pieces that included some positive praise on Buzelis.

"Bossi said in part, “Already ranked No. 46 overall in the class of 2023, I could see Matas Buzelis making a pretty sizeable jump. At 6-foot-8 with a high level of skill and some tenacity to the way he plays the game, to me he is a guy that could ultimately merit some discussion for five-star status. Now, he’s not there just yet but as he fills out his skinny frame and continues to get more consistent as a scorer, then he could very well get there.”"