The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend is heading to the sunny beach town of Los Angeles this year. And despite how well Josh Giddey played this season, it looked like the Bulls wouldn’t have any representation. Or so we thought, until the NBA announced Matas Buzelis as a participant in the Rising Stars Game, which takes place on All-Star Friday.
This will be Matas Buzelis’ second appearance in the Rising Stars Game after playing on Team Mitch last season. However it’s important to note that he was initially left off the roster last season, and was a last-minute addition.
Last year also featured the weird Rising Stars tournament format, where the G League had its own team. There were three NBA teams plus one G League team, and games were played to 40 points instead of the usual full-length format. Buzelis ended up on the team that fell to Team G League, logging just nine minutes while putting up four points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Who Else is Playing with Matas Buzelis?
Matas Buzelis is one of 11 sophomores selected to play in the Rising Stars Game. Joining him are Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George of the Wizards, Stephon Castle of the Spurs, Donovan Clingan of the Trail Blazers, Reed Sheppard of the Rockets, Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells of the Grizzlies, Kal’El Ware of the Heat, Ajay Mitchell of the Thunder, and Jaylon Tyson of the Cavaliers.
The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars NBA Sophomores ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/l2ltJY6ugw
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 26, 2026They’ll be joined by ten rookies: Cedric Coward of the Grizzlies, Dylan Harper of the Spurs, Egor Demin of the Nets, Tre Johnson of the Wizards, VJ Edgecombe of the 76ers, Kon Knueppel of the Hornets, Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen of the Pelicans, and Cooper Flagg of the Mavericks.
The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars NBA Rookies ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/RkN1Kmnzor
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 26, 2026There will also be seven representatives from the NBA G League, with notable names including Yang Hansen and Ron Harper Jr., the son of former Chicago Bull Ron Harper.
The draft will tip off tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET and will feature honorary coaches Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter selecting teams from the pool of 21 NBA sophomores and rookies. Austin Rivers will serve as the head coach of the NBA G League team.
The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars ⬇️Tune in to @peacock tomorrow at 7 PM ET to watch honorary coaches Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter draft their teams from the pool of 21 NBA sophomores and rookies.Austin Rivers will serve as the honorary coach of the @nbagleague… pic.twitter.com/WW4quEKMLX
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 26, 2026 © Kyle Terada-Imagn ImagesMatas’ Impressive Sophomore Campaign
Matas Buzelis, unlike many others from the 2024 NBA Draft class, is not going through a sophomore slump. Instead, he’s taken a clear step forward from his impressive rookie campaign and is now a full-time starter for the Bulls. He’s averaging 15 points per game, nearly double last season, along with five rebounds and two assists. He transitioned into more of a power forward role earlier in the year, but recently he’s slid back to small forward, where he does some of his best work.
But more than the offensive numbers, his defensive leap has been extraordinary. Buzelis ranks top-10 in the NBA in total blocks. Everyone ahead of him is a true center or power forward, except Derrick White, and he also sits top-20 in several other block categories. He’s one of just six players in the league with 60+ made threes and 60+ blocks, which is ridiculous company to be in.
Matas Buzelis:— Leading Bulls in blocks— Leading Bulls in threes— Top 10 in blocks this season 1 of 4 players with 60+ blocks and 60+ threes this season. pic.twitter.com/ZXCuUNH7JE
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 20, 2026Matas has also gotten real opportunity this season. With LaVine off the roster and Josh Giddey and Coby White missing time, Buzelis finally got the chance to spread his wings. He put together the longest 15+ point scoring streak of his career, and honestly, it probably would’ve still been alive if Billy Donovan didn’t fluctuate his minutes like a broken light switch.
He’s clearly among the best sophomores playing in the Rising Stars Game, and it wouldn’t be shocking if we someday see him in the actual All-Star Game as well. Not too long ago, the Bulls made it clear that Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey, and Noa Essengue are the only players guaranteed to be part of their future plans. Chicago definitely sees the potential, just like we do.
And when it comes to the intangibles, he’s a full-on highlight machine, which is exactly the kind of player the NBA wants on the All-Star stage. I still feel like Jalen Suggs is salty about getting dunked on by Matas.
MATAS BUZELIS JUST ENDED JALEN SUGGS ?? pic.twitter.com/pvOktHQnNr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 3, 2026That is definitely something I will be looking out for on Friday!
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