Bulls’ Buzelis added to Friday’s Rising Stars event at NBA All-Star Weekend

Posted February 14, 2025 10:38 am

Mike McGraw

Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis was added to the roster of the Rising Stars tournament, which tips off NBA All-Star Weekend on Friday night in San Francisco.

Buzelis, who will also take part in Saturday's Slam Dunk contest, will replace injured New Orleans center Yves Missi on “Team M,” named after honorary head coach Mitch Richmond.

Buzelis, a native of West suburban Willowbrook, played in this event last year as part of the G-League squad.

The Rising Stars is a three-game mini-tournament featuring four teams of seven players each. Three of the teams are made up of first- and second-year NBA players, while the fourth is G-League stars. Among Buzelis' teammates on the Richmond squad are twins Amen and Ausar Thompson, from the Rockets and Pistons, respectively.

The main event All-Star Game on Sunday will also be a four-team mini-tournament this year, and whichever team wins the Rising Stars event on Friday will join the Sunday tourney.

The suburbs will be well-represented this year at All-Star Weekend. Besides Buzelis, Stevenson High School grad Jalen Brunson from the Knicks will be in the 3-point contest on Saturday and play on the Kenny Smith team at the All-Star Games on Sunday.

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) sinks a three-point shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) AP

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