Matas Buzelis played three games with the Lithuanian national team – against Ukraine (friendly), Great Britain, and Italy (both – World Basketball Championship qualifiers).
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The loss to the latter team by 84:87 was particularly painful for Lithuania. It considerably complicated the national team’s chances of opening the doors to the upcoming championships.
M. Buzelis played 18 minutes in two World Championship qualifying games, scoring 9 points and grabbing 3.5 rebounds per game.
The Lithuanian himself was somewhat upset about such a role. In a podcast with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, the Chicago Bulls forward shared what Rimas Kurtinaitis and his coaching staff told him at that time.
“They told me: be yourself, we know what you can do. When the game started, I had to stand in the corner and attack the opponents’ close-outs,” M. Buzelis shrugged and laughed sarcastically. “I think coaches need to be straightforward with the player.
When the game started, I had to stand in the corner and attack the opponents’ close-outs
If they had told me right away what to do, everything would have been fine. Wins are more important. They told me to be myself, but during the game everything changed.”
However, for M. Buzelis, it was not only the bitterness of wins and losses but also his debut in the national team and representing the country where his parents were born and raised.
“I always wanted to play for the national team of the country my parents are from,” the Chicago Lithuanian spoke warmly about the national team. “The experience was completely different. The entire positioning on the court, how you have to play.
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You have to sacrifice for your team. I definitely had problems playing. FIBA basketball is different. We had problems with positions, I myself didn’t know where to play, but I won’t go too deep into that. In summary, it was a great experience.”
– You were born and raised in Chicago, your parents came from Lithuania. You don’t have the same cultural and emotional attachment to the country as those who grew up there. Did you feel a difference between yourself and your teammates?
– It was definitely different. You feel that the whole country is on your shoulders, everyone is watching you, everyone supports you, the fans are great. It means a lot when you play for your country. They explained to me how important it is to play for the national team, even in qualifying windows. Players sacrifice a lot, they ask to be substituted if they feel another player would perform better.
Everything in the national team is about sacrifice. Even in the USA team, you have to step aside if there is a better player in your position.
– What was the feeling of putting on the Lithuanian jersey and seeing the inscription “Lithuania”?
– It meant everything. My father was with me, he has been working with the team for some time. He works individually with Jonas Valančiūnas during the season.
When I see him nearby, and I represent the country where my family and roots are from – it’s a surreal feeling. My father said it’s incredible to see me in the national team jersey. At that moment, it didn’t matter where I play, I lived in the moment, but after the games, I saw the posts and thought it was unreal. A very important moment.
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