How Kevin Durant helped to instill confidence in Matas Buzelis

The Chicago Bulls have one of the most confident young players in Matas Buzelis. Since he began in 2024, Buzelis has been a sight to behold. His acrobatic exploits have gone viral, and his unquestioned desire to go the extra mile has endeared him in his hometown.

He owes that, in part, to Kevin Durant, per Cousins, along with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. He told the NBA legends that Durant is the template he wants to embody as he continues to grow.

“I’d say it gives me even more confidence,” Buzelis said. “But he’s so real, man. Like he cares so much about basketball and you can see it. I actually saw him recently. So I’ve been, you know, I talked to him about some of my routine stuff that I do and how he approaches the game. Talked about the mid-range, but he’s so real, man. Like he really tells you the truth. He loves basketball. You can really see that and you have to appreciate somebody like that, man.”

Durant is embarking on his 19th NBA season, his second with the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, Buzelis is about to start his third year with the Bulls. Buzelis has already been working to build himself up. During the offseason, he told Carter and McGrady he hired a chef to help him gain 12 pounds. All in an effort to turn himself into his own version of what Durant is.

Athletic, versatile, and stronger than yesterday.

Last year, Buzelis averaged a career-high 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds while making 77 appearances. Cousins is a AMP Sports Original Series.

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