Matas Buzelis has expressed uncertainty about playing for Lithuania at FIBA EuroBasket 2025 due to a public dispute between Jonas Valanciunas and assistant coach Tomas Pacesas, saying, "We have problems with the coaches."
Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis has expressed uncertainty about playing for the Lithuanian national team at the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket 2025, despite previously stating his intention to join.
The 20-year-old's hesitation stems from a public dispute involving Sacramento Kings center and national team captain Jonas Valanciunas, as well as Lithuania's assistant coach, Tomas Pacesas.
The controversy began when Pacesas indirectly criticized Valanciunas during a local YouTube show, accusing unnamed Lithuanian NBA players of showing up to training camp "with big bellies" after months of rest.
Matas Buzelis
| Team: |
Chicago Bulls |
| Position: | SG, SF |
| Age: | 20 |
| Height: | 208 cm |
| Weight: | 93 kg |
| Birth place: | Chicago, United States of America |
Pacesas also remarked that some of them need time to "regenerate after hunting" and even used a cigarette reference—although JV is not a smoker.
The comments were widely interpreted as aimed at Valanciunas, who is known for spending his free time hunting and fishing.
Buzelis, a close friend of Valanciunas, has taken the remarks seriously and now appears to be reconsidering his summer plans.
"I will definitely play for the Lithuanian national team, but I don't know when," Buzelis told Mazvydas Laurinavicius of DELFI. "But I will definitely play. Now, I'm not sure that I will come this summer. We have problems with the coaches. I have to talk to Jonas, Domantas [Sabonis], and see what they will do."
Buzelis has averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists over 80 games in his rookie regular season.
He might not be Lithuania's only important absence this summer. Three-time NBA All-Star Domantas Sabonis plans to skip EuroBasket 2025 for personal reasons.
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