Chicago Native Represents the Bulls on Basketball’s Biggest Stage
Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis stepped into the spotlight at the 2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, held on Saturday, February 15, at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The highly anticipated event, part of the NBA’s All-Star Weekend, featured some of the league’s most explosive young dunkers, with Buzelis making history as the first Bulls player to participate since Tyrus Thomas in 2007.
Buzelis, a 6-foot-10 forward, is known for his versatility and athleticism, traits that made him a compelling addition to the slam dunk lineup. Despite being a rookie, the Chicago native embraced the challenge, looking to make a name for himself in a competition that has launched many young players into superstardom.
A Promising Start but a Tough First Round
The contest kicked off with Buzelis attempting an ambitious and creative dunk—a bounce pass between his legs into a one-handed slam. However, the execution proved difficult, and after several missed attempts, he was unable to complete it within the allotted time. The judges, recognizing his creativity but also factoring in the missed attempts, awarded him a score of 40 points, putting him at an early disadvantage.
For his second dunk, Buzelis opted for a more controlled but still impressive move: a reverse dunk off the side of the backboard. This time, he executed the dunk cleanly, electrifying the crowd and earning a score of 47.4 points. While the performance was strong, his combined score of 87.4 was not enough to advance to the final round.
Mac McClung Secures Historic Third Straight Dunk Contest Title
While Buzelis was eliminated, the contest continued with defending champion Mac McClung of the Orlando Magic putting on another jaw-dropping display of dunking prowess. McClung, known for his insane vertical leap and creativity, achieved perfect scores in every round.
In one of the contest’s most memorable moments, McClung jumped over a car’s roof for a dunk, paying homage to Blake Griffin’s iconic 2011 performance. The move secured his third consecutive Slam Dunk Contest title, making him one of the most dominant dunkers in recent NBA history.
McClung’s victory further cemented his legacy in NBA dunk contest history, and fans immediately began debating whether he could match or surpass Nate Robinson’s record of three career wins in future contests.
Buzelis’ Takeaway: A Learning Experience for the Young Star
Despite not advancing to the final, Buzelis’ participation was a major milestone in his rookie year. The young forward has been steadily developing with the Bulls, and this experience on a national stage allowed him to showcase his athletic ability while learning from the league’s best dunkers.
After the contest, Buzelis reflected on the experience, saying:
“It was an amazing opportunity to represent the Bulls and have fun with the fans. Obviously, I wanted to do more, but just being here and competing with these guys is something I’ll never forget.”
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan also weighed in, stating that Buzelis’ willingness to take on a challenge like this demonstrates his confidence and competitive nature.
“Matas is still growing as a player, but you can see his willingness to push himself. This is just another step in his development.”
What’s Next for Buzelis and the Bulls?
Following All-Star Weekend, Buzelis will return to action with the Bulls as they prepare for the second half of the NBA regular season. Currently, the team is fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and the focus will shift back to on-court performance as they aim to make a strong push.
The Bulls’ next game is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, against the Phoenix Suns at the United Center in Chicago.
While this year’s dunk contest may not have ended the way Buzelis hoped, his high-flying potential and willingness to compete suggest that he could make another appearance in future dunk contests—with a chance to bring the trophy back to Chicago.
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