Bulls' Buzelis Vows to Add Strength After Skinny Rookie Season

Second-year forward acknowledges he needs to bulk up to compete with NBA's biggest stars.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:07am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the upper body of a basketball player in motion, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange hues conveying the physicality of the sport.A young NBA player's determination to add strength and bulk up is reflected in a cubist-inspired illustration capturing the sport's physical demands.Chicago Today

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis is determined to add muscle and strength this offseason after a rookie campaign where he often struggled against the physicality of the NBA. The 22-year-old admitted he's 'skinny as hell' and knows he needs to take better care of his body to reach his full potential.

Why it matters

Buzelis showed flashes of his talent as a rookie, but was frequently overmatched by stronger opponents. Improving his physical stature will be crucial for the young forward to take the next step in his development and become a consistent contributor for the rebuilding Bulls.

The details

Buzelis, who was recently ruled out of a game due to illness, has acknowledged the need to get bigger and stronger to handle the rigors of the NBA. 'I mean, look at me. I'm skinny as hell,' Buzelis told the Chicago Tribune. 'I definitely have to add strength. Your body's a temple, so you really want to take care of it.' Head coach Billy Donovan has pushed Buzelis hard, benching him at times, in an effort to teach the young player what it takes to be a 'winning player' in the league.

  • Buzelis was recently ruled out of the Bulls' April 5th game against the Phoenix Suns due to illness.
  • In a March 29th interview, Buzelis discussed Donovan's tough coaching style and how it has helped shape him as a player.

The players

Matas Buzelis

A 22-year-old second-year forward for the Chicago Bulls who is determined to add strength and muscle to his slender frame in order to better compete against the NBA's physical players.

Billy Donovan

The head coach of the Chicago Bulls who has pushed Buzelis hard in an effort to teach him what it takes to be a 'winning player' in the league.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, look at me. I'm skinny as hell. I definitely have to add strength. Your body's a temple, so you really want to take care of it.”

— Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls Forward

“This might sound crazy, but it's the truth: He's teaching me how to be a winning player, and I know everyone will say, 'Well, you're not winning a lot of games,' but he's taught me the characteristics it takes to win, and that's all you can ask for.”

— Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls Forward

“He's been everything, man. He's been a role model to me; he's someone I look up to as a person, as a human being. He's a guy that's been a cornerstone for me. He's pushed me to my limits, and he's going to keep pushing me until I can't be pushed anymore.”

— Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls Forward

What’s next

The Bulls will continue to monitor Buzelis' progress as he works to add strength and muscle this offseason. His development will be a key storyline to watch as the team looks to build around its young core.

The takeaway

Buzelis' self-awareness about his physical limitations as a skinny rookie shows his maturity, and his praise for coach Donovan's tough love approach indicates the young forward is committed to doing whatever it takes to reach his full potential in the NBA.