NBA Selects Two More Bobcats

Congratulations to Matas Buzelis and Devin Carter, two recent Brewster Bobcats who are now headed to play in the NBA. Buzelis was drafted 11th overall by his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, having played in the G-League after leaving Brewster. When news broke of the pick, social media buzzed with excitement for the 6-foot-10 Lithuanian-American forward, with comments like “The Bulls just gained three million new fans” from supporters in Lithuania. Just after the draft announcement, sports journalist Tylor Rooks asked Buzelis about going home to Chicago. “I’m thankful for this organization. I’m gonna give it all I got,” he said, smiling. 

The Sacramento Kings made Carter their 13th overall pick following the 6’3” guard’s stellar junior season with Providence, during which he was named the Big East Player of the Year. Just after the draft announcement, Carter posted on his social media accounts, “Kings fans, Devin Carter here. Just got drafted. Super excited to get ready to work. Just want to let you all know you’re getting a competitor, somebody who is ready to win Day One. Let’s go. Light the beam!” referring to the Kings’ tradition of lighting a purple light beam at their arena after a win.

Asked about what kind of player he wants to be, Buzelis had a similar answer: “I want to be a hardworking person, win or lose, bad day or good day—I’m ready to go.”

In his post-draft interview with Rooks, Carter was asked what separates the great defenders from the good ones. “Honestly, it’s determination, and how hard you really want it. You’re good if you do it sometimes—you’re great if you do it all the time,” he said, adding that he tries to be one of the people who does it all the time, “especially as I find my place in the League.”

“This is another special day for Brewster Academy and its stellar basketball program—a tradition of excellence and high-level player development that Coach Jason Smith has built for many decades,” said Brewster’s Athletic Director Connor Wells. “Brewster is immensely proud of Matas, Devin, and their families, and cannot wait to cheer them on in the NBA!”

Brewster can now claim 14 players who have been drafted into the NBA and 24 alumni who have played in the league, including Donovan Mitchell and Will Barton. Even more have had professional careers in leagues around the world, including the NBA G League. Since 2001, the program has sent almost 200 players to Division I schools, including Stanford University, Georgetown University, University of North Carolina, University of Kansas, University of Michigan, Syracuse University, University of Kentucky, University of Virginia, University of California-Los Angeles, Vanderbilt University, Brown University, Princeton University, Cornell University, Harvard University, and Columbia University.

The high-caliber program’s director, Coach Jason Smith, says “We are very proud and happy for both Matas and Devin. Both of them were tremendous members of our community who had a tremendous work ethic and dream to play in the NBA. We wish them both continued success.”

Last year Brewster joined 13 other teams in Nike EYBL Scholastic, a national high school basketball league committed to elite competition. The school’s basketball program now has the EYBL National Team, its Prep Team (with seven National Prep Championships since 2010), Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Teams, and Boys’ and Girls’ JV teams.