Central Division Updates: Buzelis to Suit Up for Lithuania; Atkinson Scouts Niang; Gunn Works Out for Pacers; McCaffery Returns to G League Staff
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Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis will make his first appearance with Lithuania’s senior national team this summer. The 21-year-old is expected to play in the opening window of 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying, which features matchups against Great Britain on July 2 and Italy on July 5.
Buzelis told BasketNews he hopes to remain with the squad for the second qualifying window in August, but his status will depend on Chicago’s decision. “I like to finish what I start, but the Bulls will make the decision,” he said.
Cavaliers
Head coach Kenny Atkinson traveled to Venice, Italy, this week to watch draft-and-stash forward Saliou Niang compete in the Lega Basket Serie A semifinals. Cleveland selected the 22-year-old with the 58th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Playing for Virtus Bologna this season, Niang averaged 7.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.9 steals in 21.7 minutes over 38 EuroLeague games. Virtus trails Reyer Venezia 1-2 in the best-of-five series.
Pacers
Indianapolis native CJ Gunn, fresh off his senior year at DePaul, worked out for Indiana on Wednesday as he begins his professional career. The 6-foot-6 wing recently spent several weeks with the Calgary Surge in the Canadian Elite Basketball League and has been receiving guidance from veteran NBA guard Gary Harris. “Our families are close, so he’s like my cousin,” Gunn said. “After workouts we sit down and talk about what coaches are looking for and his mindset when he went through this.”
Indiana is also adding a familiar face to its G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom. Former Iowa guard Connor McCaffery is returning to the organization as a player development assistant. McCaffery held an entry-level position with the Pacers during the 2023/24 season before spending the past two years on Butler’s coaching staff.
Source: Hoops Rumors
