Billy Donovan believes accountability is central to helping Matas Buzelis continue to develop, and he values the young forward’s approach to handling mistakes, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
The Chicago Bulls head coach said his focus isn’t on results like shot-making, but on habits and decisions that translate to winning basketball.
“I’m just trying to put on him the things that he can control that would impact winning, regardless of if he’s making or missing shots,” Donovan said.
He added that Buzelis processes feedback constructively and applies it moving forward.
“He just kind of can move forward and take the information and figure out where he’s got to get better and how he’s got to get better, and I admire that about him.”
Donovan emphasized that Buzelis doesn’t deflect blame or shut down after errors, which separates him from many young players.
“He’s not a guy that buries his head where you gotta pick him up, ‘Come on, everything is going to be OK.’ You never have to do that with him,” Donovan said.
Instead, the coach noted that Buzelis takes ownership immediately.
“He always comes back with, ‘I messed that up, I messed this up, I gotta be better, I’ve got to put my body here.’”
That mindset is what Donovan finds most encouraging.
“I appreciate that,” he said. “There’s never, ever from him, ‘Well, but this …’ Never does that. I think he really utilizes mistakes as a way to grow.”
Coach Billy Donovan explains why he sat Matas Buzelis for the entire fourth quarter on Wednesday, plus more on the Bulls. https://t.co/y6YiMg1Myp
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 18, 2026
