The NBA spotlight has found a new star—and it’s Matas Buzelis, the 6-foot-10 rookie sensation whose meteoric rise has both basketball fans and card collectors captivated. Rising from relative obscurity in last year’s NBA Draft to a burgeoning rookie star, Buzelis has swiftly made his mark, both on the basketball court and within the collector’s market.
In a breakout appearance last Saturday, Buzelis delivered a performance that left the fiercely energetic crowd at the United Center and viewers at home in awe. Playing against the Los Angeles Lakers, he sliced through the court with ease and grace, amassing a career-high 31 points. Though his impressive point tally drew attention, it was his electrifying moves that truly dazzled. One highlight-laden moment that stood out involved Buzelis deftly maneuvering past Luka Doncic, the prodigious young star of the Dallas Mavericks, before executing an explosive one-handed dunk that sent a jolt of excitement rippling through the arena.
Initially selected 11th overall in the NBA Draft, Buzelis entered the league surrounded by questions—and flashes of undeniable potential. Over time, he’s methodically transformed those flashes into consistent brilliance, as reflected in his rising playing metrics since the All-Star break. Currently averaging 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in nearly 26 minutes per game, Buzelis is thriving within the Bulls’ fast-paced, aggressive framework.
While the court is an undisputed stage for Buzelis’ talents, another arena is mirroring his climb—the trading card market. Collectors, ever-savvy to emerging talent, have taken eager notice of Buzelis’ ascent. Since the launch of Panini’s 2024-25 Prizm NBA collection, there’s been a noticeable spike in the value and volume of his cards. Card Ladder, a trusted resource in the card collecting community, recorded a whopping 2,731 Buzelis card sales over just the first 25 days of March. Particularly notable are the 18 individual sales surpassing the $1,000 mark—an unprecedented surge compared to the pre-Prizm era.
Most remarkable among these sales were two standout transactions: a 2024-25 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie card, serial-numbered to five, which sold for $2,150, and a 2024-25 Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto card, one of 15, that fetched $2,194.69. These sales spotlight the newfound premium being placed on Buzelis’ cards, underscoring his position among the top players of his draft cohort. In remarkable fashion, he’s outpacing the likes of fellow draftees Zacharie Risacher, Alexandre Sarr, and even Stephon Castle in terms of high-value card sales.
The loop of Buzelis’ on-court success and off-court card appeal is synergistic. Propelled by his stellar performances, the demand and prices of his trading cards are poised to continue their ascent. It’s a notable shift for a player who initially came into the season overshadowed by flashier rookies; now, his game speaks volumes, reverberating through collector circles and the league at large.
Concurrently, the Chicago Bulls are navigating a transitory phase away from the DeRozan-LaVine era, crafting a new identity. This transformation couldn’t be more perfectly timed for Buzelis, who flourishes in his expanded role amidst the evolving team lineup. With Coby White’s rapid-fire pace and Josh Giddey’s orchestration playing into the Bulls’ strategies, Buzelis finds himself integrated seamlessly—a conduit of energy and creativity now leading the team in daring dunks and dynamic play.
At just 20, Buzelis embodies a remarkable blend of untapped potential, commendable poise, and an evident growth trajectory. Thanks to his unique size and remarkable skill set, he stands out as one of the most promising prospects in his class—an unforeseen gem in a rookie cohort that didn’t arrive with overwhelming expectations. His raw talent, paired with his unyielding development, makes him a compelling figure not just for fans of the game but for the serious collector in pursuit of the next big thing.
As the season progresses and Buzelis continues carving up defenses and thrilling audiences, his cards remain a hot commodity, his on-court charisma echoing through every card showcase and fan discussion. A surprise to some but justified for those in the know, Buzelis’ journey is an unfolding story of potential realized—one jump shot, drive, and collector’s sale at a time.
