The NBA is a universe where every rookie enters with a tale of potential and promises of greatness. However, every so often, an unexpected star emerges from the draft class woodwork, lighting up the court and capturing the imagination of fans and collectors alike. Enter Matas Buzelis, a 6’10” sensation drafted by the Chicago Bulls, who is setting the League on fire while simultaneously fueling a frenzy in the sports card market.
Matas Buzelis, chosen as the 11th pick in last year’s NBA draft, has been quietly lurking in the shadows, biding his time amidst a class filled with budding stars and well-known names. But all that subtly changed when the Bulls faced off against the Lakers last Saturday. Under the bright lights of the arena, Buzelis delivered an electrifying performance, dropping a career-high 31 points and treating the crowd to an awe-inspiring display of athleticism. The highlight of the night? A jaw-dropping moment where he left Luka Doncic behind in his tracks, driving to the hoop for a one-handed dunk that soared as much as the stadium’s decibels.
This game wasn’t just a random peak; it signaled the dawn of Buzelis’ potential. Before this breakout, skeptics had their reservations about the rookie’s consistency and readiness. Nevertheless, Buzelis is steadily dissolving these doubts with every dribble. Post-All-Star break, his minutes have surged, arriving at an average of 25.8 per game. His stats are now standing at an impressive 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and just shy of a block per game. In the Bulls’ fast-paced system, his game is flourishing, making him a vital cog in Chicago’s on-court evolution.
While Buzelis sluices through defenses, the collector’s market races to keep pace. The trading card community operates with its heartbeat—sensitive to fluctuations in player performances and market trends. Matas Buzelis cards have become a hot commodity, with collectors snapping them up like limited edition sneakers on launch day. In March alone, Card Ladder has recorded a whopping 2,731 sales of Buzelis’ cards. Noteworthy among these are the 18 sales exceeding the $1,000 mark—an unheard-of achievement pre-2024-25 Prizm NBA release.
Before the release of Prizm NBA, the peak transaction for one of Buzelis’ cards was a mere $700 for his 2024 Prizm Draft Picks Black Prizm Auto 1/1. Now, post-Prizm, two of his collectibles have shattered the $2,000 ceiling: the 2024-25 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie /5 sold for an impressive $2,150, and the 2024-25 Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto /15 fetched a dazzling $2,194.69. This surge reflects a growing conviction that Buzelis is a name to watch closely.
In the rookie card hierarchy, Buzelis is locking horns with some of the brightest talents of his draft class. Top pick Zacharie Risacher has commanded a handful of sales crossing the four-figure mark in March, while Alexandre Sarr trails slightly. Meanwhile, Stephon Castle, the favorite in the Rookie of the Year discourse, boasts 16 such sales during the same stretch. Buzelis, however, strides ahead with 18—and we’re not done counting.
Interestingly, Buzelis didn’t burst into the season under the pressure of glaring spotlights like some of his peers. Instead, as the Bulls undergo a metamorphosis post the DeRozan-LaVine chapter, a new era is taking shape. The team’s dynamics are evolving with an energetic pace. Coby White’s rapid strides and Josh Giddey’s vision have carved a niche for Buzelis, who is making the most of it. He commands the slam-dunk leaderboard for the Bulls and makes headlines with each game as if scribbling his calling card for the future.
For a rookie ensconced in a class characterized by limited pre-season fanfare, Matas Buzelis is turning out to be an unexpected revelation. His compelling blend of stature, finesse, and agility denotes one of the highest ceilings in recent memory. His raw skill set, significant though it is, blends seamlessly with a cool poise that betrays his tender age of 20.
As for collectors and enthusiasts, the ongoing Buzelis show is far from a quiet affair. It roars with the kind of intrigue that compels people to clutch playbills tightly and eagerly reach for their wallets. If this ascent continues unimpeded, the roar around Buzelis’ cards—and of course, his career—won’t just continue; it will crescendo to symphonic heights.
