In the ever-moving carnival that is the NBA season, an unexpected performer has strolled into the spotlight, catching the attention of not only sports fans but also enthusiasts in an entirely different realm: the world of trading card collectors. Matas Buzelis, a towering 6’10” rookie for the Chicago Bulls, has exploded onto the scene and is quickly becoming the talk of the town—and his growing legion of fans spans courtside seats to collectors’ showcases.
Buzelis’ latest act on the hardwood was nothing short of a spectacle. In a recent match-up that saw the Bulls trounce the Lakers, Buzelis poured in a career-best 31 points, but it wasn’t just the numbers on the stat sheet that had everyone talking. One particular moment, in which he deftly danced past the renowned Luka Doncic to deliver an electrifying, rim-rattling one-handed dunk, set the arena ablaze with buzz and is the type of instant highlight that legends are built on.
Drafted 11th overall, Buzelis entered the league with whispers of potential surrounding him. These whispers have turned into applause as since the All-Star break, Buzelis has been playing with heightened minutes—25.8 per game to be exact—averaging a respectable 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and just under a block per game. The Bulls, embracing a new playstyle focused on speed and aggression, have seen Buzelis thrive, adapting to their up-tempo system like a duck to water.
This rise in performance hasn’t gone unnoticed in the collector’s market, where the passion for NBA cards reverberates every time a new promising star emerges. The numbers are in, and it’s clear: Buzelis is the flavor of the month. Card Ladder, a tracker of card transactions, has recorded 2,731 sales of Buzelis cards in just 25 days. This includes an impressive 18 transactions worth over $1,000—a feat unimaginable before Panini unleashed its 2024-25 Prizm NBA collection.
Take January for comparison: the hottest Buzelis card sale back then was a 2024 Prizm Draft Picks Black Prizm Auto 1/1, which made a modest $700 exchange. Since then, the release of Prizm NBA has shot his card values into the stratosphere. Two particular cards, the 2024-25 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie /5 and the 2024-25 Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto /15, have sold for $2,150 and $2,194.69 respectively—a testament to the belief in Buzelis’ potential.
Rookie comparisons are inevitable in this league, and Buzelis is currently creating quite the chatter among his class. The likes of Zacharie Risacher, who was selected first overall, have also seen substantial sales with five four-figure card sales reported in March. Meanwhile, another top rookie, Stephon Castle, who is gunning for a Rookie of the Year title, boasts 16 such sales. In the middle of this mix is Buzelis, quietly and steadily clocking in 18 sales of similar stature, with more seemingly on the horizon.
What makes Buzelis’ rise particularly fascinating is the comparatively low fanfare he entered the season with. He wasn’t bestowed with the shimmering spotlight that tends to accompany high-pick rookies. Instead, Buzelis has let his game speak for itself, and the world is now beginning to listen attentively.
The changing face of the Chicago Bulls further amplifies Buzelis’ impact. With the franchise shifting its gaze beyond the DeRozan-LaVine era, we see a new foundation taking shape. Coby White’s swift style and Josh Giddey’s perceptive playmaking open the floor for Buzelis, who has carved his niche with his knack for slamming the ball home and increasingly assured play. He leads the team in dunks, an indicator that his confidence is inflating as fast as his card prices.
There’s no denying it—a rookie class that arrived with muted expectations is likely witnessing its underdog hero in Buzelis. His blend of size, agility, and refined court awareness positions him as one of the class’s most promising talents. As Buzelis evolves, so too will the excitement around his future, both as an athlete and a collectible.
Despite his rawness—which is to be expected at just 20 years of age—Buzelis conducts himself with a composure beyond his years. He’s delivering performances that are attention-grabbing for both fans willing to cheer every dunk and collectors eager to hold on to his shimmering cards with the expectation that their value will soar alongside his burgeoning career. With every game he grows, and with him, incalculably, grows the anticipation for what lies ahead. The only sure bet is that Buzelis has not only broken out; he has broken free, leaving behind a trail of dunk highlights, rising card values, and a tantalizing hint of greatness.
