In the ever-evolving world of the NBA, every season brings its share of fresh-faced newcomers ready to make a mark. This year, one of those promising rookies turning heads and hearts is none other than Matas Buzelis, the Chicago Bulls’ towering 6’10” dynamo. Not initially pegged as the crown jewel of last year’s NBA Draft, Buzelis has been commanding respect and changing perceptions with his electrifying performances on the court. As he dazzles the basketball world, collectors of sports memorabilia are quickly catching on, leading to a spike in the demand and value of his rookie cards.
The latest firecracker performance came against the Los Angeles Lakers. In a blowout victory, Buzelis showcased his full arsenal, netting a personal best of 31 points. It wasn’t just the bucket count that had tongues wagging—it was the style in which he collected them. From blow-by dribbles leaving defenders flummoxed to emphatic, gravity-defying dunks, Buzelis delivered a highlight that was the basketball equivalent of a firework display. One particular move—a swift glide past Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic culminating in a majestic one-handed jam—has become the talk of basketball town, etching itself into the annals of Bulls’ highlight reels.
Delving deeper into Buzelis’ journey, fans will find it one marked by skepticism and promise. Selected 11th overall, Buzelis entered the league with a spectrum of question marks abutting his potential. However, he hasn’t let the doubters define him. Particularly since the All-Star break, Buzelis has seen a notable increase in both playing time and his on-court contributions, averaging a solid 25.8 minutes per game. Within those hard-fought minutes, he’s tallied an average of 11.9 points, collected 4.1 rebounds, handed out 1.8 assists, and swatted away nearly a block per encounter. Not too shabby for a rookie still finding his feet on the pro stage.
The Bulls’ strategy has pivoted toward a more dynamic and aggressive style, and therein lies the secret sauce behind Buzelis’ burgeoning breakthrough. The new system, now free of the old reliables like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, allows players like Buzelis to explore and expand their roles. With teammates like Coby White and Josh Giddey creating plays, Buzelis is thriving as he flies past defenders with ease and ups his dunk count, gaining confidence, and exhibiting poise that belies his age.
And as if his contributions on the hardwood aren’t enough to whet the appetites of fans, Buzelis has also garnered the attention of sports card enthusiasts who seem to believe as much in his promise as his coaches do. Thanks to platforms like Card Ladder, it’s evident that interest in Buzelis’ trading cards is skyrocketing. March alone saw upwards of 2,731 Buzelis card transactions, with quite a few fetching over $1,000 a pop—impressive figures that far surpass those prior to the Panini’s 2024-25 Prizm NBA release, an iconic milestone for any card collection.
In the realm of high-stakes collectibles, money talks, and Buzelis’ cards are conversing at the high end of the market spectrum. Two standout cards have recently traded hands for figures exceeding $2,000. The 2024-25 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie numbered to only five sold for $2,150, matched closely by the 2024-25 Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto, limited to fifteen, which fetched an enviable $2,194.69.
Comparatively, Buzelis has entered the echelon of top rookies this year. His rise sees him aligned with names like Zacharie Risacher and Stephon Castle, who were already basking in the limelight. Risacher has five four-figure card sales this March, Castle an impressive sixteen, but it’s Buzelis who sits comfortably with eighteen—and counting—such lucrative deals.
This meteoric ascension in the eyes of collectors and fans alike speaks volumes to how Buzelis’ game is captivating attention, acting as a mouthpiece for his remarkable skill set. There’s no doubt that he’s leaped into the conversation, securing his place among the elite of his draft class through merit rather than media hype.
As the Bulls redefine themselves with a new generation of talent, Buzelis stands at the forefront as a beacon of hope and potential. For someone who perhaps didn’t enter the season under the literal and figurative spotlight, this is a story of grit transforming into greatness. He’s still raw, undeniably, but with every game, Buzelis nudges closer to fulfilling his vast potential. At 20 years old, the stage is set for him to etch his name among the greats, as those who collect his cards, his fans, and the NBA audience watch eagerly, waiting to see what magic he’ll conjure next.
