The Windy City is swirling with anticipation not because of a wayward gust but due to the winds of change blowing through the Chicago Bulls’ roster—with Matas Buzelis at its helm. Drafted 11th overall, the 6’10” phenom has exceeded expectations, rapidly garnering attention not just for his game on the court but also for the skyrocketing value of his rookie cards off it.
Last Saturday, Buzelis burst out in spectacular fashion against the Los Angeles Lakers, notching a career-high of 31 points in a decisive blowout victory. Yet it wasn’t just about the numbers—it rarely is with athletes of Buzelis’ caliber. It was the flair, the fluidity with which he danced around defenders, and the gravity-defying leap past Luka Doncic to slam home a one-handed dunk that turned gasps into roars inside the arena. Bulls fans and card collectors alike saw a glimpse of potential fully realized.
As the post-All-Star break momentum has grown, so too has Buzelis’ presence in the Bulls’ rotation. His minutes have surged to 25.8 per outing, and he’s been averaging a respectable 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and just shy of a block per game. The Bulls’ shift towards a faster pace has given Buzelis the stage to flourish, and he’s taken center stage like a virtuoso in a symphony.
What does success on the court spell for Buzelis’ cards? In short, a frenzy. Collectors within the hobby market have been sprinting to nab a piece of his rising star. Through March’s first 25 days, Card Ladder tracked a staggering 2,731 card sales. Of these, 18 sales reached four figures—a stratosphere that remained unexplored until Panini released their 2024-25 Prizm NBA series.
Before this release, Buzelis’ cards saw moderate action, with his 2024 Prizm Draft Picks Black Prizm Auto 1/1 fetching $700 in January. Fast forward to now, that same card might be found lost among the dust, as collectors are now shelling out serious cash for Buzelis memorabilia. Highlight sales have included a sleek Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie /5 that fetched $2,150 and a rare Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto /15 which commanded $2,194.69.
In the freshman landscape of the NBA, Buzelis is rising through the ranks. The class of rookies this year was packed with potential, yet few stood out at the season’s onset. However, among peers, Buzelis stands tall and verified, as his 18 four-figure card sales in March outnumber top-choice Zacharie Risacher’s five, Alexandre Sarr’s singular effort, and even Rookie of the Year contender Stephon Castle’s respective sixteen.
Part of this ascent is a narrative twist few anticipated. Buzelis didn’t enter the league with a spotlight on par with his talented comrades, but his on-court prowess has spoken volumes. The chorus of demand echoing through the hobby market signifies that word is out: Matas Buzelis is a burgeoning star, and collectors are not wasting time.
Simultaneously, the Bulls are tinkering with their lineup, finding their bearings after the DeRozan-LaVine era. With Coby White zipping down the court and Josh Giddey orchestrating plays like a maestro, Buzelis has begun to carve out a role central to their future. His knack for dunks, both emphatic and plentiful, are a testament to his growing confidence and his statement as a cornerstone of Chicago’s evolving roster.
In a rookie class initially met with tempered expectations, Buzelis could well become the surprise hit. His amalgamation of sheer physicality, nimbleness, and poise at just 20 years old endows him with a ceiling as expansive as he wishes to make it. His development to date has been thrilling; if it continues on the current trajectory, the buzz surrounding his cards will only escalate, potentially becoming the golden ticket for collectors seeking the next enduring legend.
Matas Buzelis may be virtual tenderfoot in the grand tradition of basketball, yet his plays convey the maturity of a seasoned veteran. While raw talent lies in abundance, it is his subtle mastery and promise that mesmerize both fans in the upper deck of the stadium and card collectors scanning the market. As his rookie year unfolds, the excitement isn’t just palpable—it’s tangible, captured perfectly within the shining frames of a burgeoning rookie card collection.
