In the high-stakes world of professional basketball, it’s often the seemingly quiet arrivals that eventually make the most noise. Enter Matas Buzelis, the Chicago Bulls rookie who seems to have caught everyone off guard with his recent explosive performances. Standing at an imposing 6’10”, Buzelis is quickly emerging as a top-tier player from last year’s NBA Draft, much to the delight of both Bulls fans and basketball card collectors.
Last Saturday proved to be a momentous day for this young phenom as he delivered a career-high 31 points against the Los Angeles Lakers, a team known for its rich history and star-studded roster. Yet, it wasn’t just the volume of points that left fans in awe—it was the sheer artistry and audacity with which he scored them. Buzelis treated everyone to a jaw-dropping spectacle, complete with a gravity-defying one-handed dunk that saw him soaring past none other than Luka Doncic. The play not only electrified the arena but also reverberated through the sporting community, signaling that a new star was on the rise.
Selected 11th overall in the draft, Buzelis entered the league as something of an enigma. Scouts were divided: some were wary of his adaptability to the NBA’s brutal pace, while others were captivated by his raw potential and versatility. Now, those who dared to dream of his potential are witnessing its realization. Since the All-Star break, Buzelis has seized the opportunity for increased minutes, logging an impressive 25.8 minutes per game while contributing an average of 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and nearly one block per game. His performance has been a boon to the Bulls, who are reinventing themselves with a faster, more offensive-minded strategy.
Meanwhile, in the realm of collectibles, it’s as if a frenzy has erupted. The card-collecting community is notorious for its quick reflexes regarding potential—and they’re now all-in on Buzelis. The numbers speak for themselves: within the first 25 days of March alone, his rookie cards became the object of 2,731 transactions, according to Card Ladder. More eye-popping still is the fact that 18 of these sales crossed into the four-digit territory following the release of Panini’s 2024-25 Prizm NBA series.
Prior to this, Buzelis’ card values hovered in more modest territory; his 2024 Prizm Draft Picks Black Prizm Auto 1/1 was his standout sale at $700. However, with the unveiling of the Prizm NBA series, the floodgates opened. Two of his cards have since eclipsed the $2,000 mark: the 2024-25 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie /5 snagged $2,150, while the Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto /15 fetched an even more impressive $2,194.69.
Compared to his counterparts from the draft class, Buzelis has catapulted himself into the upper echelons of rookie chatter. The draft’s number one pick, Zacharie Risacher, has seen five card sales in the thousand-dollar range in March, while Alexandre Sarr and Rookie of the Year hopeful Stephon Castle have seen one and sixteen, respectively. But Buzelis, despite entering the season shrouded in comparative obscurity, has outdone them all with eighteen substantial sales—and counting.
The Bulls’ pivot away from their past focal points—names like DeRozan and LaVine—signals the dawn of a new era in Chicago basketball. Under this fresh regime, Buzelis is flourishing. Paired with Coby White’s speed and Josh Giddey’s exceptional court vision, Buzelis has carved out a key role on the team. Displaying tenacity and proving lethal around the basket, he leads the team in dunks and is visibly brimming with confidence each time he takes to the court.
While this year’s rookie roster didn’t initially inspire much chatter or excitement, Buzelis is determined to alter that narrative entirely. His combination of towering size, advanced skill set, and fluid style of play is a tantalizing blend that offers one of the highest ceilings amongst his peers. Should his progression continue unchecked, the buzz surrounding his rookie cards is poised to become a roaring frenzy.
At just 20 years of age, Buzelis is raw yet undeniably brimming with potential and maturity beyond his years on the court. His calm under pressure and ability to deliver head-turning performances are earning him respect from press and collectors alike. Whether you’re a Bulls fan or simply someone who appreciates a good underdog story, there’s an undeniable thrill in watching Buzelis’ star ascend—and, by the looks of it, he’s only just begun.