In a dazzling twist of fate, the NBA’s latest sensation isn’t a top draft pick or a predicted prodigy but rather Matas Buzelis—a 6’10” revelation—who has burst onto the scene and electrified audiences across the globe. Saturday night under the bright lights witnessed Buzelis delivering a masterclass against the formidable Los Angeles Lakers, chalking up a personal best of 31 points. The young Bulls’ forward didn’t just play; he captivated, especially when his audacious maneuver past superstar Luka Doncic ended in a crowd-rousing, gravity-defying dunk. It’s a performance that practically demands attention and catapults the rookie into the realms of unexpected celebrity.
Buzelis, selected 11th in a draft class rich with promise but also laden with uncertainties, arrived as a somewhat enigmatic figure. Critics and sports analysts questioned his readiness and resilience. Yet, since the NBA’s rejuvenation post-All-Star break, he’s effectively silenced skeptics. Now logging about 25.8 minutes per game, Buzelis averages an admirable 11.9 points along with notable contributions in rebounds, assists, and defense. It is evident that under the team’s reimagined, fast-paced, and aggressive strategy, Buzelis is thriving and his contributions are the very definition of impactful.
While the sports arena takes notice of Buzelis’s escalating gameplay, an equally intriguing subplot unfurls in the memorabilia market. With almost the same fervor as his on-court saga, collectors have engaged in a feverish pursuit of Buzelis’s trading cards. As reported by Card Ladder, the first few weeks of March alone saw an astounding 2,731 transactions involving Buzelis’s memorabilia. Among these, an impressive collection surpass the $1,000 mark—a realm that remained unexplored prior to the sensation of Panini’s 2024-25 Prizm NBA release.
Remarkably, prior to Panini’s Prizm release, a noteworthy Black Prizm Auto 1/1 card fetched merely $700—a number that now seems quaint in light of recent sales. Two standout examples highlight this trend: the 2024-25 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie /5, netting a cool $2,150, and an even more dazzling Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto /15, which fetched $2,194.69. These sales underscore a burgeoning appreciation for Buzelis’s potential and the consequent investor value his card represents.
Among his peers, Buzelis now shares the spotlight typically reserved for high-ranking draft picks. In terms of card sales in March alone, he outpaces notable contemporaries; Zacharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr’s card sales tell contrasting tales, with Buzelis eclipsing them comfortably. Even Stephon Castle, a prominent Rookie of the Year candidate, trails Buzelis in the number of high-value sales.
The Bulls’ strategic pivot away from the DeRozan-LaVine era has been instrumental to Buzelis’s dynamism. With teammates Coby White and Josh Giddey crafting opportunities, Buzelis is seamlessly slotting into the Bulls’ new blueprint. He now leads the team in dunks, a testament to his growing confidence and assertive play style—a development that’s hard to ignore, whether you’re a fan on the sidelines or an analyst in a studio.
With a rookie class that arrived with bated breath but not quite the fanfare of previous years, Buzelis now stands as one of the class’s luminescent surprises. His unique blend of size, elegance, and raw potential sets him apart and points towards an extraordinary future. As he taps further into his capabilities and refines his approach, the clamor surrounding his trading cards—and his name—is destined to grow.
Raw? Certainly. But this 20-year-old is exhibiting glimpses of greatness. The poise with which he plays, often against more seasoned opponents, and his consistently entertaining performances cannot be overlooked. Both fans of the sport and collectors of memorabilia find themselves mesmerized. As he continues to hone his skills, don’t be surprised if Matas Buzelis becomes not only the name on everyone’s lips but also the prized card in every collector’s album.