March Madness is a time of year when college hoops fans go into overdrive, staying glued to their screens as buzzer-beaters and clutch performances become par for the course. It’s not just basketballs that are being passed around, though—trading cards are experiencing their own flurry of activity as collectors feverishly chase after the budding stars of the tournament. The Sweet Sixteen is well underway, and with scouts almost indiscernible in the shadows and fans on the edge of their seats, there has never been a better time for promising prospects to boost not only their draft potential but also their trading card value.
Let’s dive into the vibrant world of trading cards, where the demand is as intense as a full-court press defense.
Cooper Flagg from Duke is a name hot on everyone’s lips, swiftly ascending in basketball lore and, unsurprisingly, in the hearts of card collectors too. At a towering 6’8″, this freshman phenom was always expected to be a sensation, and Flagg is proving to be exactly that—continuously dominating games and headlines alike. It’s little wonder that card collectors are enthusiastically snapping up every chance to own a piece of Flagg’s meteoric rise. The recent jaw-dropping sale of his 2024 Topps Chrome McDonald’s All-American Red Refractor Auto /5 PSA 10 for a cool $11,000 (a $1,500 jump from just two days prior) highlights the fever pitch reached for a player who hasn’t yet stepped foot on an NBA court but already commands the market of an NBA All-Star.
Meanwhile, Maryland’s Derik Queen has achieved climatic fame with a single buzzer-beater, thrusting him and his card’s value into the limelight. Queen’s game-winning shot sent Maryland into the Sweet Sixteen, and Topps quickly immortalized the moment with a Bowman U Now card. Queen has previously caught the collector community’s interest with his impressive November performance where his 22-point, 20-rebound night earned him a spotlight. His Bowman U Now card’s 1/1 Superfractor can be a testament to that, having been sold for $599. With a fresh card drop numbered to 10, 5, and 1, Queen’s trading card allure is set to be as captivating as a crossover move on the court.
Enter Kon Knueppel, another Duke standout, whose name may cause a double-take, but his basketball skills are clear and direct. He’s quietly climbing draft boards akin to a steady climb up a mountain trail, gaining momentum as he lights up scoreboards. His own moment in the spotlight came after a 25-point explosion against Miami, subsequently captured on a collectible card that fetched $230 on March 19. Knueppel isn’t content with just one accolade piece; his ACC Tournament MVP performance is also preserved in cardboard form. His trajectory in the card market and draft rooms alike burgeons alongside his rising statistics.
Then we have Carter Bryant from Arizona, who seems purpose-built for today’s NBA at 6’8” and excelling with his defensive prowess and perimeter skills. His card presence, however, lingers in more humble circles for now. But they whisper of potential—like rare finds buried under plain sight. Base Prizm Draft cards, still accessible at around a dollar, could see a stock-market-like surge if Bryant’s performance against Duke echoes louder than a final buzzer. More rare pieces of Bryant’s cardboard portrayal, like his /25 autograph priced at $49.99 and a Black Gold /5 that reached $102.50, hint at the potential appreciation should he seize the moment under a national spotlight.
Duke seems to be an incubator of talent this season, with Isaiah Demonte Evans as yet another name to watch. Despite a limited on-court presence thus far, Evans stands as a tantalizing prospect. Ranked No. 15 in last year’s recruiting class, this cautious watchful eye hasn’t yet translated to massive card sales, but momentum can shift faster than a defensive breakdown. His 2024 Topps McDonald’s All-American Drive-Thru Superfractor 1/1 commanded just under $200, while a Jersey Patch Auto /5 went for $275. Should Evans shine in extended minutes, those sales figures could escalate more rapidly than a fast-break layup.
The gathering storm of the Sweet Sixteen brings heightened attention, NBA potential, and the allure of a sizzling market, combining into a symphony that could strike the right chords for both collectors and prospective players. For those seeking the next big ticket in card collecting, there’s no better time than this pivotal moment when the nation is engrossed, and the market is on the edge, eagerly awaiting its next hero.