In the vibrant landscape of the NBA, where rookies are more often met with caution than celebration, Matas Buzelis is swiftly flipping the script, captivating both fans and card collectors with his extraordinary on-court flair. If you’ve been watching the Bulls lately or have a keen eye on the sports card market, you’re probably hearing Buzelis’ name more and more. It’s not just that he’s producing on the court—it’s how he’s doing it. Saturday night’s game against the Lakers was a prime example as he erupted for a career-high 31 points, blending flair with efficiency in a scintillating performance.
Standing at 6’10”, Buzelis showcases a combination of speed, skill, and athleticism that leaves both defenders and fans stunned. There’s a palpable excitement every time he touches the ball, heightened when he effortlessly maneuvers around formidable opponents like Luka Doncic, culminating in a soaring, one-handed dunk that sent ripples of excitement throughout the arena. No wonder there’s a buzz around this 11th overall pick in the NBA Draft—he was projected to be a scrappy player with potential, and now that potential is turning into palpable, thrilling reality.
Since the All-Star break, the Bulls have carved a new identity around Buzelis’ emerging game; his minutes have jumped, and he’s logging averages that suggest only further growth: 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, along with an impressive knack for blocking shots. His ascent has been aided by the Bulls’ shift toward a more dynamic playstyle, oft-emphasizing speed and aggression—an environment where Buzelis seems to thrive.
Collectors, meanwhile, are fast to follow the on-court narrative that Buzelis is crafting. The card collecting community is ablaze, with Card Ladder documenting a staggering 2,731 transactions of Buzelis’ cards in just the first few weeks of March. High-value sales, a rarity pre-Prizm NBA, have become commonplace. Evidenced best by two recent notable auctions: a 2024-25 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie card fetching $2,150 and a 2024-25 Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto going for an impressive $2,194.69. These burgeoning figures reflect a dramatic turnaround from January’s top sale of only $700 for his Prizm Draft Picks Black Prizm Auto 1/1.
But where does Buzelis sit among his peers? In the carousel of rookie cards dominated by top draftees, his 18 sales surpassing the four-figure mark stand out. While Zacharie Risacher, the draft’s wunderkind, posted a respectful five substantial sales and Stephon Castle, the front-runner for Rookie of the Year, landed 16, Buzelis’ robust performance in the marketplace and on the basketball court ensure his rising status cannot be ignored.
The landscape in Chicago is also morphing. The winds of change have favored newcomers as the team transitions from the DeRozan-LaVine era to a promising new core led by emerging talents like Coby White and Josh Giddey. This shift has provided Buzelis the creative space to develop and exhibit his abilities more confidently. He’s not just participating—he’s redefining. Currently leading the team in dunks, every move and play seems to underwrite his potential, writing a narrative of optimism and promise for the Bulls’ future.
While this rookie class entered the season with little fanfare, Buzelis could end as one of the unexpected triumphs. His combination of size, skill, and fluidity positions him with one of the class’s highest ceilings. If he continues down this path, both fans and collectors are in for an enthralling ride. Beyond his undeniable talent is the promise that, while raw and young at 20 years, he’s displaying a poise that promises longevity. Each game adds another layer to the compelling story of a rookie poised to surprise everyone, himself included.
As the season unfolds, whether you’re a fervent fan of the game or a collector eager to see if your investment pays dividends, keeping an eye on Buzelis seems more prudent every passing day. With such potential and the market responding in kind, his cards—and career—are just getting warmed up. The unpredictable yet exciting nature of sports ensures one thing: the saga of Matas Buzelis is just beginning, and it’s a story that’s impossible to look away from.
