If the NBA courts were a stage, Matas Buzelis would be stealing the limelight in a riveting breakout performance. Once drafted as the Chicago Bulls’ 11th overall pick, some skeptics had their doubts, but oh, how the tables have turned. This 6’10” rookie has exploded into the spotlight, leaving basketball fans everywhere in awe and card collectors scrambling in excitement.
Breaking free from the shackles of obscurity, Buzelis dazzled the court with an unforgettable display against the Los Angeles Lakers, ringing up a career-high 31 points. Yet, it wasn’t just the numbers that left a mark. The rookie offered fans a feast of basketball brilliance, highlighted by a jaw-dropping sequence where he outmaneuvered none other than Luka Doncic. With dexterity that belied his age and experience, he surged past the NBA superstar to throw down a soaring one-handed jam, a moment that cemented both his presence on the court and the buzz reverberating through the stadium.
Last year, when Buzelis stepped into the league, curiosity surrounded his potential. Questions fluttered: Could he live up to the glimpses of greatness he’d shown? Skeptics lingered, ready to pounce. Fast forward a couple of months, and those questions are being answered emphatically through stellar performances and solid statistics. Since the All-Star break, Buzelis’ court time has surged to 25.8 minutes per game, averaging 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and nearly a block each outing. Such numbers reflect not just individual improvement but also highlight the Chicago Bulls’ strategic shift to a more vibrant and aggressive style—one that Buzelis meshes with like paint to a canvas.
In a league driven by talent and star power, it’s hardly surprising that attention from basketball aficionados isn’t the only thing Buzelis’ rise has triggered. Enter the realm of collectors—an arena where cardboard treasures are revered like relics of yore. With Buzelis’ emergence, card enthusiasts have taken notice, mirroring the market explosion in real time. As reported by Card Ladder, March witnessed a flurry of activity with 2,731 Buzelis card sales, a jaw-dropping indication of the rookie’s burgeoning allure.
Before the much-hyped Prizm NBA collection’s release, Buzelis’ top card sale glimmered at $700—a respectable figure, though miles from its current potential. Post Prizm, this number was left proverbial dusted, with two remarkable sales climbing past the $2,000 threshold. His Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie /5 fetched a cool $2,150, while the Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto /15 sealed the deal at $2,194.69—a figure as precise as it is indicative of collectors’ growing frenzy.
How does Buzelis stack up against his draft contemporaries, you ask? Like any great mystery, the intrigue builds. When comparing him to his peers, Buzelis’ card sales dazzle; they outshine top pick Zacharie Risacher, whose cards clocked in with five four-figure sales. Alexandre Sarr followed with a single four-figure sale, while even Stephon Castle—whose Rookie of the Year candidacy has garnered much attention—paled with 16 such sales. Buzelis? He delivered 18 (and counting), bearing testament to his market evolution from anonymous to must-have.
The backdrop of Buzelis’ ascension is the Bulls’ metamorphosis as they turn the page from the DeRozan-LaVine chapter to one dominated by newer talents. A fresh core starring Coby White’s velocity and Josh Giddey’s courtcraft had positioned Buzelis to flourish. With youthful enthusiasm and natural gifts, he has leapt to the forefront, delivering dunk after spectacular dunk and exuding confidence with each passing match.
In what was once a rookie class mired by modest expectations, Buzelis is carving a narrative of upward mobility. His imposing stature paired with nimble skills and seamless fluidity make his potential ceiling a sky-high proposition. For Matas Buzelis, an unpolished yet undeniably poised 20-year-old, the future shines invitingly, its allure mirrored by his ascending card values. Enthusiasts, be they fans admiring on court feats or collectors looking to seize cardboard gold, unite in consensus—Buzelis’ numbers may be on a meteoric rise, but his promise transcends statistics. As long as he continues mesmerizing onlookers with captivating performances, expect the buzz to keep growing, both in arenas and in hobby markets.