Welcome to the world of Matas Buzelis, the NBA’s latest rookie sensation who is turning heads faster than a halftime buzzer beater. When the Chicago Bulls drafted him at 11th overall in last year’s NBA draft, it didn’t create shockwaves across the league. But now, as this towering 6’10” forward steps deep into his rookie shoes, he’s shaking up more than just his teammates’ expectation—he’s shaking up the collector’s market.
Just last Saturday, Buzelis cemented his rising-star status with a career-defining performance against the Lakers. It wasn’t merely that he scored a staggering 31 points and led his team to a decisive blowout win. It was how he accomplished it. With the poise of a seasoned player, he zoomed past defensive stalwart Luka Doncic to deliver a thrilling, gravity-defying dunk. The display didn’t just ignite the court—it sent fans and analysts alike into a frenzy, buzzing over this up-and-coming talent.
Buzelis didn’t enter the league without his share of questions, though he began showing glimmers of elite potential. His recent performance seems to be the answer critics were waiting for. Since returning from the All-Star break with a switched-up demeanor and muscles amped to break records, Matas has earned an increased 25.8 minutes per game and is serving up an average of 11.9 points, grabbing 4.1 rebounds, dishing out 1.8 assists, and registering nearly a block per game. Clearly, the Chicago Bulls’ restructured, gung-ho style is benefitting Buzelis, pushing him to the forefront.
Collectible cards, especially NBA rookie cards, are big business. Matas’ breakout performances haven’t escaped the gaze of eager collectors yearning for the next golden investment. March saw the buzz transform into tangible excitement; Card Ladder recorded emerging evidence of a burgeoning market, totaling 2,731 Matas Buzelis card transactions. These figures include no fewer than 18 cards sold for $1,000 or more—a significant leap prompted by the recent unveiling of Panini’s 2024-25 Prizm NBA series.
Even before Prizm NBA’s impact, Matas’ rookie cards sparked interest. Notably, a 2024 Prizm Draft Picks Black Prizm Auto 1/1 fetched $700. Fast forward, and two of his Prizm cards have already topped the $2,000 threshold. A 2024-25 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie /5 found a proud new owner for $2,150, while a Snakeskin Auto /15 demanded an even higher $2,194.69. Collectors are clearly on board the Buzelis bandwagon, recognizing the rookie’s burgeoning star power.
Amidst an already talented rookie class, Buzelis now stands proudly in the conversation with peer draft picks. March witnessed him outshining production giants like first pick Zacharie Risacher and the diligently advancing Alexandre Sarr. While strong Rookie of the Year contender Stephon Castle had 16 emergent four-figure sales that period, Buzelis motivated 18—and counting.
What throws a contemporary twist to the tale is how Buzelis found himself sidelined during pre-season buzz. Yet here he is, letting his style and skill do the talking, commanding respect from fans and sparking an interest that resonates throughout the league’s collectors.
The Chicago Bulls are visibly evolving, embracing an era beyond the DeRozan-LaVine days. As promising teammates Coby White and Josh Giddey orchestrate, Buzelis carves out his space, asserting dominance as the team’s dunk leader and exuding growing confidence game after game.
Buzelis didn’t walk into this rookie season wrapped with hype, though he very well might walk out as one of its biggest surprises. The synergy of size, skill, and fluidity bestows upon him a remarkably high ceiling—a 20-year-old epitome of potential showing poise analogous to seasoned professionals and creating excitement worth an entire league.
The conversations around Buzelis are only amplifying. For NBA collectors, his performances are too grand to overlook; for fans, they’re too mesmerizing to miss. As Buzelis fuels the Bulls’ fresh era with athletic zeal, it’s clear that this is just the beginning. For card collectors and NBA enthusiasts, hanging on to—or acquiring—his cards just might prove wise, as this player’s ascent on both the hardwood floor and collectible market seems destined to become a highlight reel of its own.
