The Windy City has always been a hub of basketball history with names that resonate through the ages, but the new kid on the block is making sure his roar is heard above the Chicago din. Matas Buzelis, standing tall at an impressive 6’10”, is turning heads and dropping jaws with his breakout performances as a rookie for the Chicago Bulls—acting like a cool gust of renewal for a team forging a new identity in the post-DeRozan-LaVine era.
Last Saturday witnessed one such renewal in vigor and excitement when Buzelis erupted for a career-high 31 points against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bulls didn’t just topple the Lakers; they trampled them in a landslide victory that left fans and collectors buzzing. What was most captivating wasn’t just the point tally but the sheer artistry of Buzelis’ gameplay, like a maestro effortlessly conducting a symphony on the court. The highlight of the evening was a spectacular sequence where he outmaneuvered none other than Luka Doncic—a name synonymous with basketball excellence—and finished with a truly breathtaking one-handed dunk.
Originally selected 11th overall, Buzelis entered the NBA with some raised eyebrows, skepticism about his transition into the league, and curious whispers of his potential. However, since the All-Star break, he’s been playing as if he’s shedding layers of doubt with each game. His minutes have surged to a respectable 25.8 per game, with averages of 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and just shy of a block per game. The Bulls’ new faster-paced, attacking playstyle seems to have unlocked something special in the rookie prodigy, who has become an essential cog in their evolving machine.
While Buzelis asserts his presence on the court, a different kind of storm is brewing among collectors who have set their eyes on his trading cards. There is a palpable rush, a frenzy even, as the hobby market scrambles to seize a piece of Buzelis magic. Only 25 days into the month of March, the diligent folks at Card Ladder noted no fewer than 2,731 sales of Buzelis’ cards. It’s a remarkable figure, especially considering 18 of those sales exceeded a $1,000 price tag, driven primarily by the release of Panini’s 2024-25 Prizm NBA series.
Not long ago, in January, Buzelis’ 2024 Prizm Draft Picks Black Prizm Auto 1/1 card fetched $700—a respectable figure for a yet-to-prove rookie. Fast forward a few weeks and this number now looks quaint. Since the release of the Prizm NBA collection, two of Buzelis’ cards have skyrocketed beyond the $2,000 apex, with figures climbing steadily: the Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie out of five went for $2,150, while the Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto, numbered out of 15, claimed an impressive $2,194.69.
This surge in card value doesn’t just reflect monetary enthusiasm; it’s also a certifiable endorsement of Buzelis’ ascent in the ranks among his peers. March has seen draft class compatriots like top pick Zacharie Risacher with five high-value card sales and another peer, Alexandre Sarr, with one. Stephon Castle, strongly tipped for Rookie of the Year honors, has recorded 16 such sales. Yet, Buzelis confidently saunters past with an astonishing 18 sales—clearly, his game is doing the talking now, even if the initial spotlight shone elsewhere.
As the Chicago Bulls revamp under a new banner, moving away from stars of the past, a new constellation seems to be emerging, with Buzelis as a crucial component. Currently leading the team in electrifying dunks, Matas’ confidence and gameplay prowess grow visibly with each match. His performances are indicative of a rookie not merely surviving in the league but thriving, and pushing his boundaries with every possession.
The irony doesn’t escape avid NBA followers and collectors alike—when the season commenced, this rookie class wasn’t perceived with much fanfare. Yet, Buzelis’ combination of towering size, gracious skill, and exuberant energy offers him one of the most promising trajectories. If the current buzz around him is any indication, Buzelis might just end up being not only a great player on the court but also one of the most talked-about rookies in the NBA collection community.
At only 20 years old, raw and brimming with potential, Matas Buzelis epitomizes the exuberant unpredictability of the NBA—prompting sighs of relief from fans and cheeky grins from collectors as they snugly tuck away his card, awaiting what could very well be a story for the ages.
