Matas Buzelis, the Chicago Bulls’ towering 6’10” rookie, is rapidly emerging as the unexpected gem of last year’s NBA Draft. Last Saturday, Buzelis dazzled fans and pundits alike by scoring a career-high 31 points in a commanding win over the Lakers. This performance was more than just numbers recorded on a stat sheet; it was a statement. His bucket-making spree included a jaw-dropping moment where he left Luka Doncic in the dust with an awe-inspiring, athletic, one-handed dunk that sent the arena into a frenzy.
Selected 11th overall, Buzelis entered the league surrounded by a whirlwind of questions and skepticism about his potential. Fast forward to today, and he’s answering those questions with finesse and flare. Post-All-Star break, he’s secured more court time, boasting an average of 25.8 minutes per game. Not one to squander opportunities, Buzelis is averaging 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and nearly a block per game. The Bulls’ new high-paced, aggressive style of play suits him perfectly, helping him shine like a diamond under pressure’s heat.
In the sports collectible market, where legends are minted—or faded—based on performance, there’s a seismic shift taking place. The first 25 days of March alone saw Card Ladder track a staggering 2,731 sales of Buzelis cards. Among these are 18 premier sales, shaking off the shackles of pre-Prizm days, where cards fetched $1,000 or more. The monumental change began after Panini’s 2024-25 Prizm NBA release. Previously, the top sale of a Buzelis card was a mere $700 in January, for a 2024 Prizm Draft Picks Black Prizm Auto 1/1; however, the post-Prizm landscape tells a different tale. Now, he’s got cards – such as the 2024-25 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie /5 and the 2024-25 Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto /15 – fetching $2,150 and $2,194.69, respectively.
Buzelis’ rising star thrusts him into conversations alongside the most vaunted names of his draft class. While March saw Zacharie Risacher rack up five four-figure card sales, and promising Rookie of the Year candidate Stephon Castle amaze with 16, Buzelis wasn’t far off with 18 –a number expected to keep climbing. Alexandre Sarr, while also praiseworthy, trails behind with only one sale reaching such heights.
What makes Buzelis’ ascent noteworthy? He didn’t enter the season under the glow of a media spotlight, unlike some of his draft counterparts. Instead, his quietly effective, highly entertaining game is now doing the talking. The market’s realization of his prowess is both swift and justified, as collectors rush to get their hands on a piece of his promising beginnings.
The Bulls transitioning away from the familiar DeRozan-LaVine era is turning another page in its storied franchise history. They’re reshaping the team around young talents like Coby White, whose lightning speed and Josh Giddey, whose sharp court vision, create a potent mix on the hardwood. Within this evolving narrative, Buzelis carves an increasing slice of attention and opportunity. He leads his team in statement-making dunks, buoyed by an ever-growing confidence with each thrilling play.
Despite a rookie class that many saw as underwhelming coming into the season, Buzelis is challenging those preconceptions, making waves and headlines. His enviable combination of scale, skill, and smoothness notably secures him an exceptionally high ceiling and places him as a strong candidate for the season’s biggest surprise story.
Though still raw and youthful, Buzelis’ poise belies his 20 years, capturing the intrigue of both collectors and fans. His growth, if maintained, promises a bright future, not just for the team that hauls him but also for the investors who have caught on early. As the market stamps him as hot property, the trajectory for Matas Buzelis seems set to rise, just like the high-flying slam dunks that have become his trademark.
