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Matas Buzelis turned in the best performance of his young career last Saturday, erupting for 31 points in a dominant 146–115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. And it wasn’t just the box score that had fans and collectors buzzing—it was how he did it.

The 6'10" rookie, taken 11th overall in last year’s draft, showed flashes of the high-upside skill set that once had scouts considering him a top-5 prospect. The highlight of the night? A smooth, confident drive past Luka Doncic capped by a one-handed slam that sent the crowd into a frenzy. It wasn’t just a dunk—it was a statement.

Since the All-Star break, Buzelis has seen a significant bump in minutes, going from just under 15 per game to 25.8. Over that stretch, he’s averaging 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and nearly a block per game. He’s still developing, but the flashes of brilliance are becoming more frequent—and collectors are starting to take notice.

The Card Market Responds

The Hobby has responded in a big way. According to Card Ladder, there were 2,731 Buzelis card sales in the first 25 days of March alone. Before the release of 2024-25 Panini Prizm Basketball, his highest recorded sale came back in January, when his 2024 Prizm Draft Picks Black Prizm Auto 1/1 sold for $700.

But once Prizm NBA dropped, the numbers jumped. Two standout sales so far:
– 2024-25 Panini Prizm NBA FOTL Green Shimmer Rookie /5 sold for $2,150
– 2024-25 Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto /15 went for $2,194.69

There have already been 18 Buzelis sales over $1,000 in March alone.

Rookie Class Comparison

How does Buzelis stack up against his peers in the secondary market?
– Alexandre Sarr has just one sale over $1,000 in March ($1,136)
– Zacharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick, has five such sales
– Stephon Castle, widely considered the Rookie of the Year frontrunner, has logged 16

In terms of market movement, Buzelis is keeping pace with or outperforming some of the top names from his class—and he’s doing it without the benefit of preseason hype.

Chicago’s Youth Movement Helps the Hype

Buzelis currently leads the Bulls in dunks and is thriving in the team’s faster-paced, more aggressive offensive approach following the exits of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. With Coby White pushing the tempo and Josh Giddey’s passing instincts in the mix, Buzelis is in an ideal situation to grow—and the flashes are becoming harder to ignore.

In a draft class that didn’t generate the usual buzz, Buzelis might quietly have the highest ceiling. He’s raw, but with his blend of size, coordination, and skill, the potential is undeniable. If Chicago continues to let him play through mistakes and grow into his role, collectors betting on his upside could be early to something big.

He’s not a household name yet, but based on what we’re seeing on the court—and in the marketplace—that might not be the case for much longer.