Matas Buzelis is starting to look like one of the steals of last year’s NBA Draft—and collectors are taking notice.
The 6'10" rookie had a breakout game last Saturday, dropping a career-high 31 points in a blowout win over the Lakers. It wasn’t just the stat line that turned heads—it was how he got there. Buzelis put on a show, including a highlight-reel moment where he blew past Luka Doncic and finished with a soaring one-handed dunk that had the entire arena buzzing.
Drafted 11th overall, Buzelis came into the league with questions, but also with flashes of elite potential. He’s now starting to answer those questions on the court. Since the All-Star break, his minutes have jumped to 25.8 per game, and he’s averaging 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and just under a block per game. The Bulls have embraced a more up-tempo, attacking style, and Buzelis has been a clear beneficiary.
Collectors Are Taking Notice
The hobby market is reacting quickly. In the first 25 days of March, Card Ladder tracked 2,731 Buzelis card sales. That includes 18 individual sales of $1,000 or more—something that simply wasn’t happening before Panini’s 2024-25 Prizm NBA release.
His biggest pre-Prizm sale came back in January, when his 2024 Prizm Draft Picks Black Prizm Auto 1/1 went for $700. That number has been left in the dust. Since Prizm NBA dropped, two of his cards have passed the $2,000 mark:
- 2024-25 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie /5 – $2,150
- 2024-25 Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto /15 – $2,194.69
Buzelis' rise puts him firmly in the conversation with the top names from his draft class. In March, top pick Zacharie Risacher has seen five four-figure card sales. Alexandre Sarr has one. Stephon Castle, considered a strong Rookie of the Year candidate, has had 16 such sales in that same period. Buzelis? Eighteen—and counting.
What’s making this even more interesting is that Buzelis didn’t come into the season with the same spotlight. His game is doing the talking now, and the market is catching up quickly.
Chicago’s New Look, Buzelis' New Role
As the Bulls shift away from the DeRozan-LaVine era, a new core is taking shape. With Coby White’s speed and Josh Giddey’s court vision setting the tone, Buzelis has been able to carve out a bigger role. He currently leads the team in dunks and looks more confident with each passing game.
For a rookie class that didn’t carry much hype heading into the season, Buzelis may end up being one of the biggest surprises. The combination of size, skill, and fluidity gives him one of the highest ceilings in the class—and if his development continues on this trajectory, the buzz around his cards is only going to grow.
He's raw, yes—but he’s also 20 years old, playing with poise, and putting together performances that collectors and fans alike can’t ignore.
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