Sweet Sixteen Showdown: The Cards Heating Up as College Hoops Goes Full Hype Mode

March Madness is in full swing, which means two things: buzzer-beaters are back on the menu, and the card market is frothing over with Sweet Sixteen buzz. With scouts lurking in the shadows and fans glued to the screen, this is prime time for young prospects to inflate their draft stock—and their cardboard value. Let’s break down who’s making waves both on the court and in collectors’ carts.

Cooper Flagg, Duke
Ah yes, the anointed one. Cooper Flagg is doing what everyone expected: dominating headlines, lighting up defenses, and causing collectors to hit the “Buy It Now” button like it’s going out of style.

The 6'8" freshman sensation is widely seen as the future No. 1 overall pick, and with Duke still dancing, his already absurd card prices are somehow climbing higher. As of March 25, his 2024 Topps Chrome McDonald’s All-American Red Refractor Auto /5 PSA 10 sold for a modest $11,000. Just two days earlier? $9,500 for the same card. He hasn’t played an NBA game yet, but his cards are already priced like All-Star memorabilia.

Derik Queen, Maryland
One buzzer-beater is all it takes. Derik Queen sent Maryland through to the Sweet Sixteen with one of the coldest shots of the tournament so far, and Topps wasted no time slapping that moment on a Bowman U Now card.

Queen’s been making hobby headlines for a while—his November 2024 Bowman U Now card commemorating a 22-point, 20-rebound monster night recently saw its 1/1 Superfractor move for $599. Now, with the spotlight squarely on him, his newest card drop (available through March 30) includes autos numbered to 10, 5, and the coveted 1. You know what to do.

Kon Knueppel, Duke
Don’t let the name trip you up—Kon Knueppel can flat-out shoot. The Duke freshman has been climbing draft boards quietly, and his cards are doing the same.

After torching Miami for 25 points, Knueppel got the Bowman U Now treatment, and one of those cards fetched $230 on March 19. Not bad for a mid-to-late lottery prospect. He also has a separate card celebrating his ACC Tournament MVP, because apparently one isn’t enough when you’re heating up.

Carter Bryant, Arizona
Standing 6'8" with good defensive instincts and some solid perimeter skills, Carter Bryant is built for today’s NBA. His cards, however, are still chilling in the low-dollar section—for now.

Arizona’s Sweet Sixteen showdown with Duke could be the springboard he needs. Base Prizm Draft Picks are floating around for a buck, with rarer versions like his /25 auto hitting $49.99 and a Black Gold /5 sale at $102.50. If he drops 20+ on Duke, those prices won’t stay friendly for long.

Isaiah Demonte Evans, Duke
Isaiah Evans hasn’t had a breakout moment yet, but he's still a name worth watching. Ranked No. 15 in last year’s recruiting class, the 6'6" freshman hasn’t gotten much run—just 7 minutes against Baylor—but he’s still generating interest from collectors.

His 2024 Topps McDonald’s All-American Drive-Thru Superfractor 1/1 went for just under $200, and a Jersey Patch Auto /5 reached $275. Not huge money, but if Evans gets real minutes and flashes his scoring ability, that could shift fast.

As the Sweet Sixteen ramps up, so does the heat around these rising stars. It’s the perfect storm—national attention, NBA upside, and a red-hot market. If you’re chasing the next big name, this weekend might be your best shot at snagging a star before the rest of the world catches up.