The NBA is never short on breathtaking narratives, and right now, Matas Buzelis is the talk of the town. With a mesmerizing blend of athletic prowess and basketball brilliance, the 6’10” rookie is captivating the league’s attention and elevating his status as a prime-time player. As the 11th pick in last year’s NBA Draft, many over-analyzed every element of Buzelis’ game, raising eyebrows with curiosity and skepticism. Now, those notions are being gently laid to rest as Buzelis emerges as a diamond among rough predictions.
The spotlight on Buzelis intensified last Saturday when he lit up the Staples Center with a career-high 31 points against the formidable Los Angeles Lakers. This wasn’t just another night at the office—it was a masterclass. Buzelis didn’t simply fill the scoresheet; he made sure his presence was indelible on the retina of every witness. Arguably the most jaw-dropping moment came when he left Luka Doncic in his dust, soaring through the air for a one-handed dunk that had commentators gasping and fans roaring in unison.
As the Chicago Bulls prepare for life beyond the DeRozan-LaVine era, young talents like Buzelis are becoming focal points of a new and dynamic core. The team’s newfound commitment to an up-tempo style perfectly complements Buzelis’ game. Thanks to this shift, his playing time has seen an uptick since the All-Star break, averaging 25.8 minutes per game. With those minutes, Buzelis averages an impressive 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, along with nearly a block per game, showcasing a well-rounded skill set that defies his years.
Such on-court performances have rapidly trickled into the collectible card world, where Buzelis is causing nothing short of a sensation. The hobby market mirrors his rise, with collectors scrambling to secure his rookie cards. Card Ladder, a favored platform among enthusiasts, recorded a staggering 2,731 card sales involving Buzelis in just the first 25 days of March. Remarkably, 18 of these transactions exceeded the $1,000 benchmark, a clear testament to the surging interest following Panini’s highly-anticipated 2024-25 Prizm NBA launch.
Cast back a couple of months, and Buzelis’ card sales were a more modest affair—the star’s highest sale was $700 for a 2024 Prizm Draft Picks Black Prizm Auto 1/1. Cut to the present, and that precedent has been obliterated. Since the Prizm NBA release, two of Buzelis’ cards have commanded over $2,000: the Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie /5 at $2,150 and the Snakeskin Auto /15 fetching $2,194.69. These are figures that would stir any collector from their slumber.
Among his rookie peers, Buzelis is making an unmistakable imprint. While Zacharie Risacher, 2024’s top pick, has attracted five four-figure card sales, and Stephon Castle, hailed as a Rookie of the Year frontrunner, has witnessed 16 such transactions, Buzelis accounts for 18—and the appetite isn’t waning. It seems the only limit to his card valuation is Buzelis himself.
The surprise element in Buzelis’ ascent is worth noting—the absence of the typical rookie season fanfare is now his trump card. This Chicago Bulls rookie has let his performance do the talking, and it seems fans and collectors alike are ready to listen. In the Windy City, Josh Giddey’s sharp court vision and Coby White’s blistering pace are allies in Buzelis’ quest for an expanded role. His dunk tally already leads the team, and his increasing confidence on the floor telegraphs a thrilling future.
While the rookie class didn’t premiere with fireworks, it’s clear Matas Buzelis is ready for his close-up. The constellation of his size, skill, and fluidity suggests an astronomical potential. By threading these elements together, he is tipping his hat at legendary ceilings and hinting at glories yet to unfurl.
Buzelis, still a ripe 20 years of age, impresses with an unexpected composure and an alluring promise of what might be. Each game builds on the last, a harmony that fans savor and collectors vie for. With each play, the buzz surrounding his cards parallels his triumphs and forecasts an exciting path, both on the court and in the hobbyist archives. This might just be the beginning of a new basketball folklore, and Matas Buzelis is orchestrating every note with flair.
