When the Chicago Bulls called Matas Buzelis’ name as the 11th overall pick in the NBA Draft, seasoned analysts and ardent fans raised their eyebrows, producing a collective hum of skepticism mixed with curiosity. Now, months into his rookie season, Buzelis is serving a hefty slice of humble pie to those early doubters while simultaneously sparking a frenzy amongst sports card collectors.
Standing at an imposing 6 feet 10 inches, the lanky upstart has been crafting a narrative that’s difficult to ignore. His performance last Saturday was nothing short of a cinematic debut, as he erupted with a career-high 31 points, leading the Bulls to an emphatic victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. But the numbers, while impressive, only brush the surface. It was Buzelis’ on-court artistry that captivated audiences and thrust him into the rookie spotlight.
His arsenal was on full display, but the pièce de résistance was a lightning-fast jaunt past Luka Doncic, culminating in a breathtaking, one-handed dunk. Such moments encapsulate Buzelis’ flair for the dramatic and speak volumes about his burgeoning potential. Gone are the whispers of doubt, replaced by the clamor of excitement both on and off the court.
As the season progressed post-All-Star Break, Buzelis saw a strategic increase in playing time, averaging nearly 26 minutes per game. His contributions have been diverse: nearly 12 points per game, alongside 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and a reliable presence near the basket just shy of a block per game. The Bulls’ tactical pivot toward an up-tempo offensive scheme has been the perfect stage for Buzelis to waltz into relevancy, and he has been nothing short of a revelation.
Fascinatingly enough, the kinetic energy surrounding Buzelis’ on-court escapades has found a secondary outlet in the form of his sports cards. Collector circles are abuzz, and rightfully so, as Buzelis cards become prized possessions. The hobby marketplace is moving at breakneck speed, tracking a staggering 2,731 Buzelis card sales in less than a month. To put that into perspective, 18 of these sales exceeded the $1,000 mark, an unthinkable figure before the official release of Panini’s 2024-25 Prizm NBA series.
One standout transaction from January—a 2024 Prizm Draft Picks Black Prizm Auto 1/1 for $700—has since been dwarfed by two recent sales post-Prizm drop: A Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie /5 fetching $2,150 and a Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto /15 commanding $2,194.69. Such transactions do not merely signify a player’s trading card, but rather, a tangible piece of rising stock in the world of sports memorabilia.
In the realm of rookies, where heavy hitters like Zacharie Risacher and Stephon Castle thrive, Buzelis’ climb in card sales—18 notable transactions—keeps him in prestigious company. For context, when compared to his peers: Five four-figure card sales for Risacher, one for Sarr, and Castle’s impressive 16, underscore that Buzelis is holding his own, and then some.
Chicago’s basketball narrative is subtly shifting—edging away from the DeRozan-LaVine axis toward a fresher, more dynamic ensemble. With Coby White’s speed and Josh Giddey’s pinpoint passes, Buzelis has managed to script a compelling character for himself—one brimming with dunks, bravado, and burgeoning confidence.
Shifting the focus away from hype, his game speaks volumes. The synergy between his size, skill set, and sheer tenacity places Buzelis amongst the elite rookies, defying preseason expectations. His raw talent is unmistakably interwoven with poise and a performance caliber that’s capturing imaginations both in fans and card collectors alike.
Barely twenty, Buzelis is on an upward trajectory that shows no signs of faltering. Should this forward momentum continue, his ascent might not only electrify Chicago’s fan base but could well inspire a new generation of collectors eager to invest in a promising career-in-the-making. As the old adage goes: good things come to those who wait—unless you’re Matas Buzelis, in which case the good things come hurtling through the rim with unparallel grace and excitement.
