Step aside, basketball stars of yesteryear; a new name is steadily rising in the NBA constellation and, by the looks of it, might soon outshine many. He is none other than Matas Buzelis, whose story reads like a modern-day Cinderella but with a six-foot-ten stature and an impressive wingspan. Only this time, instead of a glass slipper, the ticket to his fairy-tale rise seems to be a basketball card that’s heating up faster than jalapeños on a barbeque grill.
It was a Saturday night when the world sat up and took notice. The Bulls were all set to engulf the Lakers in a duel that promised sky-high drama but unexpectedly turned into a showcase of young Matas Buzelis’s talent. With a flourish, the rookie guard-everyone’s talking about delivered a stunning 31-point game, which on any night would be news, but his stellar performance became a headline when he left fans and courtside critics gasping with an electrifying one-handed dunk over Luka Doncic, an elite NBA player, no less. The feat seemed to be performed in slow motion for maximum impact, as if to ensure no one missed this defining “Hello NBA!” moment.
Drafted 11th overall, Buzelis was, at one point, a question mark—a curiosity cloaked in potential with occasionally stunning, albeit inconsistent college performances. His first steps into the NBA spotlight were accompanied by whispers of doubt and tempered enthusiasm. However, the genius is now having the last laugh as Buzelis quickly converts skeptics into believers with a series of performances that is more symphony than solo.
Since the All-Star break, the rookie’s numbers have sky-rocketed, reflecting a steady ascent in both playtime and productivity. Currently clocking around 25.8 minutes per game, he’s averaging 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and just under a block per game. The Bulls, who’ve pivoted from the DeRozan-LaVine era into an aggressive, fast-paced offensive mode, have empowered Buzelis to spread his wings, and fly he does, with an impressive arc more akin to an eagle than a rookie learning to fly.
Such performances have not gone unnoticed in the sports memorabilia market, where collectors have seemingly hit the panic button in the rush to grab Buzelis’s NBA cards. In what can only be described as a collector’s feeding frenzy, March saw Card Ladder tracking 2,731 Buzelis card sales—a staggering number further accentuated by 18 or more purchases securing transactions of over $1,000. This is revolutionary news in a market where only a few months ago, Matas Buzelis might have elicited a “Who?” from most.
But remarkable sales figures tell just half the story; the real drama unfolded after the Panini 2024-25 Prizm NBA cards dropped. His previously underwhelming Black Prizm Auto 1/1 sale of $700 has been dwarfed by recent sales that don proudly boast price tags north of $2,000. Notable sales like the Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie netting $2,150 and the Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto fetching $2,194.69 tell a story of sheer collector admiration and confidence in his potential.
March saw Matas Buzelis rise among a galaxy of draft stars. While Zacharie Risacher and Stephon Castle perhaps outrank him in established hype, Matas is making significant headway with record-breaking card sales—a clear signal that collectors back him for the long haul. His rise is reminiscent of a dark horse surging to the front when the stakes are at their highest.
The Bulls’ current roster, replete with energy and seamless dynamic, seems just right for Buzelis’s burgeoning skillset. With Coby White as the fastest kid on the block and Josh Giddey dazzling with his vision and flair, Buzelis has carved a niche that’s both spectacular and pivotal. Already the leading dunker on the team, Matas Buzelis is growing with every game, embodying a rare combination of size, skill, and what some like to call, “floor-ordinate fluidity.”
It is worth noting how this unsung rookie class has surprised many. Larger-than-life names in draft discussions occasionally cloak themselves in unwarranted hype only to sizzle into mediocrity when the real games begin. Buzelis, in contrast, has risen subtly, making the most of his chances and adapting to the heightened pace of professional basketball with poise that’s unusual for a rookie.
Gifted beyond his years, yet possessing a raw athleticism that’s refined on the court. Matas Buzelis is proving to be more than just potential tucked comfortably in the Bulls’ wing; he’s proving to be potential realized—right before our eyes. Watch this space; with more games and more courts to conquer, Matas Buzelis might just rewrite the narrative for rookies on the cards and off. His story is still unfolding, page after exciting page, and every chapter promises a thrill.
