College basketball’s March Madness is a swirling maelstrom of heart-stopping action, last-second shots, and a fertile ground for burgeoning stars to showcase their potential. With the tournament heating up, fans and scouts alike are glued to their screens — and the unsung heroes of this annual sporting circus are the collectible cards that capture these young athletes’ fleeting moments of brilliance.
This year, the Sweet Sixteen isn’t just about who’s got the best jump shot or the tightest defense. It’s an arena where young athletes not only dream of championship glory but also of amplifying their worth in the dynamic world of collectible cards. The trade frenzy is ablaze, with card market values leaping like players soaring for a dunk.
Enter Cooper Flagg of Duke University. The 6’8″ freshman who might as well have been delivered to college basketball on a silver platter. Flagg’s game is poetry in motion — a seamless blend of talent, dexterity, and sheer determination. As expected, he’s devouring headlines and, unsurprisingly, his trading card is reflecting his on-court performance. His 2024 Topps Chrome McDonald’s All-American Red Refractor Auto /5 PSA 10 card is a red-hot ticket, recently selling at a dazzling $11,000 — a handsome increment from two days prior when it went for $9,500. Though he’s just shy of gracing the NBA court, his trading cards are already prized like those of seasoned All-Stars.
Then there’s Maryland’s Derik Queen, whose single, ice-in-the-veins buzzer-beater propelled Maryland into the Sweet Sixteen — and etched his feat into the annals of hobby lore. Topps swiftly caught the wave, showcasing Queen’s sensational moment on a Bowman U Now card. Prior to stealing the spotlight with his game-winning shot, Queen was already a familiar face among collectors. His November 2024 Bowman U Now card, celebrating an impressive 22-point and 20-rebound performance, sold at a significant $599 for its 1/1 Superfractor edition. With the Sweet Sixteen stage gleaming on him, his newer card editions — set to become collectible treasures — are swiftly being snapped up.
Also basking in the Blue Devil glimmer is Kon Knueppel of Duke, whose ability to shoot is anything but convoluted. Tackling Miami and scoring 25 points, Knueppel caught the eye of Bowman U Now, earning his card warm reception in the market, with transactions as high as $230. Though earmarked as a mid-to-late lottery pick, his collectibles, including one celebrating his ACC Tournament MVP, hint at the potential for future ascendancy in value.
Carter Bryant, donned in Arizona’s colors, stands at an imposing 6’8″. His defensive acumen, paired with solid perimeter skills, ticks all the boxes for NBA scouts. However, his cards — for now — have remained more accessible in the market. As Arizona faces off against Duke, Bryant has the chance to ignite both his card’s value and his professional prospects. At present, his Base Prizm Draft Picks hover around modest prices, but a striking performance could dissolve the undervaluation, creating a collectible rush akin to a basketball fast break.
Finally, there’s Duke’s Isaiah Demonte Evans, a 6’6″ freshman yet to have his moment etched in the tournament’s narrative. Despite limited time on the court, Evans’ trading cards continue to pique interest. His 2024 Topps McDonald’s All-American Drive-Thru Superfractor 1/1 card traded hands just under $200, while a Jersey Patch Auto /5 found its way to a new owner for $275. Given the right opportunity on the court, Evans has the potential to transform his collectibles into must-have memorabilia for anticipative collectors.
In the theater of March Madness, where future stars are crafted under the intense glare of the national spotlight, these promising players stand ready to turn every minute of play into a potential gold mine. And as scouts look for talent, collectors watch closely, ready to hit “Buy It Now” before these players’ cardboard chronicles become stories of NBA legend.
As the Sweet Sixteen rolls on, the air is electric — a perfect tempest of athletic potential and fast-paced card market chatter, each feeding off the other in a virtuous cycle of hype and investment. While basketball fans watch for the breakout moments, collectors lie in wait, poised to seize upon the next great rise. Who will shine brightest, and whose cards will surge the highest? Only the unfolding tournament drama will tell.
