The sound of basketball sneakers squeaking on freshly polished hardwood might have a familiar feel to it. But over at the Bulls’ den, a thundering new heartbeat has emerged, donning jersey number 35 and a fresh style that’s now starting to soak headlines. That pulse belongs to Matas Buzelis, an electrifying rookie who’s taken a path from wondered potential to undoubted promise in a whirlwind fashion. The sporting world has suddenly taken a decided pivot toward Chicago, with fans and collectors realigning their attention on this 6’10” powerhouse, whose story reads like a fairytale being carved into bold reality.
Last Saturday night was one of those electric evenings that define a rookie’s career. Buzelis orchestrated a performance that was nothing short of spectacular, registering a personal best of 31 points against the Los Angeles Lakers. Though the Lakers tried their best to resist, it was Buzelis who scripted his dominant trajectory, waltzing past the assumed hurdles with a grace that fully encapsulated jubilation. What really sent tremors across arenas was when he showcased his advanced footwork and explosive power, blowing past Luka Doncic with a grand swoop that ended with an exclamation—a rim-rattling, arena-rousing one-handed dunk that had both fans and analysts on their feet.
Drafted 11th overall, the roads toward the pick were sniffed for doubts by skeptics with queries and eyebrows readily cocked. The potential, however, shone like a diamond peeking through, and at this point, it’s fair to say the diamond polish is underway. Since the All-Star break, Matas has unreservedly mirrored those glimpses into genuine on-court contributions. His minutes have climbed to a steady 25.8 per game, estimated by his work averaging 11.9 points, accompanied by 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and nearly a block per game. The Bulls seem to have stumbled upon a winning formula, shifting gears into an attack-first strategy wherein Buzelis shines like a beacon.
Meanwhile, as Buzelis is busy crafting narratives on the hardwood, card collectors have been swiftly taking note. Laden with his newfound spotlight, the card market has turned into a buzzing hive of activity centered on the young Bull. In March, Card Ladder meticulously tracked an astounding 2,731 card sales involving his likeness. While before it was rare for his memorabilia to turn heads, the release of Panini’s 2024-25 Prizm NBA cards altered the playing field with vigor. Sales exceeding the $1,000 mark for his cards have now become all the buzz. Going above and beyond, his cards have now galloped into shut-eye-raising digits, with two passing that glittering $2,000 milestone—his 2024-25 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer Rookie numbered out of five commanded a lofty $2,150, while the rare 2024-25 Panini Prizm Snakeskin Auto out of fifteen fetched $2,194.69.
To understand Matas’ rise and the blaze around his cards, a look among his contemporaries provides perspective. Against the backdrop of his draft class, he stands firmly alongside top pick Zacharie Risacher—himself earning five card sales in March that marched into four figures—while others like Stephon Castle, pegged as a likely Rookie of the Year contender, chalked up 16 such transactions. Buzelis? He’s erupted with eighteen, and the count features an ellipsis punctuated by more.
Delving into the shifting compositions in Chicago, the canvas is starting to draw more faces. As the Bulls pivot away from the former DeRozan-LaVine era, they begin to blend into a new symphony, one led by a rejuvenating ensemble to which Buzelis is key. Synthesizing alongside Coby White’s nimble speed and Josh Giddey’s savant-like court vision, Buzelis has been steadily projecting confidence. Currently leading the team in dunks, each game is another step toward a full stride.
Among a rookie class not initially earmarked for hyperbole, Matas Buzelis could end up emerging as the most delightful twist of fate, defying all pre-season sentimentalities. His amalgam of stature, aptitude, and effortless flow gifts him with an upper limit aspirational peers might dream of scaling. With continued growth, both his on-court prowess and card-market trajectory appear set on a concurrent rise.
While still largely raw at the edges and barely having stepped into adulthood at 20, Matas Buzelis walks the court with a winning poise—curating performances filled with thrills that both fanatics and card collectors have found impossible to ignore. This journey, echoing both hype and hope, has only just begun.
