March Madness has returned with its annual thrill—a veritable feast of buzzer-beaters and breathless anticipation, as college basketball takes center stage. Not only are die-hard fans chomping at the bit, but the trading card market is also pulsating with Sweet Sixteen fervor. With scouts in the stands and enthusiasts glued to screens, it’s a make-or-break time for promising young athletes to amplify their draft allure—and as a by-product, their cardboard cachet. Let’s dive into the whirling world of high-stakes hoops and high-value hobbies to see who’s turning heads both on and off the court.
First up, let’s discuss the prodigy that is Cooper Flagg from the basketball temple known as Duke. Flagg has been billed as the Second Coming ever since he stepped onto the hardwood, and his performance has been nothing short of messianic. Naturally, collectors are depth-charging the Buy It Now buttons like anxious pawnshop patrons at a gold-digging elixir.
Standing at 6 feet 8 inches, this freshman phenom is the prime candidate for the future No. 1 NBA draft pick, and as Duke remains in the tourney, his card prices resemble a dizzying ascent. To paint a picture for those clutching their wallets, his 2024 Topps Chrome McDonald’s All-American Red Refractor Auto /5 PSA 10 accolade soared to a formidable $11,000 on March 25, up from $9,500 just two days prior. Quite the figure for someone yet to bounce a basketball on an NBA floor, but Flagg’s current offerings are more akin to golden fleece than paper stock.
Meanwhile, Derik Queen of Maryland solidified his budding legend status with a thunderous buzzer-beater, sending Maryland to the Sweet Sixteen and luring Topps into capturing this magic on a coveted Bowman U Now card. The card collecting community has followed Queen’s exploits keenly—his November 2024 Bowman U Now card, which commemorates a legendary 22-point, 20-rebound night, saw its 1/1 Superfractor fly off the shelves for $599.
With all eyes set on him, Queen’s freshly minted cards, featuring autos numbered to 10, 5, and the elusive 1, dangle enticingly through March 30. Like a siren song for hobbyists, it invites an inevitable question: Are you fast enough to collect?
As we skip back to Duke to meet Kon Knueppel, whose only complication is his tongue-twisting moniker, we find a player who can confidently launch missiles from downtown. Quietly ascending the draft boards, much like a sneaky elevator, Knueppel’s cardboard miniatures are echoing his quiet but potent rise.
Fresh from torching Miami with a fiery 25-point charade, he snagged himself some Bowman U Now cardboard limelight. A card of his recently claimed $230 in a March 19 transaction. Hardly chump change for a potential mid-to-late lottery selection. For those famished for more, he’s also the proud subject of an ACC Tournament MVP card. Some players are just greedier than others when reigning in the accolades.
Further west stands Carter Bryant from Arizona, shadowed by the scrutiny of few as his potential burgeons. Standing at an aesthetically delightful 6 feet 8 inches, with credentials in defense and perimeter play catering to the modern NBA game, Bryant sits as comfortably as a hidden gem amidst a sea of more exposed rocks.
In terms of trade, Bryant’s cards currently saunter through the realm of affordable to, well, maybe not-so-affordable. For a reader on the cusp of coin, a Base Prizm Draft Pick may be procured for a dollar, though the more resplendent versions, such as an autographed /25, can demand $49.99, with a Black Gold /5 fetching an account-draining $102.50. Should Bryant deliver a walloping performance against Duke, these wallet-friendly figures could come under some inflationary pressure.
Lastly, there’s Isaiah Demonte Evans, yet another Duke freshman stewing in potential. Ranked fifteenth in the ivory tower of last year’s recruiting class, Evans’s on-court presence has been sparse—a mere seven minutes against Baylor has been his standalone scene. But, interest averages out based on potential as much as output, and Evans is a favorite in the collector’s cabinet.
His drive-thru Superfractor 1/1 went for nearly $200, while a Jersey Patch Auto /5 was nabbed for a commendable $275. Should significant playtime yield an exhibition of his scoring prowess, those numbers could see an uptick akin to a thrilling stock market spree.
The Sweet Sixteen not only beckons college basketball fans for a spectacle of athletic talent but it tangentially fuels a secondary marketplace teeming with passion for paper stock. If you have your eyes set on uncovering the future Michael Jordans or LeBron Jameses of this generation before their fame blooms beyond financial grasp, this rite of spring is the optimal moment for securing an investment in sporting brilliance before they ascend to god-like prestige.