March Madness, the time of year basketball fans eagerly await, has arrived. With bracket-busting buzzer-beaters and Cinderella stories unfolding, the accompanying frenzy is more than just on the court. The high-stakes nature of the NCAA Sweet Sixteen games has injected adrenaline into both fans and collectors, who fervently track the ascension of young stars poised to take the leap to the professional courts.

This annual basketball showcase is not only an occasion for teams to vie for college basketball supremacy. It’s also a display window for burgeoning talents to inflate their draft stock and indeed, their memorabilia value. Scouts watch intently, and so do collectors, who are fervently hunting for cardboard treasures that might someday be golden tickets.

Among those stealing the spotlight is Duke’s blue-chip freshman, Cooper Flagg. Looming tall at 6’8″, Flagg commands attention any time he steps on the court. As anticipated, he is living up to the hype, continuously breaking through defenses with his effortless precision and drive. Alongside his on-court heroics, his collector’s market value is soaring precipitously. Just to highlight this point, Flagg’s 2024 Topps Chrome McDonald’s All-American Red Refractor Auto /5 PSA 10 card sold for a whopping $11,000 on March 25. To put that into perspective, two days earlier, the same card fetched $9,500. He’s yet to set foot on an NBA court, but his cards are fetching prices as if laden with some sort of magical stardust.

Turning our eyes to the University of Maryland, Derik Queen’s recent antics have caught substantial attention. Queen’s dramatic buzzer-beater ensured Maryland’s spot in the Sweet Sixteen, and Topps has wasted no time immortalizing the moment on a Bowman U Now card. Prior to this sterling performance, Queen was already garnering the hobby’s attention—his November 2024 Bowman U Now card, which marked a phenomenal 22-point, 20-rebound game, recently saw its sole 1/1 Superfractor specimen sold for $599. With his latest heroic act, the spotlight is back on him, and his card releases, especially those autos numbered to 10, 5, and the elusive 1, are hotly pursued.

Then there’s the matter of Kon Knueppel, also from Duke. Don’t let his name trip you up; Knueppel is carving a silent dynasty with his sharp-shooting ability. Recently torching Miami with a scorching 25-point slam, he rapidly ascends draft boards as his memorabilia pieces keep pace. A Bowman U Now card featuring this big occasion recently fetched $230—an impressive score for a player projected in the mid-to-late lottery range. With an ACC Tournament MVP title under his belt, his star—and card value—only promises to rise.

Carter Bryant, an Arizona stalwart, towers at 6’8″ with a blend of defensive acuity and offensive perimeter skills. He feels like a blueprint for the modern NBA player, though his card value currently resides in the budget section. Arizona’s looming contest with Duke might just be the bonfire Bryant needs to catalyze a meteoric rise in recognition and card value. Presently, his Base Prizm Draft Picks are available for around a dollar, with rarer editions like a /25 auto at $49.99. A Black Gold /5 has moved at $102.50—a testament to the bubbling opportunity. Should he explode with a high-scoring night against Duke, expect those modest prices to escape the budget aisle.

Lastly, not to be neglected is Duke’s Isaiah Demonte Evans. While yet to establish a breakout moment in the collegiate spotlight, don’t sleep on him. With limited court exposure so far—only 7 minutes in the heated game against Baylor—he captures the gaze of collectors who see a potent upside. We’ve seen his 2024 Topps McDonald’s All-American Drive-Thru Superfractor 1/1 hover just under $200, and a Jersey Patch Auto /5 at $275 marks his current status. These gently simmering prices reveal the existence of collectors’ faith in his untapped well of potential.

As the Sweet Sixteen heats up, so does the fervor surrounding these promising talents. It is a collision of irresistible forces: widespread national attention, tantalizing NBA potential, and a market with insatiable appetite. If you’re seeking the next basketball prodigy before the broader populace catches on, this weekend may be your golden window.

March Madness isn’t just a test of endurance and skill for college athletes; it’s a thrilling ride for collectors and fans with a stake in the future of these promising stars. Prepare for a full-throttle exploration of what it means to be a rising star in an age where every three-pointer could also mean a new card bonanza.

2025 Sweet Sixteen Cards Heating Up