As the college basketball world finds itself deep in the throes of March Madness, the Sweet Sixteen has become the focal point of intense scrutiny, heightened excitement, and, apparently, an unexpected trading card frenzy. While the games themselves might be centered around dazzling feats of athleticism and skill, another competition is taking place far from the hardwood—among trading card collectors and scouts furiously evaluating who might turn their cardboard treasures into gold.
March Madness has always been a breeding ground for underdog stories and heroic performances, but it is also fertile territory for inflating draft stock and investment in sports memorabilia. This year, the electrifying moments on the court are being reflected in the rising prices of trading cards, particularly focusing on young tyros possibly destined for future NBA stardom.
Take Cooper Flagg, for instance. At Duke, the 6’8″ freshman isn’t just turning heads; he’s spinning them right off. This young phenom, whose nickname might as well be “The Hulk of Hoops,” has captivated audiences while setting collectors’ fingers afire on their “Buy It Now” options. Flagg’s recent auctions for his high-demand cards have shot through the roof. His 2024 Topps Chrome McDonald’s All-American Red Refractor Auto /5 PSA 10 went from $9,500 to a jaw-dropping $11,000 faster than he can likely sink a deep jumper. Not bad for someone who has yet to play a single NBA game—yet his memorabilia is already priced as if worn by seasoned All-Stars.
Then there’s Derik Queen from Maryland, making the collegiate basketball map brighter with incredible buzzer-beaters. His performance has not only sparked on-court success but a roaring blaze in the card market. Considered a golden moment in college basketball, Queen’s shot that pushed Maryland into the Sweet Sixteen was immortalized in the cardboard kingdom through a Bowman U Now card. Prior to this, Queen’s 1/1 Superfractor commemorating an impactful November night sold for $599. It seems Topps has captured lightning in a bottle with the new drop, making collectors restless and eager to acquire their numbered pieces by March 30.
Meanwhile, Kon Knueppel from Duke is climbing quietly yet effectively—not just on the court but on collectors’ draft lists and subsequent wishlists. After a fiery showcase against Miami scoring 25 points, Knueppel’s cards saw a modest, yet promising, increase. A Bowman U Now card featuring the freshman sniper was quickly snapped up for $230, indicative of the intrigue surrounding him as a potential mid-to-late lottery steal. And because one card is never enough when you’re sizzling, Kon’s ACC Tournament MVP nod has also graced the cardboard collectors’ realms.
Then there’s Arizona’s Carter Bryant, a prospect with promising instincts and alluring skill. Despite being overshadowed on the trading card circuit, his Sweet Sixteen rendezvous with powerhouse Duke might just be his catapult to prominence. Though collecting change in the current card market—his Prizm Draft Picks often go for about a dollar—Bryant’s ceiling is tantalizingly high should he unleash his potential on the grand stage.
Finally, we have Isaiah Demonte Evans, another Duke Blue Devil essential to keep an eye on. His impact on the hardwood isn’t prominent yet, but his potential remains a hot topic. Evans’ trading cards, though modest in figures with a Topps McDonald’s All-American Drive-Thru Superfractor 1/1 selling for just under $200, hold the kind of speculative value that could explode should he receive significant minutes and prove his mettle.
With March Madness embracing the Sweet Sixteen, a confluence of talent, opportunity, and sheer spectacle edges the young athletes closer to fulfilling their dreams while simultaneously driving fans and collectors into a fervor. The kaleidoscope of potential NBA stars is beautifully chaotic, promising thrilling moments on the court and intense bidding wars off of it. For those looking to snag the next big name before the rest of the world catches on, this weekend presents a fascinating confluence of opportunities.
Indeed, whether for the love of the game or the rush of investment, the Sweet Sixteen presents an exciting landscape of risk and reward—a captivating spectacle of basketball talent unfolding amidst the frantic flipping of trading cards, each player a chapter and each card potentially an investment not just in a player’s future, but in one’s own fortune.