The rhythmic thump of the basketball on hardwood floors, the echo of the buzzer signaling victory or defeat, and the ecstatic roars of college basketball fans—the fervor of March Madness is undeniably upon us. It’s a season where heroes are made, and none more so than in the Sweet Sixteen stage. While teams vie for a spot in the illustrious Elite Eight, another kind of battle wages in a more subtle arena—the card market. A veritable feeding frenzy is brewing among collectors, and talented young players thrust into the spotlight are the tastiest morsels of them all.
Duke’s Cooper Flagg, a name that has graced the lips of fans and collectors alike, stands as the crown jewel of this narrative. The 6’8” freshman, once dubbed the future of basketball, is living up to every expectation. He’s painting defenses with his deceptive agility, dazzling us with precision plays, and acting as a pied piper for those who invest in collectibles. His card prices are climbing at an astonishing rate, reflecting his skyrocketing stock. Take, for instance, the 2024 Topps Chrome McDonald’s All-American Red Refractor Auto /5 PSA 10, which recently fetched $11,000—a remarkable jump from its $9,500 sale price just two days prior. All this without an NBA game to his name. For Flagg, the trajectory seems upward, and the Sweet Sixteen could be yet another chapter in his burgeoning legend.
While Cooper writes his epic, Derik Queen of Maryland pens a different kind of story—one punctuated by the sharp exclamation of a buzzer-beater. With a last-second three-pointer, Queen propelled his team into the Sweet Sixteen, instantly immortalized by collectors as Topps captured the moment on a Bowman U Now card. Queen is no stranger to the limelight; his earlier exploits—including a stunning 22-point, 20-rebound game—have seen his 1/1 Superfractor soar to $599. Given his current thrill-seeker status, newer releases are generating buzz and anticipation—just like Queen himself whenever he has possession on the court.
Then there’s Kon Knueppel, also of Duke, who’s quietly ascended draft boards with his sharpshooting prowess. He roasted Miami to a crispy 25-point fricassee—a performance commemorated by his own Bowman U Now card trading at $230. Not just content with points, Knueppel has pocketed the ACC Tournament MVP card, making his name one to remember as his draft stock, and card value, continue to rise.
Shifting from shooting stars to potential gems, Carter Bryant represents the archetype of underappreciated brilliance. At 6’8″, wielding a strong defensive acumen and adaptable perimeter skills, Bryant seems primed for the modern NBA. Yet, his card market presence is in the bargain bin—for now. Arizona’s clash with Duke might just be the stage for Bryant to showcase fireworks, potentially transforming his card’s value from pauper to prince should he deliver a standout performance.
A shadowy figure on the verge of stepping into the light, Isaiah Demonte Evans from Duke has yet to have his meteoric moment. Though currently relegated to a sympathetic 7 minutes against Baylor, collectors with an eye for potential are keeping tabs. His 2024 Topps McDonald’s All-American Drive-Thru Superfractor 1/1 was picked up for nearly $200, while a Jersey Patch Auto /5 hit $275. Not staggering sums, but a hint of the speculation swirling around his dormant abilities, ready to awaken should the opportunity arise.
As the Sweet Sixteen intensifies, these rising talents—and their corresponding cardboard iterations—are heating up. National attention, hopes pinned on NBA futures, and an electric card market create a perfect storm that provides a sumptuous buffet for collectors and fans alike. Those in search of the next big name will find the weekend an opportune moment: these prodigious players have a stage, a spotlight, and their destinies awaiting them. The Sweet Sixteen is more than basketball; it’s a coronation of future legends and the beginning of tales told in echoes of applause and nacho cheese-stained thumbs remembering the buzzer-beater moments that defined a generation.
