When the cards were first capitalized on by tobacco companies over a century ago, one would have hardly guessed their sales would come to move in line with a player’s draft stock. Reflection of March Madness performances? Just check the card values alongside projections! Caitlin Clark and Zion Williomson know it well. 2025 is giving a taste to Paige Bueckers. How could the Maine Event miss out? The draft is nearing, the tournament is in full swing, and Cooper Flagg cards have a story to define.

Scottie Pippen comparisons, no.1 pick projections, and ‘next big thing’ talks rained when the freshman sensation rolled into the scene. And by March, he is letting you know that wasn’t just a fluke. Through 4 tournament wins, he has averaged 19.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 5.3 APG, and 1.8 BPG, while being a frontrunner in the NPOY race. To lock it all in, his cards are soaring in price.

On Sunday night, his 2024 Topps Chrome McDonald’s All-American Half-Court Offense Signatures SuperFractor 1/1 rookie card made history on Fanatics Collect. Graded GEM MT 10 by PSA, the card is already smashing expectations. Right now, the top bid is $43,000. That blows past the old record of $28,800 for a Flagg card. And with bidding closing on April 3—just before he hits the Final Four—this could be his most expensive sale yet.

Flagg’s hype isn’t just about the future. It’s about what he’s doing now. The Duke freshman is leading the charge in March Madness, and the hoops community is watching. Since bidding opened on March 25, his PSA 10 SuperFractor Auto has drawn 78 bids.

He’s not the first college star to pull big numbers. But his sales are getting close to the biggest ever. Earlier this year, Caitlin Clark’s 2022 1st Bowman University Autograph SuperFractor 1/1 PSA 10 went for $75,000. Zion Williamson’s best college card topped out at $28,800. Flagg’s fast rise is a sign that collectors are rethinking college cards. His upcoming cards in 2024-25 Bowman Chrome University Basketball and Panini Prizm Draft Picks will be hot. If Duke keeps winning, more will follow.

Right now, though, all eyes are on this auction. And with Flagg still in the tournament, his stock might just keep rising.

Cooper Flagg’s Biggest Test: Duke vs. Houston in the Final Four

Cooper Flagg and Duke have got their biggest test yet— Houston.

The Cougars are known to play exceptional defense, having conceded no more than 50 in the last 2 games, and are on a 17-game win streak. Add 2nd Final Four since 2021, and some toughness to the mix, and the Blue Devils witness their tightest spread of the season at 4.5. Moreover, Houston’s bigger strength has been their 3-point shooting. Their nation-leading 40% average has helped them steamroll through the tourney, glaringly so against Tennessee where their clutch 3 won the game.

If you ask their star guard Milos Uzan, they have but one strategy. “I feel like we always want to throw the first punch. It’s super-important to keep our foot on their necks,” he says.

Duke know to protect its rim and defend their paint, making for the top defense of the country. Their freshman class alongside Tyrese Proctor aren’t easing down on the offensive end either. The stakes are high. Duke vs. Houston is a battle of heavyweights. If Flagg steps up, he’ll prove once again why he’s the best player in college basketball.