Can you hear that? The sounds of screaming fans, clinking glasses, repetitive commercials, and yes, Bill Rafferty yelling “Onions!”
March Madness is an American sporting event unlike any other, from the buzzer beaters to the Cinderella stories and baseline Js, deep threes, and windmill dunks in between. Sadly, days from now your bracket will be busted, with your alma mater scheming of ways to win the 2026-27 season. But you? You’ve still got skin in the game thanks to the newest additions to your PC.
With the NBA Draft still months away, many are clamoring for cards from the top of this year’s crop, counting down the days until Bowman Chrome University Basketball and Bowman Best University hobby boxes drop. Until then, you’ll have to look at previous releases to see which players even have cards at this point. And unfortunately it’s not all of them.
Here are the top players in the men’s and women’s NCAA tournament that currently have cards available for purchase.
Men’s Hoops
AJ Dybantsa – BYU (Forward)
The 19-year-old phenom led the nation in scoring as a true freshman with 25.3 points per game, propelling BYU to a #10 overall seed. Collectors can find his first official autographs in the newly released 2025 Topps Chrome McDonald’s All-American set. Demand is already astronomical, with rare parallels from this release currently listed for up to $10,000 on eBay. If the Cougars can avoid a first-round upset against Texas, Dybantsa’s market will only get hotter.
Cameron Boozer – Duke (Forward)
Arguably the best overall player entering the tournament, Boozer’s trading card market is surprisingly scarce. Currently, collectors are limited to his SI For Kids Leaf releases and Topps Bowman U Now instant cards. With standard Bowman University products still on the horizon, his current lack of inventory makes any available pieces highly sought after. Savvy collectors should keep a close eye on his Bowman U Now print runs as Duke begins its tournament run.
Darryn Peterson – Kansas (Guard)
Despite missing 11 games this season, the projected number one overall NBA draft pick makes scoring look effortless whenever he steps on the court. His flagship early cards and autographs can be found in the 2025 Topps McDonald’s All-American release. You can currently scoop up his autographs from this set for around $200 on eBay, presenting a solid buy-in window. A deep tournament run by the Jayhawks could quickly cause those prices to spike.
Darrius Acuff Jr. – Arkansas (Guard)
Acuff has been on an absolute tear since early February, averaging an incredible 28.2 points, 7.2 assists, and shooting 50.7% from three-point range. While he doesn’t have official autographs yet, he was featured in the 2024-25 Panini Draft Picks product. A PSA 10 Rated Prospect parallel numbered to /225 recently sold for nearly $200 in January. If he continues his scorching hot shooting in the tournament, his limited early parallels will dry up fast.
Labaron Philon Jr. – Alabama (Guard)
The 6’6″ guard took a massive leap this season, more than doubling his offensive output from last year to average 21.7 points per game. He made his cardboard debut last year, and his prized 1st Bowman autographs can be found in 2024-25 Bowman Chrome University. His market remains incredibly accessible right now, with raw autos selling under $30 and PSA 10 base autos hovering around $50 on eBay. If the Crimson Tide make a deep run, Philon could be the ultimate tournament sleeper investment.
Women’s Hoops
Sarah Strong – UConn (Forward)
Widely considered the best player in the women’s tournament, Strong is an absolute superstar on the hardwood. Her key rookie-era cards are featured in 2024-25 Bowman Chrome University, Bowman Best University, and the 2024 McDonald’s All-American set. A PSA 10 refractor 1st Bowman autograph currently commands nearly $200 on the secondary market. As she looks to lead the Huskies to another title, her flagship autos are premium assets for any modern collection.
Azzi Fudd – UConn (Guard)
The five-year Huskies veteran averaged an impressive 18 points per game this season while teaming up with Sarah Strong for a formidable tournament push. Fudd finally received her first official cards and autographs in Panini’s highly anticipated 2024-25 UConn NIL boxes. Depending on the parallel rarity, PSA 10 autographs from this exclusive product are consistently selling for $400 or more. Her proven track record and massive fanbase make her NIL cards a cornerstone for women’s basketball collectors.
Audi Crooks – Iowa State (Center)
Crooks was a dominant force in the paint this year, averaging 25.5 points per game, dropping 41 points on multiple occasions, and leading the Cyclones to a 22-9 record. Her 1st Bowman base autographs in a PSA 10 grade are currently moving for around $150 on eBay. High-end collectors have already taken notice, with several of her rarer parallels eclipsing the $1,000 mark in early 2026. A strong showing in March will only solidify her status as a premier big in the hobby.
Hannah Hidalgo – Notre Dame (Guard)
The reigning ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year carried the Irish with 26.1 points per game down the stretch, while also leading the nation in steals. Hidalgo has prominent cards in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Bowman University Chrome releases. You can find her raw 2023-24 1st Bowman base autographs for roughly $65, though her rarest parallels command upwards of $1,000. As arguably the best two-way player in the country, she offers elite upside for tournament collectors.
Mikayla Blakes – Vanderbilt (Guard)
Often debated as the second-best player in the entire tournament behind Strong, Blakes has a massive ceiling on the court and in the hobby. Her primary chases are located in 2024-25 Bowman Chrome University, Bowman Best University, and the 2024 McDonald’s All-American set. Collectors can acquire her 1st Bowman autographs for under $90, though premium pulls like a PSA 10 /10 Bowman Best auto recently secured nearly $350 on eBay. She presents fantastic value for a player with true superstar potential this March.
Who are you collecting this March? Let us know on Mantel.
