Victor Wembanyama’s entrance into the basketball world has injected new life into the once-unsteady market for basketball cards. With collectors eagerly awaiting the release of his cards, the surge in draft products and on-demand printing has only added to the excitement. The competition between two card manufacturing giants further intensifies the frenzy as they vie to distribute Wembanyama’s highly sought-after cards.
The towering 7-foot-4-inch French prodigy has sparked a collector’s gold rush, with enthusiasts scrambling to acquire any piece of Wemby memorabilia they can find. Since the initial release of his cards last spring, eBay has witnessed an astounding 62,000 Wembanyama cards being sold, amounting to an impressive $6.3 million in sales. Notably, eighteen of these cards have fetched prices upwards of $10,000 each. In the past month alone, coinciding with his NBA debut, over 27,000 cards have been sold, racking up a total of over $2.6 million in sales.
Among the highlight sales is the sale of one of only five Bowman Chrome University Red Refractor redemption cards from the 2022-23 season, which commanded an impressive $20,000 in August. Another notable sale was a PSA 10 Gold Refractor autograph card from 2022 Bowman U, limited to only 50 copies, which sold for a staggering $15,850.
Wembanyama’s journey over the past two years has been nothing short of meteoric. Often compared to basketball greats such as LeBron James, Wembanyama began his professional career in France at the young age of 15. His exceptional skills, including shot-blocking abilities, agility, and surprising shooting range, have caught the attention of fans and scouts alike. His NBA-ready talents were on full display during his games against the G League’s Ignite team, where he scored an impressive 73 points in just two games. Following his time with Metropolitans 92, Wembanyama was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs after their lottery win.
Wembanyama’s playing style is a perfect blend of old-school and modern play. His dominant presence in the interior and three-point shooting create challenging dynamics for opponents. His advanced basketball intellect, impeccable game-reading skills, and exceptional decision-making under pressure further enhances his impact on the court. His impressive record of scoring 35+ points, grabbing 10+ rebounds, and blocking 2+ shots in a game puts him in the same league as superstar players like Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
While collectors eagerly anticipate the release of a rookie card featuring Wemby in a Spurs jersey, his collegiate and other unlicensed cards remain in high demand and are causing a stir in the market.
Reviewing Wembanyama’s top cards, we find that the 2022 Bowman University Inception holds a special place as his autograph card in this series is highly prized. The 2022 Bowman University Chrome series offers collectors his first base card and chrome autograph. Despite a less-than-stellar finish, these cards hold value due to their ‘1st Bowman’ tag. The 2022 Bowman University Best provides a more accessible base card option and also features Wembanyama’s first live autograph.
Both Topps Now and Panini Instant have featured Wembanyama in limited-time offerings. Topps Now cards capture significant moments like his draft day and a memorable pitch at a Yankees game, while Panini Instant showcases him in his Spurs attire. Additionally, Allen & Ginter’s 2023 collection includes various Wembanyama cards, including base cards, parallels, and autographs. The high availability of these cards has helped to keep their prices relatively affordable.
As the basketball world continues to be captivated by Wembanyama’s talent and potential, the collector’s market for his cards shows no signs of slowing down. With each milestone in his career, collectors can expect a surge of interest and value in his cards, making them highly prized possessions in the thriving basketball card market.
