Victor Wembanyama’s rise in the basketball world has not only captivated fans and scouts but has also energized the basketball card market. As the French prodigy’s career unfolds, collectors are eagerly awaiting the release of his cards, leading to a surge in draft products and on-demand printing. This increased demand has resulted in a fierce competition between two card manufacturing giants vying to distribute Wembanyama’s coveted cards.
The towering 7-foot-4-inch player has triggered a collector’s gold rush, with enthusiasts scrambling to acquire any memorabilia featuring Wembanyama. Since the initial release of his cards last spring, eBay has witnessed the sale of over 62,000 Wembanyama cards, totaling an astounding $6.3 million in sales. Notably, there have been eighteen cards that have fetched prices of over $10,000 each. In just the past month, coinciding with his NBA debut, over 27,000 cards have been sold, racking up a total of over $2.6 million.
Among the notable sales is one of five Bowman Chrome University Red Refractor redemption cards from the 2022-23 season, which commanded an impressive $20,000 in August. Another highlight sale involved a PSA 10 Gold Refractor autograph card from 2022 Bowman U, limited to 50 copies, which sold for $15,850.
Wembanyama’s journey over the past two years has been nothing short of meteoric. Starting his professional career in France at the age of 15, he has been compared to the likes of LeBron James. Known for his exceptional shot-blocking ability, agility, and surprising shooting range for his height, Wembanyama has become the talk of the town among fans and scouts. His NBA-ready talents were showcased during his time with the G League’s Ignite team, where he scored a remarkable 73 points in just two games. Following his successful tenure with Metropolitans 92, he was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs after their lottery win.
Wembanyama’s style of play is a unique blend of old-school and modern basketball. His dominance in the interior and his ability to shoot three-pointers create challenging dynamics for opponents. His advanced basketball intellect, game-reading skills, and ability to make critical decisions under pressure further accentuate his on-court presence. With records of scoring 35+ points, grabbing 10+ rebounds, and blocking 2+ shots in a single game, Wembanyama finds himself among elite company, including players like Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
While a rookie card featuring Wembanyama in a Spurs jersey is still pending, his collegiate and other unlicensed cards remain in high demand among collectors. Some of his top cards include the 2022 Bowman University Inception, where his autograph, available as a redemption, is highly prized. The 2022 Bowman University Chrome offers his first base card and chrome autograph, which hold value for their “1st Bowman” tag. The 2022 Bowman University Best provides a more accessible base card featuring Wembanyama’s first live autograph.
Both Topps Now and Panini Instant have featured Wembanyama in limited-time offers, adding to the excitement among collectors. Topps Now cards capture significant moments in Wembanyama’s career, such as his draft day and even a pitch at a Yankees game, while Panini Instant showcases him in his Spurs attire. Additionally, Allen & Ginter’s 2023 collection includes Wembanyama, featuring base cards, parallels, and autographs, offering affordability due to their high availability.
As Victor Wembanyama’s star continues to rise in the basketball world, the demand for his cards shows no signs of slowing down. Collectors eagerly await the next release, hoping to add these highly sought-after cards to their collections. And while the competition between card manufacturers intensifies, it is clear that the presence of Wembanyama has injected new life into the basketball card market.
