May 15, 2023
Contents hide
1 Introducing Wemby rookie cards
2 What is the worst case for Victor Wembanyama basketball cards?
3 What is the Best Case for Victor Wembanyama Basketball Cards?
4 How to Invest in Victor Wembanyama Rookie Cards
5 Mistakes to avoid when investing in Victor Wembanyama Rookie Cards
5.1 Buying the wrong cards
5.2 Buying overpopulated cards
5.3 Thinking more is more
6 Tips to remember when investing in Victor Wembanyama Rookie Cards
6.1 Buy parallels
6.2 Buy autographs
6.3 Buy sealed wax
7 Investing in sealed Basketball card boxes for Victor Wembanyama rookies
8 Best Victor Wembanyama rookie cards to buy
9 Best Affordable Victor Wembanyama Rookie Cards
9.1 Numbered Donruss Parallel
9.2 Optic Holo
9.3 Unnumbered Autograph
10 Best High-End Victor Wembanyama Rookie Cards
10.1 Numbered Prizm Rookie
10.2 Contenders Rookie Autograph
10.3 National Treasures RPA
11 Are you ready to invest in Victor Wembanyama RCs?
Victor Wembanyama has the potential to change basketball cards, and the NBA, in a way very few players have ever accomplished. Heâs a special enough talent that we wanted to put together this guide to help guide investors before Wembanyamaâs rookie cards even release.
How should we invest in Wembanyama RCs? Should you buy sealed boxes or singles? Will people be pitching tents at Target to pick up Prizm once again?
Hereâs everything you need to know about Victor Wembanyama rookie cards.
Introducing Wemby rookie cards
Victor Wembanyama, or âWemby,â is a French basketball player that is the most highly-touted prospect since LeBron James. Standing at least 7â5â and still growing, heâs not only enormous but has enough athleticism, ball skills, and a shooting stroke that make him look more like a video game create-a-player than a real prospect.
At age 19, heâs already been making major highlights overseas for several years now, including a recent put-back slam on his own missed three-pointer.
Heâs the type of talent that could immediately turn the tables for even the most dreadful of franchises, much like LeBron forever changing the fate of Cleveland sports in 2003.
20 years later, Wembanyama could overtake Luka, Giannis, and all the other young stars in collecting hype as soon as he sets foot on an NBA floor, lighting the sports card world on fire yet again.
Jordan made card collecting cool. LeBron made card collecting cool. And Zion, during the pandemic, even had his moment, but now Wemby looks to take it to the next level. Are you ready to invest?
What is the worst case for Victor Wembanyama basketball cards?
It is hard to imagine a situation where Wemby flops. Heâs so tall, athletically gifted, and seems level-headed enough that his success is all but guaranteed. The level of success, however, is still up in the air. Will he be like LeBron, pegged âthe Chosen Oneâ long before actually setting the NBA scoring record? Perhaps. Or maybe heâs just very, very good. Either way, though.
The worst case for Wembanyama is that his unique size and figure arenât built to withstand the NBA. Zion, largely, has disappointed because he canât stay on the floor. And thatâs the nightmare scenario for Wemby, too. But if heâs on the floor, heâll be amazing.
What is the Best Case for Victor Wembanyama Basketball Cards?
Thereâs a world where Wembanyama is the best basketball player for the next decade or more. Donât get it wrong, he wonât be there immediately. But after a season or two, he could become âthe guyâ who is surprised you see to miss the Finals.
That was LeBron for a decade, and now itâs probably a combination of Steph and Giannis. âThe Road to the Finals runs through themâ â that sort of mindset.
Jokic is a guy like that, too, although heâs never been to the Finals upon writing this (but I suspect that changes soon).
Best case, Wemby is every bit of that and more. And if heâs a LeBron-level talent, knowing what cards to buy in 2023 could literally change your life or help you retire early.
How to Invest in Victor Wembanyama Rookie Cards
One thing is nearly for certain: the market is about to get flooded with Victor Wembanyama.
Topps is already getting in on the action, even without an NBA License. Theyâre releasing the first-ever Wemby rookie auto on June 6, 2023, with the Bowman Chrome University Basketball.
And weâre in a unique situation since Fantatics (through Topps, presumably) is taking over cards in the next few years, so itâs impossible to predict how the market will react.

While Prizm will be the hot rookie for Wemby this year, will it also be the best Wemby rookie when Topps Chrome is once again the main basketball set? (Our guess: probably, since LeBron Topps Chrome Rookies are still king).
Nothing is set in stone, but we can still do our best to predict the future. Here are a few investment strategies.
Mistakes to avoid when investing in Victor Wembanyama Rookie Cards
Here are a few ways that you can miss the mark when buying Victor Wembanyama rookie cards.
Buying the wrong cards
While there are no licensed Wemby rookie cards that are out yet, you can still find a lot of his ârookiesâ on eBay right now with a simple search. Donât buy those. Theyâre made by mom-and-pop card printers trying to take advantage of the early boom. Y
ou should wait until licensed cards come out, and better yet, NBA jersey cards. Itâs hard to say what âdraft picksâ cards would be worth for LeBron since they werenât around in 2003, but we can safely assume theyâd be worth a fraction of his NBA-licensed rookies.
Buying overpopulated cards
The buzz is going to be real for Wemby cards, but buying base rookie cards is going to be a mistake, even if Wemby becomes the generational talent we think he is. Cards are being printed at an all-time high right now, so even Prizm rookies wonât hold their value like they should if there are 15,000 PSA 10 Wemby rookies a decade from now. Avoid those.
Thinking more is more
Rookie collectors often prioritize having a lot of cards, but remember that youâre better off holding fewer cards that are more valuable ones. Just like the cards described in the previous point, investing in quantity leads to buying overprinted ones while investing in quality leads to smaller supplies that will hold value better.

Tips to remember when investing in Victor Wembanyama Rookie Cards
Buy parallels
Itâs often better to have one numbered parallel rookie card than ten of the base version of the same. Before buying a base card, look at the PSA population report for whatever set youâre considering and how the populations line up from star rookies of the past.
Try to find a parallel or SP that carries a fraction of the population of the base. Supply and demand play a major role in long-term value, so always buy something with a limited supply.
Buy autographs
Wembanyama autographs, much like the parallels, will sidestep all the concerns around the overprinted cards. Having an autograph gives them a personal touch and sets a finite limit to how many copies can be created, while Panini can print practically unlimited quantities of standard base and unnumbered cards.
Buy sealed wax
Old horror movies operated on the idea that the human mind can come up with something far scarier than what youâll ever see on screen. In the same way, people imagine best-case scenarios for ripping boxes of cards.
Because of that, sealed boxes are almost always worth more than the actual cards inside, and if you can buy sealed product of the correct product (more on that soon), it could sore in value in the future thanks to the power of wishful thinking.
Investing in sealed Basketball card boxes for Victor Wembanyama rookies
Ready to start investing in Wembanyama rookies? Buying sealed wax is a safe bet to keep its value over time⊠if you buy the right product.
What are the best products to buy? Hereâs our list of best brands, which can also be taken as the best brands to invest in. Be sure to read the full article right here. But remember, these cards will be pricey so please be smart with your investing.
- Prizm
- Donruss Optic
- Select
- National Treasures
- Contenders
- Spectra
- Donruss
- Flawless
- Contenders Optic
- Absolute Memorabilia
This is an opinioned list, of course, but I based it on a combination of factors including price, newness, print size, and how many rookies it contains (âtoo manyâ is a real concern with some products.)
In other words, while Iâd much rather have a box of National Treasures than Prizm, thereâs a âbang for your buckâ factor influencing the ratings.
Best Victor Wembanyama rookie cards to buy
Investors have very different types of budgets, and we wanted to cover all of them. Here are our predictions for the cards to buy if youâre looking to invest in Victor Wembanyama on any budget.

Best Affordable Victor Wembanyama Rookie Cards
Here are the best Victor Wembanyama rookies to buy on a budget. Bonus points if theyâre a PSA 10 (pro-tip: grade them yourself instead of buying them graded).
Numbered Donruss Parallel
My top pick for a Wembayama rookie would be a numbered Donruss parallel. These are great cards and a top brand â think of it like the LeBron Topps Rookie from 2003. If you can pick up a numbered rookie at a decent price, Iâd take that over a base Prizm every day of the week.
Optic Holo
Optic Holos have historically cost less than Silver Prizms while also carrying a lower population. It might not seem like it now, but thatâs going to matter a lot in ten yearsâ time.
Unnumbered Autograph
An unnumbered autograph from a set like Prizm, Optic or the like will cost a lot, but could also be worth a lot more in the future.
Best High-End Victor Wembanyama Rookie Cards
Looking to go big? Here are some cards that will cost a lot when they release, but could also be worth more than a new truck if Wemby pans out. Again, bonus points if they grade well at PSA.
Numbered Prizm Rookie
A numbered Prizm rookie of Wemby could be worth a small fortune. Numbered Luka rookies from the same set can sell for $50,000 or more if theyâre numbered low enough, and imagine if Wemby is even better.
Contenders Rookie Autograph
Contenders is the most iconic rookie autograph. The rookie ticket autograph gets more variations and parallels every year, it seems, but if you can find a nice one that you like, thatâs an early-retirement sort of card if Wemby hits.
National Treasures RPA
Okay, letâs be real here: if you have the money to buy a /99 Wemby RPA, youâre probably not reading this. Your executive assistant is. But this will be the holy grail of non-1-of-1 Wemby rookies, and if you want a card that has six-figure potential, here it is.
Are you ready to invest in Victor Wembanyama RCs?
Wembymania is nearly upon us, and much like winning a basketball game, you need a strategy going into it. Everybody is going to be excited for these cards, but not everybody is going to be strategic with how they buy them.
Being smarter than collectors now can make you wealthier than those collectors in the future. Are you ready for the challenge? How do you plan on investing in Wemby? Let us know on Twitter @card_lines and be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter right here.
FAQs
How much will a Victor Wembanyama rookie card cost? âș
Victor Wembanyama basketball cards going for over $23,000 at auction. Even the Wembanyama redemption basketball cards are going for thousands of dollars. SAN ANTONIO â French basketball megastar Victor Wembanyama is set to take the NBA by storm.
Are basketball rookie cards worth anything? âșFrom Scottie Barnes's 2021-22 Rookie Autographed Cards selling for upwards of $7,000 to Cade Cunningham's 2021-22 Rookie Card going for more than $10,000 in 2022, it's safe to say that basketball cards are some of the most valuable trading cards currently available.
What basketball cards are worth the most money? âș- 1948 George Mikan. ...
- 1961 Jerry West. ...
- 1986 Michael Jordan. ...
- 1957-58 Bill Russell. ...
- 1993 Shaquille O'Neal. ...
- 2003 LeBron James. ...
- 1996-97 Kobe Bryant. ...
- 1961-62 Wilt Chamberlain.
While Honus Wagner's card is generally seen as the holy grail for baseball card fans, it's Mantle's rookie that takes the top spot. On August 28 of 2022, a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps Card sold for $12.6 million to an anonymous buyer.
What is the rarest rookie card? âș1. Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps. It's believed there are only three PSA 10 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie cards that exist, making it the most valuable rookie card of all time, in any sport.
Are sports cards from the 90s worthless? âșIf you're looking to sell your late-80s and early-90s cards, you're not alone. The cards are worthless because nobody's buying. Don't blame the card shop owner for not wanting them. They won't be able to sell them, so if they take them off your hands, they're merely adding to a potential fire hazard.
What apps tell you how much a basketball card is worth? âșCollX's visual search technology instantly recognizes and matches against a database of 17+ million sports cards. After identifying the best match, you'll immediately get the current average market price for the card.
How do I know if my NBA card is worth money? âșCollX (pronounced âcollectsâ) is the fastest way to figure out what your cards are worth. Snap photos of them and instantly get the current market price. Add them to your collection and track your overall portfolio value. You can even buy, sell, grade, and trade your cards with other collectors.
What is the best brand of NBA rookie cards? âșAs has been the case for years, Panini holds the exclusive rights for officially-licensed NBA cards. These sets tend to offer the most valuable and popular rookie cards.
Should I get rookie cards graded? âșIn addition to adding value, a graded card provides much better liquidity. If you need to sell your card, the chances are (considering equal grades) that a graded copy will sell for more money than a raw copy. Buyers have trust in the big three third-party graders and their ability to provide an accurate grade.
What NBA rookie cards are hot? âș
- #5 â Jabari Smith Rookie Card.
- #4 â Keegan Murray Rookie Card.
- #3- Jaden Ivey Rookie Card.
- #2 Bennedict Mathurin Rookie Card.
- #1 Paolo Banchero Rookie Card.
- Hottest Basketball Rookie Cards 2023 Honorable Mentions.
1909-1911 Honus Wagner T206
Considered the rarest and most valuable baseball card in existence, there are only about 50 copies of this full-color card from 1909 to 1911, known as the T206 Wagner. In 2016, one sold at auction for $3.12 million.
Online marketplaces like eBay and Craigslist are both places you can sell your basketball cards. By selling your cards online, you get to decide how much you want to charge for them. Just make sure the price you're asking for is reasonable or you may not get any buyers.
How do you know if a basketball card is rare? âșCheck For The Print Run
It's become quite common with modern card releases to see limited card sets include the number on the design â this is obviously an easy way to establish the rarity of a sports card. Many card manufacturers will also release details on the print run for print-to-demand card sets.
The 1986/87 Fleer Michael Jordan #57 RC is one of the most sought-after cards in the world. It has been described as "the holy grail" and is considered one of the rarest basketball cards in existence.
What baseball card is worth $1000000? âșThese cards, like the T206 Honus Wagner and the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, are incredibly rare and sought after by collectors. In conclusion, the T206 Honus Wagner and the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle are two of the most valuable baseball cards in the world, with both cards selling for over $1 million.
Are Bo Jackson cards worth anything? âșOverall about 1597 Cards of Bo Jackson have been traded in the last 30 days on ebay. The average price was $23.93. The price range was from $0.25 for 2022 Topps Archives 1988 Topps Big Foil #88B Bo Jackson by Topps Archives from 2022 to $828.0 for 1987 Classic Game #15 Bo Jackson PSA 10 by Classic Game from 1987.
What is the most rarest card on earth? âșThe Shichifukujin Dragon, created to celebrate the opening of the DCI Tournament Center in Tokyo, Japan, is also the only one of its kind in existence. In Japanese mythology, 'Shichifukujin' is the name given to the Seven Deities of Good Fortune.
What is the rarest card sold? âșThe current record price is the US$12.6 million paid for a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card (Topps; #311) on August 28, 2022, breaking all previous records.
Which Ken Griffey Jr cards are worth money? âș- 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. #220 card. Valuation: $14,000. ...
- 1989 Topps Heads Up Ken Griffey Jr. #5 Test. ...
- 1989 Upper Deck #1 Star Rookie card. Valuation: $85 to $2,050. ...
- 1989 Mother's Cookies Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards. ...
- 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr./Ken Griffey Sr. #259.
Are Mark McGwire cards worth anything? âș
Overall about 1053 Cards of Mark McGwire have been traded in the last 30 days on ebay. The average price was $23.76. The price range was from $0.1 for 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter Banner Seasons #BS-50 Mark McGwire by Topps Allen & Ginter from 2022 to $2751.0 for 1985 Topps #401 Mark McGwire PSA 10 by Topps from 1985.
Should I throw away my old baseball cards? âșOne of the mistakes that card collectors make when they retire is that they throw away their old cards. Instead of doing this, you and other collectors can benefit if you decide to sell baseball cards rather than throw them away.
Is sports card collecting dying? âșThe hobby is far from dead. In fact, there's not much doubt the card market is a much bigger arena than it was just 3-4 years ago, but it's safe to say that things aren't quite as robust overall as they were at this time last year.
How do I know if my sports card is worth a lot? âșTo find the value of sports cards, there is no better source than eBay. eBay will show you exactly what a particular card in a variety of conditions has recently sold for.
How do I know if my sports card is worth grading? âșIn order to tell if a card is worth grading, there are two main factors. One, check to make sure the condition is worthy of grading. Visually inspect the corners, centering, surface, and edges. If the corners are sharp, the card is centered, and the surface and edges are free of blemishes, it's a great first step.
What NBA cards to buy? âșSome of the best card packs to buy are the 2021-22 Panini Prizm hobby box, the 2022-23 Panini Chronicles Draft pack, Panini Select, and National Treasures. Look for rookie cards like Michael Jordan's 1985 Nike Promo, LeBron James' 2003 Topps Chrome Refractor, and Luka Doncic's 2018 Panini Prizm Silver.
Is there a sports card grading app? âșTrue Grade is an auto-grading and pricing sports card service for individuals who are looking for a quicker and easier way to have their cards graded. Users can create an account that will allow them to take a photo of their card, grade it on the spot, and save their card in a collection for their records.
Which NBA cards are expensive? âșHolding the distinction of the most valuable unsigned modern era trading card, the one-of-one Giannis Antetokounmpo Panini Prizm #290 Black Mosaic also has the honor of the second Antetokounmpo card to top $1 million.
Are basketball cards good investments? âșSo long as we aren't in another junk wax era of sports cards, buying and holding onto unopened boxes (known as âsealed waxâ in hobby parlance) should be a relatively safe long-term investment. Since most people tend to rip boxes as soon as they get them, supply will gradually diminish over time, driving its value up.
What NBA rookies to invest in? âș- Paolo Banchero. Orlando Magic man-child Paolo Banchero is far and away the top rookie in the league this year. ...
- Bennedict Mathurin. ...
- Walker Kessler. ...
- Keegan Murray. ...
- Jaden Ivey.
Are rookie cards worth more signed? âș
The decades-old argument about getting a player's autograph on his rookie card continues to rage, only nowadays it isn't necessarily considered taboo. A player's signature on his rookie card â or any card, for that matter â can actually add value, certainly sentimentally if not financially.
Is it better to sell cards raw or graded? âșSelling the card UNGRADED is the safest move unless you're ABSOLUTELY certain that you'll garner a NM-MT or better grade. However, PSA 9 and PSA 10 examples are why so many people clamor to grade this card.
Who is the most reliable card grading? âșIn conclusion, when it comes to card grading, it's important to do your research and choose a reliable grading company. PSA, BGS, SGC, and CGC are all respected grading companies, but PSA is generally considered the most reliable by the majority of collectors.
What is the cheapest way to get cards graded? âșOf the major grading companies, BGS currently offers the cheapest card grading service, which is $18 to grade a single card at the âBaseâ level. This is $2 less than CSG's âEconomyâ level, $5 less than PSA's âValueâ service, and $4 less than SGC.
What rookie cards to look for in 2023? âșAsk for 2023 AL Rookie of the Year predictions and Gunnar Henderson, Oswald Peraza, Triston Casas, Hunter Brown and Masataka Yoshida will likely be among the first names mentioned.
What cards to collect in 2023? âș- Mickey Mantle cards. Chart tracking price of assets similar to SGC 7 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle card. ...
- Honus Wagner cards. ...
- Luka DonÄiÄ rookie cards. ...
- Mike Trout cards. ...
- Ronald Acuna Jr.
2023 NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR ODDS
Orlando Magic' forward Paolo Banchero has been named the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year and is the recipient of the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy, which given to the top rookie in the regular season, as voted on by the media in both the US and Canada.
There are four Babe Ruth cards in the 1933 Goudey set, but #53âthe Yellow Ruthâis the most sought-after card of the quartet. It's considered the hardest to find, though all are highly valued. In July 2021, a Yellow Ruth sold at auction for $4.2 million.
What baseball card sold for 12.6 million? âș1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card. A Mickey Mantle baseball card has become the most world's most expensive piece of sports memorabilia after fetching $12.6 million at auction.
Are Nolan Ryan cards worth anything? âșThe most valuable Card of Nolan Ryan is currently 1972 Topps #595 Nolan Ryan PSA 10 by Topps from 1972 with a worth of approx. $45600.0.
How to sell thousands of sports cards? âș
For cards that don't have a high value, listing them on eBay or another online marketplace is usually the quickest and most efficient option. However, if you have more valuable cards, it's best to sell them through a trusted dealer or auction house that specializes in the trading of sports cards.
Can you make money from basketball cards? âșGrading and selling: Grading companies like PSA and Beckett can assign a grade to your #sportscards based on their condition, with higher grades typically commanding higher prices. If you have a collection of cards in good condition, getting them graded and then selling them could be a profitable strategy.
Does it cost money to get basketball cards graded? âșSGC is offering new pricing based on turnaround times and the number of cards. More on SGC turnaround times. Beckett grading costs include the Economy service at $35, Standard at $50, Express at $100, and Premium at $200. More.
How do I know if my baseball card is worth money? âșSpecialists appraise baseball cards based on numerous factors, including overall condition, rarity, scarcity, grading, print variation, print quality, and, of course, the person featured on the card. Combined, these characteristics can determine the price and worth of a baseball card.
What is the rarest basketball card ever? âșOne of the rarer basketball sets in the hobby is the 1968 Topps Test issue that was never distributed to the public. Many think they were an attempt by Topps to obtain an NBA license and re-enter the basketball card market. Leading the way at card #1 in the set is none other than Wilt Chamberlain.
What is the expensive Ken Griffey Jr rookie card? âș1993 Topps Finest Refractor MBA PSA 10 - $26,400. 1993 was the first year of Topps Finest, a revolutionary optichrome trading card. Early Finest designs have held up very well throughout the hobby's history, and many modern sets draw inspiration from them.
Are Sports Illustrated Kids cards worth anything? âșBottomline On Sports Illustrated For Kids Cards
However, keep in mind that most Sports Illustrated for Kids cards are pretty much worthless. The ones with value are unique cards without clear equivalents in major releases.
The most valuable brand of baseball card can vary depending on the specific card, however, Topps is generally the most constantly valuable baseball card brand. Topps is considered the leader of the industry, and rookie cards produced by Topps are often very highly sought after.
Why is Rickey Henderson rookie card so expensive? âșArticle snapshot. Rickey Henderson's rookie cards have garnered significant attention, with the Gem Mint versions selling for six figures since 2021. Henderson's career as a five-tool player, record-breaking stats, and Hall of Fame induction makes his cards valuable.
How many Nolan Ryan rookie cards exist? âș1968 Topps Milton Bradley #177 Nolan Ryan Rookie Card Facts
In total, the set is composed of 132 cards: 77 baseball, 33 football and 22 hot rod cards.
What Jose Canseco cards are worth money? âș
The most valuable Card of Jose Canseco is currently 2019 Topps Update 1984 Topps Baseball Autographs 150th Anniversary #84A-JCA Jose Canseco /150 PSA 9 by Topps Update from 2019 with a worth of approx. $31.0.
What is the most expensive Sports Illustrated for Kids card? âșFinally, we saw the 1997 Sports Illustrated For Kids Kobe Bryant card in a PSA 10 Gem Mint â the only one that exists in that condition in the world â sell for $90,000. We may never see that card come up to auction again.â
Is there an app that tells you how much sports cards are worth? âșCollX lets you scan the front and back of a card to reveal its value instantly. It works with all kinds of cards: baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer and wrestling sports cards. It also scans PokĂ©mon, Magic, and Yu-Gi-Oh cards, too.
Whose picture is on the most valuable baseball card? âșThe current record price is the US$12.6 million paid for a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card (Topps; #311) on August 28, 2022, breaking all previous records.