Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4-inch French basketball prodigy, has electrified the basketball card market. As his career unfolds, collectors are eagerly awaiting the release of his cards, creating a surge in draft products and on-demand printing. This vitality is further amplified by the competition between two card manufacturing giants vying to distribute his highly-coveted cards.
Collectors have been scrambling to acquire any memorabilia featuring Wembanyama, leading to a gold rush in the basketball card market. Since his initial card release last spring, eBay has witnessed the sale of over 62,000 Wembanyama cards, resulting in a staggering $6.3 million in sales. Notably, eighteen of these cards have fetched prices exceeding $10,000 each. In the past month alone, coinciding with his NBA debut, over 27,000 cards have been sold, amounting to over $2.6 million.
One standout sale includes one of five Bowman Chrome University Red Refractor redemption cards from the 2022-23 season, which commanded an impressive $20,000 in August. Another noteworthy sale was a PSA 10 Gold Refractor autograph card from 2022 Bowman U, limited to 50 copies, which sold for $15,850.
Wembanyama’s rise over the past two years has been meteoric. At just 15 years old, he started his professional career in France and has since been compared to the likes of LeBron James. His exceptional skills, including shot-blocking, agility, and surprising shooting range for his height, have made him the talk of fans and scouts. During his time with Metropolitans 92, he showcased his NBA-ready talents against the G League’s Ignite team, scoring an impressive 73 points across two games. As a result, he was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs following their lottery win.
Wembanyama’s playing style is a unique blend of old-school and modern techniques. His interior dominance and three-point shooting create challenging dynamics for opponents. Additionally, his advanced basketball intellect, game-reading skills, and decision-making under pressure highlight his on-court presence. His record of scoring 35+ points, grabbing 10+ rebounds, and blocking 2+ shots in a game puts him among elite company, including players like Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
While collectors eagerly await a rookie card featuring Wemby in a Spurs jersey, his collegiate and other unlicensed cards remain in high demand.
A review of his top cards includes the 2022 Bowman University Inception, where his autograph, a redemption, is particularly sought after. The 2022 Bowman University Chrome offers his first base card and chrome autograph. Despite a lackluster finish, these cards are valued for their “1st Bowman” designation. The 2022 Bowman University Best provides a more accessible base card and Wembanyama’s first live autograph.
Both Topps Now and Panini Instant have featured Wembanyama in limited-time offers. Topps Now cards capture memorable moments like his draft day and a Yankees game pitch, while Panini Instant showcases him wearing a Spurs jersey. Allen & Ginter’s 2023 collection includes Wembanyama with base cards, parallels, and autographs, maintaining affordability due to their high availability.
The arrival of Victor Wembanyama has brought a newfound energy to the basketball card market. Collectors are eagerly seeking his cards, leading to skyrocketing sales and a surge in interest. With two major card manufacturing giants competing for distribution, the hype around Wembanyama’s cards shows no signs of slowing down.
