Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4-inch French prodigy, has become the talk of the basketball card market. With his towering height and exceptional skills, collectors are clamoring to get their hands on any Wemby memorabilia. This surge in demand has led to a gold rush in the market, with sales of Wembanyama cards reaching staggering heights.
Since the release of his initial card last spring, eBay has witnessed the sale of over 62,000 Wembanyama cards, resulting in a jaw-dropping $6.3 million in sales. What’s even more impressive is that eighteen of these cards have fetched prices above $10,000 each. In the past month alone, over 27,000 cards have been sold, amounting to over $2.6 million in sales.
Some notable sales include a Bowman Chrome University Red Refractor redemption card from the 2022-23 season, which sold for an astounding $20,000 in August. Another highlight was a PSA 10 Gold Refractor autograph card from 2022 Bowman U, limited to just 50 copies, which fetched $15,850 in a recent auction.
Wembanyama’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of meteoric. Starting his professional career in France at the age of 15, he has drawn comparisons to legends like LeBron James. His exceptional shot-blocking, agility, and surprising shooting range for his height have captivated fans and scouts alike. During his time with Metropolitans 92, he showcased his NBA-ready talents and was eventually drafted by the San Antonio Spurs after their lottery win.
What sets Wembanyama apart is his unique playing style, which combines old-school dominance with modern skills. His interior presence and ability to shoot three-pointers create a challenging matchup for opponents. His basketball IQ, game-reading ability, and decision-making under pressure further enhance his on-court prowess. In fact, he has already achieved the impressive feat of scoring 35+ points, grabbing 10+ rebounds, and blocking 2+ shots in a single game, putting him in the company of the likes of Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
While collectors eagerly await the release of Wembanyama’s rookie card featuring him in a Spurs jersey, his collegiate and other unlicensed cards remain in high demand. Some of his top cards include the 2022 Bowman University Inception, featuring his autographed redemption card, which is particularly prized. The 2022 Bowman University Chrome offers his first base card and chrome autograph, valued for its “1st Bowman” designation. The more accessible 2022 Bowman University Best provides collectors with his first live autograph and a base card to add to their collections.
Both Topps Now and Panini Instant have also featured Wembanyama in their limited-time offers. Topps Now cards capture memorable moments such as his draft day and a pitch at a Yankees game, while Panini Instant showcases him in his Spurs attire. Additionally, Allen & Ginter’s 2023 collection offers Wembanyama base cards, parallels, and autographs at affordable prices due to their high availability.
As Victor Wembanyama continues to make waves in the basketball world, his impact on the card market shows no signs of slowing down. Collectors are eagerly anticipating the release of his rookie card and are willing to invest significant amounts to add his cards to their prized collections. With the intense competition between card manufacturers to distribute Wembanyama’s highly coveted cards, the basketball card market has been electrified, ushering in a new era of excitement and enthusiasm.
