Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4-inch French prodigy, has sent shockwaves through the basketball card market. As his career progresses, collectors are eagerly anticipating the release of his cards, fueling a surge in draft products and on-demand printing. Adding to the frenzy is the fierce competition between two card manufacturing giants, both striving to distribute Wembanyama’s highly sought-after cards.
The entrance of this towering young talent has triggered a veritable gold rush among collectors, with enthusiasts scrambling to acquire any and all Wembanyama memorabilia. Since his first card release last spring, eBay has witnessed the sale of over 62,000 Wembanyama cards, resulting in an astounding $6.3 million in total sales. Interestingly, eighteen of these cards have fetched prices exceeding $10,000 each. In the past month alone, coinciding with his NBA debut, over 27,000 Wembanyama cards have been sold, totaling more than $2.6 million.
Among the notable sales is a Bowman Chrome University Red Refractor redemption card from the upcoming 2022-23 season. This particular card commanded an impressive $20,000 price tag in August. Another noteworthy sale involved a PSA 10 Gold Refractor autograph card from the 2022 Bowman U set, limited to just 50 copies, which sold for an impressive $15,850.
Wembanyama’s journey over the past two years has been nothing short of meteoric. Drawing comparisons to legends like LeBron James, Wembanyama began his professional career in France at the age of 15. His exceptional skills, including shot-blocking, agility, and surprising shooting range for his height, have captivated fans and scouts alike. His NBA-ready abilities were put on full display during his games against the G League’s Ignite team, where he scored a remarkable 73 points across two games. Following this, he was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs after their lottery win, further cementing his rising star status.
Wembanyama’s style of play is a blend of old-school and modern basketball. His dominance inside the paint combined with his three-point shooting ability creates challenging dynamics for opponents. His advanced basketball IQ, game-reading skills, and ability to make sound decisions under pressure only enhance his on-court presence. His record of scoring 35+ points, grabbing 10+ rebounds, and blocking 2+ shots in a single game places him in the company of elite players such as Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
While collectors eagerly await the release of a rookie card featuring Wembanyama in a Spurs jersey, his collegiate and other unlicensed cards continue to be in high demand.
Among his most sought-after cards is the 2022 Bowman University Inception. The autograph card, in particular, is highly prized as it is a redemption card. The 2022 Bowman University Chrome set offers Wembanyama’s first base card and chrome autograph. Despite a lackluster finish, these cards are highly valued for their “1st Bowman” designation. Additionally, the 2022 Bowman University Best set provides a more accessible base card as well as Wembanyama’s first live autograph.
Both Topps Now and Panini Instant have featured Wembanyama in 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 uniform. The Allen & Ginter’s 2023 collection also includes Wembanyama, offering base cards, parallels, and autographs at affordable prices due to their high availability.
It is clear that Victor Wembanyama has injected a surge of energy and excitement into the basketball card market. As his career progresses and his popularity grows, collectors will undoubtedly continue to be captivated by the allure of his highly coveted cards.
