Grading cards have made a triumphant return to the forefront of the collectibles market, reminiscent of the mass production days of the Junk Wax Era. At the heart of this resurgence stands Victor Wembanyama, a basketball prodigy whose rookie card has taken the grading world by storm. PSA’s data from 2024 unveiled Wembanyama’s unparalleled success in the grading realm, with six of his cards ranking among the top 10 most graded cards of the year. However, it is one specific card that has truly stolen the spotlight.
Displaying an impressive feat, the 2023 Prizm Victor Wembanyama RC Base card has witnessed a staggering surge in its PSA 10 population count, currently standing at over 24,400 and continuing to climb. This card has achieved the remarkable title of being the highest PSA 10 population card of all time, a milestone previously deemed unattainable in the modern collecting hobby.
Wembanyama’s ascent into the echelons of grading brings forth comparisons to the excitement witnessed during the Luka Dončić card craze. The rapid proliferation of Wembanyama’s Prizm rookie card mirrors the fervor seen when Luka’s 2018 Prizm rookie card exceeded 20,000 PSA 10 grades, considered a groundbreaking moment at the time. In a swift turn of events, Wembanyama has shattered this record within a year, setting a new benchmark in the hobby.
The Wembanyama Prizm rookie card now shares the prestigious company of cards with 20,000+ PSA 10 populations, including notable names like Luka Dončić, Zion Williamson, and Ja Morant. Even Fernando Tatís Jr.’s 2019 Topps rookie card is on the cusp of joining this exclusive club, boasting an impressive PSA 10 near 20,000.
The collaboration between Panini and Monopoly added fuel to the fiery demand for Wembanyama’s cards, particularly with a special Monopoly-edition Prizm card featuring the basketball sensation. This unique edition has amassed over 10,000 PSA 10 grades, further solidifying Wembanyama’s dominance in his rookie year.
When amalgamating the base 2023 Prizm rookie card with its Monopoly variant, the numbers become staggering, with over 40,000 total graded cards, out of which more than 24,000 are PSA 10s for the base card and over 10,000 for the Monopoly version. Although impressive, these figures fall short of the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card era dominance from the late ’80s, with Griffey’s iconic cards holding all-time records in total graded counts.
The resurgence of mass grading in the hobby evokes memories of the Junk Wax Era for veteran collectors, characterized by oversaturated markets and widespread availability of cards. While Wembanyama’s cards may not exude rarity, the emphasis on high grades, notably PSA 10s, draws parallels to the grading craze of the ’90s, albeit with a contemporary twist fueled by Panini’s production capabilities and collectors’ reliance on grading services.
Surpassing 40,000 graded cards within a year, Wembanyama is on track to rival Griffey’s historical figures, should Panini’s production scales accommodate it. Presently, his 2023 Prizm rookie card has cemented its status as a hobby legend, achieving milestones in a fraction of the time it took other cards to accomplish.
Wembanyama’s meteoric grading success symbolizes a mix of thrill and wariness for collectors, underlining the escalating appeal of basketball and emerging talents in the global market. While his cards epitomize historic significance, the eternal factors of rarity and condition will continue to dictate long-term value. For now, the collecting community revels in the glory of a rookie sensation who has etched an unforgettable mark in grading annals.
