Victor Wembanyama, the towering 7-foot-4-inch French basketball prodigy, has taken the basketball card market by storm. His arrival has electrified collectors, who are now racing to acquire any piece of Wemby memorabilia. With a surge in draft products and on-demand printing, the competition between card manufacturing giants adds fuel to the fire.
Since the release of Wembanyama’s initial cards last spring, eBay has witnessed the sale of over 62,000 of his 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, totaling over $2.6 million.
Among the notable sales is 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 is a PSA 10 Gold Refractor autograph card from the 2022 Bowman U, limited to 50 copies, that sold for $15,850.
Wembanyama’s journey over the past two years has been nothing short of meteoric. Starting his professional career in France at the age of 15, he has been compared to basketball greats like LeBron James. Standing at an impressive 7-foot-4, Wembanyama possesses exceptional skills, including shot-blocking, agility, and surprising shooting range for his height. His NBA-ready talents were clearly on display when he scored 73 points across two games against the G League’s Ignite team. As a result, he was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs after their lottery win.
Wembanyama’s playing style is a perfect blend of old-school and modern basketball. His dominance in the interior combined with his ability to shoot three-pointers creates challenging dynamics for opponents. His advanced basketball intellect, game-reading skills, and decision-making under pressure further enhance his on-court presence. His impressive record of scoring 35+ points, grabbing 10+ rebounds, and blocking 2+ shots in a game places him among elite company, including players like Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
While collectors eagerly await the release of a rookie card featuring Wemby in a Spurs jersey, his collegiate and other unlicensed cards remain in high demand.
Among his top cards, the 2022 Bowman University Inception stands out, with his autograph, a redemption card, being highly prized by collectors. The 2022 Bowman University Chrome offers his first base card and chrome autograph, which are valued for their “1st Bowman” tag despite a lackluster finish. For collectors looking for a more accessible option, the 2022 Bowman University Best provides a 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 such as his draft day and his pitch at a Yankees game, while Panini Instant showcases him in his Spurs attire. Additionally, Allen & Ginter’s 2023 collection includes Wembanyama with base cards, parallels, and autographs, maintaining affordability due to their high availability.
In conclusion, Victor Wembanyama’s arrival has brought a new level of excitement and energy to the basketball card market. Collectors are eagerly awaiting the release of his highly sought-after cards, driving sales to unprecedented levels. With his exceptional skills and rapid rise to stardom, Wemby’s cards are quickly becoming invaluable in the eyes of passionate collectors.
