In the realm of sports card collecting, a new star has emerged to captivate enthusiasts and collectors alike. Victor Wembanyama, a basketball prodigy, has not only taken the court by storm but has also made waves in the world of card grading. The surge in popularity of grading, reminiscent of the mass production days of the Junk Wax Era, has found a focal point in Wembanyama’s rookie card, particularly his 2023 Prizm Victor Wembanyama RC Base.
The sheer volume of Wembanyama’s cards that have achieved a PSA 10 grade is staggering, with over 24,000 copies already graded as such, and the number continues to climb. This feat has solidified his card as the highest PSA 10 population card of all time, a remarkable achievement in today’s hobby landscape.
Drawing parallels to past collecting frenzies, those who witnessed the Luka Dončić phenomenon will find Wembanyama’s rapid rise in grading familiarity. Where Luka’s rookie card once held the record with over 20,000 PSA 10s, Wembanyama has surpassed that milestone in less than a year, setting a new bar for modern card grading.
Joining the elite ranks of cards with 20,000+ PSA 10 populations, Wembanyama’s Prizm rookie card stands alongside notable names like Luka Dončić, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto. Even Fernando Tatís Jr.’s card is on the brink of joining this exclusive club, highlighting the exceptional rarity of such high-grade cards.
Panini’s collaboration with Monopoly has only fueled the frenzy surrounding Wembanyama’s cards, introducing a special Prizm set featuring the basketball sensation. The Monopoly version has already amassed over 10,000 PSA 10s, further cementing Wembanyama’s dominance in the rookie card market.
The combined numbers of Wembanyama’s base Prizm rookie card and its Monopoly counterpart are nothing short of impressive, with over 40,000 total graded cards and a remarkable gem rate resulting in tens of thousands of PSA 10s. While these figures evoke nostalgia for the mass production era of the ’80s and ’90s, particularly the dominance of Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie cards, they also signify a new chapter in modern card collecting.
Despite the echoes of the Junk Wax Era, where overproduction led to diluted value, Wembanyama’s cards represent a unique convergence of high volume and quality. The emphasis on achieving top grades, specifically PSA 10s, underscores the evolving landscape of card collecting, driven by heightened production capabilities and collectors’ growing reliance on grading services.
With the trajectory Wembanyama’s cards are on, there is speculation about whether he could potentially challenge Griffey’s all-time record numbers if Panini maintains its production volume. The hobby is at a crossroads, balancing the thrill of collecting historic cards with the need to preserve their long-term value amidst a resurgence of high-volume grading.
Victor Wembanyama’s ascent in the grading world serves as a beacon of both excitement and caution for collectors. While his cards signify the allure of basketball stardom and global appeal, they also prompt reflection on the importance of rarity and condition in determining lasting value. As the hobby navigates what some dub the modern Junk Wax Era, Wembanyama stands as a symbol of a new era in card collecting, leaving an indelible mark on grading history.
