Ed. note: The recommendations below were originally published on Feb. 16, 2025. Since then, the value of many Victor Wembanyama cards has climbed significantly as he has solidified his place as one of the most exciting talents in the NBA. To illustrate that rise, each entry here has been updated with the most recent sales prices.Top pick (full recommendations below)2023 Panini Donruss Optic #225 Holo rookie card(Photo courtesy of eBay)Wembanyama’s 2023-24 Donruss Optic #225 Holo parallel rookie card is my best value recommendation based on scarcity in gem mint grades and price , which is currently about $300 in a PSA 10 grade (May 2026 update: It’s now about $1,100 for a PSA 10). Optic’s connection to the historic Donruss brand and its iconic “Rated Rookie” logo that adorns the cards of first-year players makes it especially appealing to collectors. Holo parallel cards radiate a rainbow-like sparkle and are one of the most desired variations for basketball rookies because of their more limited supply compared to base cards.
Things to know before buyingThe value of sports cards can fluctuate for various reasons such as condition, print runs, or graded population. Other factors that can cause prices to go up or down include player performance, market trends, and health of the wider economy. The secondary sales market for individual cards of a given sport generally hits its lowest point during the offseason (in other words, you can usually find better prices in the offseason than during the season). My recommendations are not an attempt to promote specific investment behavior or trading advice, but to guide and inform readers about popular and unique cards that are celebrated by the sports card community. While the demand for Wembanyama cards is currently very high — he was among the 10 most searched athletes on eBay every month in 2024 (May 2026 update: he has also been one of the five most searched NBA players during the current playoffs) — so is the supply. Even though he is just in his second year in the NBA, Wembanyama already has the sixth highest total population of graded cards all-time among athletes across all sports, with more than Derek Jeter or Tom Brady, according to Gemrate, which tracks graded card populations.Ultimately, the best cards to collect are always the ones you will personally enjoy most, regardless of whether they go up or down in value. The recommendations below should serve as a starting point for cards to consider, but a big part of the fun in collecting is the hunt for the cards you like. “Raw” cards vs. Graded cardsCards can come out of the pack (their “raw” state) with a wide variety of imperfections that can impact their value. Card grading is a process in which an expert of the field determines the condition of a card based on a number of factors (including corner sharpness, image centering, print imperfections, and more) and assigns a numerical grade, usually on a scale of 1-10 (with the latter being close to perfect) and sealed in a protective case. There are a number of grading companies, each with their own unique grading scales, but PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is by far the largest and most prominent in the industry. Cards graded a “PSA 10” can carry a significant value multiplier compared to raw cards or those graded by other companies. It’s fine (and often cheaper) to buy cards raw, but if you want to ensure authenticity and/or a minimum condition level, and you’re not experienced at determining card condition for yourself, you may want to buy a graded card instead — particularly if you’re buying online and only able to see the card in photographs. Best low-end (~$1-$99) Victor Wembanyama cards (May 2026 update: $100+)This is a category for collectors who are on a tighter budget or aren’t as concerned about the long-term monetary value of the cards they buy. 2023 Panini Hoops #277 rookie card(Photo courtesy of eBay)The 7-foot-3 sensation’s 2023 Panini Hoops #277 card is a budget-friendly base rookie that’s modestly priced in PSA 10 graded copies. As I write this, raw examples are selling on eBay for as low as $5, and PSA 10s are fetching between $25 and $45 (May 2026 update: PSA 10s are now selling for $100-plus).Hoops is one of Panini’s low-end basketball releases printed on traditional paper card stock. (In many cases, the value, condition sensitivity, and desirability of a card can depend on the quality and thickness of the card stock.) Hoops cards were introduced to collectors in 1989 when the inaugural set included a rookie card of another Spurs center with huge expectations coming into the league, David “The Admiral” Robinson.If you’re looking to add an inexpensive Wembanyama base rookie card to your collection, this is a great first choice and a practical alternative to his Donruss rookie.More expensive variations and parallels: Blue, Hyper Blue, Impulse, Neon Green, Purple, Purple Winter, Red Backs, Teal Explosion, Winter, Yellow, Premium Box Set (/199), Silver (/199), Green (/99), Hyper Red (/99), Gravity (/75), Red (/75), Blue Explosion (/59), Artist Proof (/25), Hyper Green (/25), Orange Explosion (/25), Red Explosion (/15), Artist Proof Gold (/10), Hyper Gold (/10), Artist Proof Black (1/1)
