Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama took the spotlight at the recent Goldin Auctions April Elite sale, with their memorabilia fetching record prices and sparking intense bidding wars among collectors and fans alike. The buzz surrounding the auction was heightened by Anthony Edwards’ stellar performance leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to victory in a playoff game, cementing his status as a rising star in the NBA.
An exceptional piece of basketball history was the early NBA jersey worn by Anthony Edwards during his fourth career game, which made waves by selling for a staggering $118,978. This jaw-dropping sale not only set a record for any publicly sold Edwards jersey but also solidified the memorabilia’s value with its unique MeiGray/NBA authentication and photomatching. The jersey’s significance was further underscored by the fact that it was worn during a game where Edwards achieved a milestone by recording his first career block and adding 12 points to his name. Edwards’ trajectory to stardom was evident during the 2024 playoffs when he joined the elite ranks of players like Kobe Bryant by becoming one of the youngest to score over 40 points in consecutive postseason games.
Another standout piece from the auction was an Edwards 2020-21 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph card, graded an impressive BGS GEM MINT 9.5 with a flawless Beckett 10 for autographs, which fetched a remarkable $85,550, showcasing the high demand for quality rookie cards from budding NBA stars like Edwards.
On the other hand, Victor Wembanyama’s memorabilia also garnered significant attention, particularly his rookie cards. A 2023-24 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer First Off The Line rookie card, numbered 1 of 5 and graded PSA 10, commanded an impressive $113,460 at the auction, highlighting the fervor around securing rare and high-graded cards. Another sought-after item was a Gold Shimmer rookie card numbered 7/10, which drew a notable final bid of $49,410, underscoring Wembanyama’s growing presence in the basketball collectibles market.
The auction also paid tribute to timeless sporting icons with items like a 1996-97 Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card that achieved a remarkable $92,720, and a 2018 Panini Prizm World Cup Gold Power Prizm Kylian Mbappe rookie card, graded BGS MINT 9, which went for $92,190, showcasing the enduring appeal of legendary sports figures across various disciplines.
In a nod to classic basketball history, former Duke star Cherokee Parks’ NCAA Championship ring and other memorabilia also made their mark at the auction, with his 1994 Championship ring fetching $44,320, reflecting the enduring allure of collegiate sports achievements in the collectibles market.
Photographs capturing pivotal early moments in the illustrious careers of basketball legends Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were also featured in the auction, fetching $15,982 and $14,640 respectively, serving as nostalgic reminders of the impact these players had on the sport.
The auction showcased a diverse range of sports memorabilia, including a jersey from Fernando Tatis’s early MLB career days, which captured his first career road game and sold for $10,098, demonstrating the widespread interest in sports collectibles that transcends generations and sports leagues.
