Grading in the trading card world has reached new heights with the emergence of basketball prodigy Victor Wembanyama. The 2024 data from PSA paints a clear picture of his dominance in the grading charts, with six of his cards ranking among the top 10 most graded cards of the year. However, one card stands out among the rest, setting a new record in the modern hobby.
The 2023 Prizm Victor Wembanyama RC Base card has taken the collecting world by storm, with a staggering 24,400+ PSA 10s and counting. This card has officially surpassed all others to become the highest PSA 10 population card in history, a feat previously deemed unattainable in today’s hobby.
Wembanyama’s rise marks a new era in grading reminiscent of the Luka Dončić craze. Just as Luka’s 2018 Prizm rookie card exceeded 20,000 PSA 10s, Wembanyama’s rookie card has shattered that milestone in under a year. The elite group of cards with over 20,000 PSA 10 populations now includes the likes of Luka Dončić, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto, with Fernando Tatís Jr. on the cusp of joining.
Panini’s collaboration with Monopoly further fueled the Wembanyama grading frenzy by releasing a special Prizm card set featuring the basketball phenom. The Monopoly version has already garnered over 10,000 PSA 10s, solidifying Wembanyama’s rookie year dominance.
When combining the base Prizm rookie card with its Monopoly counterpart, the numbers are astounding, with over 40,000 total graded and a gem rate resulting in more than 24,000 PSA 10s for the Base Prizm Rookie, and over 17,000 graded and 10,000 PSA 10s for the Monopoly Rookie. These numbers, while impressive, fall short of Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie card dominance in the late ’80s.
The influx of graded Wembanyama cards draws parallels to the Junk Wax Era, where mass production flooded the market and drove down scarcity. Although Wembanyama’s cards may lack rarity, the pursuit of high grades, particularly PSA 10s, reflects the grading explosion of the ’90s with a modern twist.
As Wembanyama’s cards continue to flood the market, the question arises: can he challenge Ken Griffey Jr.’s all-time records? With over 40,000 graded cards in just one year, Wembanyama seems poised to rival Griffey if Panini’s production volume supports it. For now, his rookie card has etched its place in hobby folklore, achieving in months what others took years to accomplish.
Wembanyama’s rapid ascent in the grading world signals a mix of excitement and caution for collectors. While his cards showcase the growing allure of basketball and the global appeal of rising stars, the sheer volume of graded cards raises concerns about long-term value, hinting at a potential modern Junk Wax Era.
Collectors are reminded that despite Wembanyama’s historic feats, the key factors of rarity and condition will ultimately determine long-term value. For now, the hobby revels in the glow of a rookie sensation who has left an undeniable mark on grading history.
