The sports world was stunned by the San Antonio Spurs' announcement that Victor Wembanyama, the towering 7'4" sensation who's been dazzling fans since his NBA debut, would be out for the rest of the 2024-2025 season. This shocking news has sent shockwaves through the collectibles market, with many collectors and investors pondering the implications for Wemby's card values.
Wembanyama's card market has been a bit of an enigma from the start. While the hype surrounding him has been massive, his rookie cards haven't quite reached the astronomical heights some experts predicted. Instead of skyrocketing, the market has seen a more gradual ascent.
For example, his 2023-24 Hoops rookie card initially hit the market with a price tag ranging from $15 to $40. However, it's since found a new home in the $8 to $20 bracket. Similarly, the Donruss rookie card followed suit, starting in the $15-$40 range before settling into a $12-$30 groove. These fluctuations have left some collectors scratching their heads, wondering if the card values truly reflect Wembanyama's on-court potential.
Even the much-anticipated Panini Prizm, released just last month, is hovering in the $50 to $120 neighborhood.
Now, with Wemby on the bench, we're entering uncharted territory. Historically, injuries can be a double-edged sword for card values. On one hand, scarcity can drive up prices as production potentially slows. On the flip side, out of sight often means out of mind for collectors, potentially cooling the market.
But here's where it gets interesting. Wembanyama isn't your average rookie. The hype train left the station long before he even set foot on an NBA court. eBay reported that during his draft month in June 2023, Wemby collectible sales outpaced Zion Williamson's draft month by a whopping 130%. And in his first full NBA month, November 2023, card sales skyrocketed by over 460% compared to October.
This sustained interest, even through a rocky rookie season for the Spurs, suggests that Wembanyama's long-term potential still has collectors intrigued. A Bowman Superfractor card, autographed with "1st ever," sold for a cool $67,333 in a Goldin auction last August, months before his NBA debut. That's the kind of faith the market has in Wemby's future.
The injury might actually create some unique opportunities for savvy collectors. With the spotlight dimmed temporarily, there could be a window to snag some deals before his eventual return. Those $1,000+ raw Bowman cards featuring Wemby in his French league uniform might see a dip, presenting a chance for long-term investors to pounce.
However, the real wild card in all of this is the ongoing Panini-Fanatics transition. Wembanyama's exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics, set to take over the NBA license in the 2025-2026 season, has created a peculiar situation. The lack of Wemby signatures on current Panini products has left a void in the high-end market that collectors are itching to fill.
Ken Goldin, the "King of Collectibles," predicts that Wembanyama's third-year card – his first under the Fanatics NBA license – could be a game-changer. "It will sell significantly better than any other third-year card in history," Goldin stated, though he cautioned it won't carry the same "rookie hype."
So, what's the play for collectors during this injury timeout? It might be wise to keep a close eye on the market fluctuations. Any significant dips could be golden opportunities to invest in a player whose potential still seems limitless. The key is patience – Wembanyama's story is far from over, and his return to the court could spark renewed interest and potentially higher card values.
In the end, Wemby's injury is just another twist in what's already been an unprecedented rookie card journey. Like his on-court play, his card market defies conventional wisdom. For collectors, it's a reminder that in the world of sports memorabilia, sometimes the most valuable asset is a willingness to play the long game.eli
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