Caitlin Clark, the 2023 Naismith Women’s Player of the Year and a pivotal player for the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team, is not only mesmerizing fans with her exceptional skills on the court but is also making waves in the world of sports memorabilia. With an impressive scoring average of 31.7 points per game and a record-breaking 40-point game count, Clark has become a national sensation and is poised to be the top pick in the upcoming WNBA draft. Her impact on the sport has earned her the nickname “Sister Splash.”
While Clark’s on-court success has been remarkable, her trading cards have been garnering significant attention as well. Recently, her 2022 Bowman University Superfractor 1/1 Rookie Auto card, graded PSA 10, grabbed headlines at the PWCC Marketplace’s January Premier Auction. Initially starting with a bidding price of $21,600, the card’s value soared to an astonishing $38,000 on the final day of the auction. This remarkable figure triples the previous record for a women’s basketball card, elevating Clark’s status in the trading card market.
Prior to Clark’s record-breaking card, the highest-selling women’s basketball card was a 2004 Ultra Platinum Medallion Diana Taurasi card, which sold for $11,500. Clark’s achievement not only surpassed this record but also outperformed the sale of Sabrina Ionescu’s 2020 Panini Prizm WNBA Black Gold rookie card, as well as the two highest private sales of WNBA cards. It is a significant moment for women’s sports collectibles, as Clark’s trading cards command unprecedented value and attention.
One of the factors contributing to the soaring value of Clark’s trading cards is her ongoing success on the court. As she leads the No. 5 ranked Hawkeyes, their journey in the NCAA championship this year is expected to attract even greater attention. Clark’s exclusive trading card and collectibles contract with Fanatics and Topps also adds to the allure of her memorabilia, making them highly sought after by collectors.
The comparison between Clark and NBA superstar Steph Curry further boosts her market appeal. Known for her long-range shooting skills and ability to drain buckets from beyond the arc, Clark has been dubbed as the “Sister Splash.” This parallel to Curry, who revolutionized the game with his shooting prowess, only adds to the excitement surrounding her trading cards.
As Clark’s basketball career continues to flourish, her trading cards are likely to become even more valuable in the future. With her exclusive contracts and a growing fan base, she is poised to have a significant impact on the women’s sports collectibles market. Whether it’s her scoring records, her remarkable on-court performances, or her growing reputation as a generational talent, Caitlin Clark is reshaping the landscape of basketball and the trading card market in equal measure.
