Grading in the world of trading cards has surged back into the limelight, reminiscent of the mass production days of the Junk Wax Era. Victor Wembanyama, the basketball prodigy, has taken center stage in this resurgence. According to PSA’s 2024 data, Wembanyama dominated the grading charts, with six of the top 10 most graded cards of the year attributed to him. However, his claim to fame lies in one particular record-shattering card: the 2023 Prizm Victor Wembanyama RC Base.
Surpassing all expectations, this card boasts a staggering PSA 10 population count of over 24,400 and is continuing to climb. With each passing day, the number of PSA 10s for this card reaches new heights, making it the highest PSA 10 population card in history—a feat previously thought unattainable in the modern collecting landscape.
Wembanyama’s ascent to grading stardom heralds a new era in the hobby. For those who experienced the frenzy surrounding Luka Dončić, the rapid rise of Wembanyama’s Prizm rookie card may feel eerily familiar. Luka’s 2018 Prizm rookie card breaking 20,000 PSA 10s was a monumental milestone at the time. Yet, Wembanyama has shattered that barrier in less than a year.
The Wembanyama Prizm rookie card now joins an elite group of cards with over 20,000 PSA 10 populations, including those of iconic athletes like Luka Dončić, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto. Even Fernando Tatís Jr.’s rookie card is on the cusp of entering this exclusive club with just shy of 20,000 PSA 10s.
The collaboration of Panini and Monopoly added fuel to the Wembanyama grading frenzy by introducing a special Prizm card set featuring another rookie card of the basketball phenom. This Monopoly version has already garnered over 10,000 PSA 10s, solidifying Wembanyama’s dominance in his rookie year.
When combined, the numbers associated with Wembanyama’s base and Monopoly rookie cards are truly staggering. The base 2023 Prizm rookie card has seen a total of 40,788 graded copies, with a 60% gem rate resulting in over 24,000 PSA 10s. On the other hand, the Monopoly rookie card has amassed 17,000 graded copies, boasting a 61% gem rate and over 10,000 PSA 10s.
While these figures are awe-inspiring, they fall short of the record-breaking dominance seen in the late ’80s by Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie cards. Griffey’s 1989 Upper Deck rookie card holds the all-time record with 116,000 graded copies, followed by his 1989 Topps Traded card with 88,000+ graded and his 1989 Fleer rookie card with 66,000+ graded.
Longtime collectors may find echoes of the Junk Wax Era in Wembanyama’s numbers. Despite not being inherently rare, the push for high grades, particularly PSA 10s, mirrors the grading explosion of the ’90s. However, with Panini’s production capabilities and collectors’ increasing reliance on grading companies, the market is witnessing submission volumes and gem rates previously unattainable.
With over 40,000 graded cards in just one year, Wembanyama is on track to challenge Griffey’s all-time numbers, pending Panini’s production volume. The 2023 Prizm rookie card has already cemented its place as a hobby legend, achieving feats in months that other cards took years to accomplish.
Wembanyama’s meteoric rise in the grading world signifies both excitement and caution for collectors. While reflecting the growing popularity of basketball and the global appeal of rising stars, the sheer volume of graded cards raises questions about long-term value, sparking discussions about the modern collecting era and its parallels to the Junk Wax Era.
In the world of collecting, Wembanyama’s cards serve as a reminder of the importance of rarity and condition in determining long-term value. The hobby currently revels in the achievement of a rookie phenom who has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on grading history.
