Grading in the world of sports cards is a phenomenon that has seen a resurgence, reminiscent of the mass production days of the Junk Wax Era, and at the heart of this resurgence is the young basketball prodigy, Victor Wembanyama. According to PSA’s 2024 data, Wembanyama dominated the grading charts, with six of the top 10 most graded cards of the year bearing his name. However, his most notable achievement came in the form of one record-shattering card:
The 2023 Prizm Victor Wembanyama RC Base
POP COUNT: 24,400+ PSA 10s
Surpassing the 24,244 mark for PSA 10 graded copies, and continuously climbing, this card has officially earned the title of the highest PSA 10 population card of all time—a milestone previously believed unattainable in the modern hobby.
Wembanyama Ushers in a New Era of Grading
For those familiar with the hobby during the Luka Dončić era, the rapid ascent of Wembanyama’s Prizm rookie card may feel eerily familiar. When Luka’s 2018 Prizm rookie card exceeded 20,000 PSA 10 grades, it was seen as a groundbreaking moment. Fast forward a few years, and Wembanyama has shattered that threshold in less than a year.
The Wembanyama Prizm rookie now stands among an elite group of cards with over 20,000 PSA 10 grades, including the likes of Luka Dončić, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto. Even Fernando Tatís Jr.’s rookie card from 2019, just shy of 20,000 PSA 10s, is on the cusp of joining this exclusive club.
Monopoly Meets Prizm: The Numbers Get Bigger
Panini further fueled the frenzy around Wembanyama’s cards by partnering with Monopoly to create a special Prizm card set featuring another rookie card of the basketball sensation. This Monopoly edition has already amassed over 10,000 PSA 10 grades, solidifying his dominance in the rookie card landscape.
When combining the base 2023 Prizm rookie card with its Monopoly counterpart, the numbers are truly staggering:
– Base Prizm Rookie: 40,788 total graded, with over 24,000 PSA 10s.
– Monopoly Rookie: 17,000 total graded, with more than 10,000 PSA 10s.
While these figures are impressive, they fall short of the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card supremacy of the late ’80s. Griffey’s iconic 1989 Upper Deck rookie card holds the all-time record with over 116,000 graded copies, followed by his 1989 Topps Traded card with 88,000+ graded and his 1989 Fleer rookie with 66,000+ graded.
Echoes of the Junk Wax Era
For seasoned collectors, the numbers associated with Wembanyama’s cards may evoke memories of the overproduction era of Junk Wax. This period was characterized by a flood of mass-produced cards, leading to decreased scarcity but a surge in availability. While Wembanyama’s cards may not be scarce, the emphasis on high grades, particularly PSA 10s, mirrors the grading boom of the ’90s.
Nevertheless, there is a contemporary twist to this narrative. With Panini’s production capabilities and collectors’ increasing reliance on grading services, the market is experiencing submission volumes and gem rates that were unattainable in the 1990s.
Will Wembanyama Break Griffey’s Records?
With over 40,000 graded cards in just a year, Wembanyama is on track to rival Griffey’s all-time figures—if Panini’s production volume continues to support this trend. For now, the 2023 Prizm rookie card has cemented its position as a hobby icon, achieving in months what other cards took years to accomplish.
What This Means for the Hobby
Wembanyama’s meteoric rise in the grading realm signifies both excitement and caution for collectors. On one hand, his cards mirror the increasing popularity of basketball and the global appeal of emerging stars. On the other hand, the sheer volume of graded cards raises concerns about long-term value, especially as we enter what some refer to as the modern Junk Wax Era.
For collectors, the lesson is clear: while Wembanyama’s cards are undoubtedly historic, the importance of rarity and condition will remain the ultimate determinants of long-term worth. Currently, the hobby is reveling in the success of a rookie sensation who has already etched an unforgettable legacy in grading history.
