A one-of-one Victor Wembanyama Panini Prizm Black rookie card sold for $5.11 million in a private deal brokered by Fanatics Collect. The sale set a record price for a non-autographed NBA card and ranked among the highest prices for any NBA card. The card was graded Gem Mint 10 by Professional Sports Authenticator, a grade described as virtually perfect. The buyer said Wembanyama’s ceiling is substantially higher than other players’ ceilings, reflecting expectations of exceptional superstar potential. The previous Wembanyama record was $860,100 for a rookie Panini Prism Nebula Choice one-of-one card with a PSA 9 grade. The new purchase involved grading controversy tied to a card pulled from a pack at NorCal Sports Cards.
"A sports card from the 7-foot-4 French star's rookie season has also made headlines. Wembanyama's 2023-24 Panini Prizm one-of-one Black parallel card recently sold for $5.11 million in a private deal brokered by Fanatics Collect. It's the highest known price paid for a non-autographed NBA card and the fourth-highest for any NBA card, according to price guide website Card Ladder."
"The buyer told the Athletic that he believes it will remain the best card for a player whose superstar potential is practically unlimited. "There's a sort of obvious ceiling for him, just as an athlete, that I think is higher than most people that are like the ordained superstars, like the next guy that we anticipate them being pantheon people," said the buyer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "... If you take all these players and you say, 'What's their ceiling?' I think Victor Wembanyama's [ceiling] is substantially higher.""
"Professional Sports Authenticator graded the card a Gem Mint 10, which the PSA site says is reserved for "virtually perfect" cards. The previous record amount spent on a Wembanyama card was $860,100 paid for his rookie Panini Prism Nebula Choice one-of-one card in early 2025, according to Fanatics Collect. That card had a PSA 9 grade."
Read at Los Angeles Times
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