If you’re a fan of NBA trading cards, this lineup is bound to excite you. Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), a top authority in the realm of sports card grading, has unveiled a list of the ten most coveted cards from current basketball stars, comprising nine NBA legends and one standout from the WNBA. Since the dawn of the 2024-25 NBA season, collectors have submitted nearly 269,000 cards featuring these athletes for PSA grading.
On a financial note, PSA is owned by big names like Steve Cohen, who owns the Mets, venture capitalist Nat Turner, and hedge fund mogul Dan Sundheim. They charge between $16.99 and a staggering $9,999 to grade a card, depending on its declared value for insurance—this demonstrates how the desirability of these players is translating to significant financial investments in the collectibles market.
The appeal and value of these cards don’t always align with the players’ current performances on the court—several from this list didn’t even participate in the recent NBA All-Star weekend in San Francisco. The worth of a card often hinges on its rarity, the athlete’s success, and how much value collectors anticipate the card will hold when the athlete hangs up their sneakers. Plus, the pristine condition of a card, rated as a PSA 10, can dramatically boost its value.
Now, let’s dive into the top 10 players collecting enthusiasts are buzzing about:
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Victor Wembanyama (113,800 card-grading requests): The French sensation, picked first by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 draft, and last season’s Rookie of the Year, saw his unique Panini Prizm card fetch a cool $516,000 at auction.
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Caitlin Clark (47,100 requests): After shattering collegiate scoring records, Clark was chosen with the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft. Her card grading requests surpass all NBA players except Wembanyama.
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LeBron James (24,900 requests): The iconic player once had a card sell for an impressive $5.2 million. Despite that, it doesn’t crack the top 10 most expensive sports collectibles. With earnings over $1.5 billion during his NBA career, James is a longtime collector favorite.
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Anthony Edwards (20,200 requests): This young star has made waves as the youngest player in NBA history to sink 1,000 3-pointers, all before his 24th birthday, playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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Brandon Miller (16,900 requests): Although sidelined for the season due to a wrist injury, Miller, a Charlotte Hornets forward and former Alabama standout, continues to capture collector interest having averaged 21 points across 27 games.
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Stephen Curry (13,800 requests): Curry, the all-time leader in 3-pointers and two-time MVP, rose from being a modest high-school prospect to a basketball icon. His planned tour of China for Under Armour was canceled due to government fears about massive gatherings.
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Luka Dončić (11,100 requests): The buzz around Dončić cards likely spiked following what’s being called the most shocking trade in modern NBA history. Ex-Mavericks owner Mark Cuban reportedly tried halting the trade, but learned it was already finalized.
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Scoot Henderson (7,700 requests): Even after missing the All-Star weekend due to an injury, this 21-year-old has stolen the spotlight, being one of the rare NBA players to debut with his signature shoe for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023.
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Paolo Banchero (6,500 requests): A rising star with the Orlando Magic, Banchero smashed a personal record by scoring 50 points in October, making him just the fourth Magic player to achieve such a feat. He took home the Rookie of the Year honor in 2023.
- Amen Thompson (6,500 requests): Regarded as a huge oversight in NBA All-Star selections, the 22-year-old Rockets forward is poised to become a regular star based on advanced player statistics.
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