Wemba–mania is upon the NBA, as well as the basketball card market.
Victor Wembanyama is one of the most hyped NBA prospects since LeBron James, with many even calling him the best prospect since the Los Angeles Lakers superstar.
With the interest in the Frenchman at an all-time high, the sports card market is also seeing a major increase in people searching for Victor Wembanyama rookie cards even before he officially makes it to the NBA.
Wemby’s upcoming arrival is expected to give a major boost to the hobby, similar to Zion Williamson’s impact when he was drafted into the NBA in 2019 – or even better.
Having said all that, read on to know more about the new basketball prodigy and why a Victor Wembanyama rookie card is the next must-have in your sports card collection.
Who Is Victor Wembanyama?
Victor Wembanyama is a 19-year-old rising basketball star who hails from France. He has been making headlines over the past year or so, with NBA scouts and talent evaluators raving about his skillset.
He is the consensus no. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and for good reason. With his combination of size, skill, motor and mobility, he is unlike any player that basketball fans have ever seen before.
There’s a reason why even James described him as an “alien” rather than a unicorn. His offensive potential is unmatched, and he already has the defensive instincts to develop into one of the best defensive players on the planet.
Wembanyama has been playing professionally since 2019, with his latest teaming being the Metropolitans 92 of the French Pro League. With him on board, the Mets were able to make it to the Final of France’s top-tier competition.
Why is Victor Wembanyama’s Rookie Card a Must-Have for Sports Card Collectors?
As mentioned, in terms of sports card collecting, Victor Wembanyama’s impact on the industry could be like Zion Williamson’s.
In fact an argument could be made that Wemby could have a bigger influence in the card market on a global scale.
With that said, it might not be too bad to join the hype and collect Victor Wembanyama rookie cards as he makes his way to the NBA.
It’s understandable why some may have their doubts about Wemby. First and foremost, there are a lot of people concerned about his longevity and if he will thrive in the NBA given his body type and size. Players as tall as him often suffer from various lower-leg injuries later in their careers, so the pessimism isn’t unfounded.
Not to mention that big men (forwards and centers) don’t often get a lot of love in the hobby. Just look at the rookie cards of the likes of Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal and how much they are selling for.
Despite all those concerns, though, Wembanyama could be the guy who changes all that. He already has the coverage needed to bring more attention to the hobby, and he has the skills to back up all the hype surrounding him.
The current Victor Wembanyama rookie cards in the market are already fetching insane prices, so imagine how much more their values could increase when he’s officially in the NBA.
Although card values are always subject to fluctuation, holding on Wemby’s sports cards could be worthwhile, especially if he pans out as many experts project him to be.
Is Victor Wembanyama Going to the NBA?
Victor Wembanyama is projected to be the no. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The San Antonio Spurs are expected to take him after the franchise won the NBA Draft Lottery last May.
Before he officially joins the Spurs, however, Wembanyama is expected to play for the France national team in the upcoming FIBA World Cup scheduled this August to September. After which, fans could see him in a Spurs uniform in the NBA Summer League.
What Is Victor Wembanyama Height?
There are conflicting reports about Victor Wembanyama’s height. In Basketball Reference, he’s listed at 7-foot-2. However, that might not be the case anymore.
According to an ESPN report last February, Wembanyama is 7’4”. With shoes on, he’s at 7-foot-5.
It remains to be seen if he’ll grow taller, though that is a big possibility. And that could be a scary sight for the NBA.
What Is Victor Wembanyama Wingspan?
Wembanyama is a nightmare matchup for anyone. He’s already an intimidating presence in the middle with his height, and it’s absolutely difficult to get over him with his wingspan.
Victor Wembanyama’s wingspan is reportedly at 8 feet, per USA Today. While that’s not the NBA record–thanks to Tacko Fall’s 8-foot-25-inch tally–it’s still problematic when you consider how mobile Wemby is.
Victor Wembanyama Stats in Collegiate Basketball
Victor Wembanyama didn’t play college basketball. As stated earlier, he has been playing professionally since 2019 when he was just 15 years old.
In 2022-23 with the Mets 92, however, Victor Wembanyama’s stats are noteworthy. In 34 games for the team, he put up 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.0 blocks.
Which Basketball Card Set Features Victor Wembanyama?
Wembanyama has yet to make the NBA, so he still has no basketball cards in an official league jersey. However, there are already a number of products out there where collectors can get Victor Wembanyama rookie cards.
Most recently, Topps has released its Bowman University Inception and Bowman Chrome University. Both products feature standout collegiate players and basketball prospects, including Wembanyama.
Bowman University Inception features several players from multiple sports, though it’s the first release to have Wemby autographs.
The Bowman Chrome University, meanwhile, has a basketball-only line. The famous card where Wembanyama inscribed “1st Card I ever signed” can also be found in the said product.
Final Thoughts
Wembanyama has been highly touted as the next big thing in basketball. Considering his popularity and influence, his rookie cards could be a major hit once he steps foot on the NBA.
Let the Wemby chase begin!
