10 Most Valuable NBA Rookie Cards Available on eBay

Are you curious about the hottest NBA rookie cards that could be worth a fortune? Whether you’re an investor looking to make a smart buy or a fan who dreams of owning a piece of basketball history, knowing which cards are trending is the key.

And think about if you were able to get your hands on them?

Sounds crazy, right?

In this blog, we’ll explore the 10 most valuable NBA rookie cards that are available on eBay amongst all.

These cards are special because they feature players who have shown incredible potential and have already made a mark in the league.

Ready to find out? Let’s dive in.

1. 2023 Victor Wembanyama PSA 10 Prizm FOTL Exclusive Green Shimmer Rookie Card 3/3

Priced on eBay: $100,000.00 (as listed on eBay on the day of publishing)

Card Overview:

• This card is serial numbered to 2 and is one amongst the only 3 similar cards out there.
• The card has been professionally graded as PSA 10, which means it is in perfect mint condition.
• FOTL (First Off the Line) Exclusive: As a FOTL card, it is part of an exclusive set that is produced and sold first from the manufacturing line, making it even more special and valuable.
• It has a one-of-a-kind green shimmer design, which adds to its aesthetic appeal, making it a standout piece in any collection.

Player Review:

Victor Wembanyama is considered one of the most promising basketball prospects in recent history.

After receiving the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy and being granted the title of NBA Rookie of the Year, there’s a lot of excitement and hype around him.

Wembanyama has already made a significant impact in the NBA, with records like being the 6th-fastest player to hit 100 blocks. His on-court achievements might be the reason contributing to the high value of his cards.

Many collectors and investors see Wembanyama’s cards as a long-term investment. Record-breaking sales at auctions have also set high benchmarks for his card prices.

2. 2018-19 Panini Select Luka Doncic Mavs RC Rookie Tie-Dye AUTO 12/25 PSA 10 POP 3

Priced on eBay: $500,000.00 (as listed on eBay on the day of publishing)

Card Overview:

• This card is serial numbered to 12/25, meaning only 25 of these cards were produced.
• With a PSA 10 grade, it indicates that the card is in perfect GEM Mint condition, further increasing its rarity and value.
• With a POP 3, it indicates that only three cards out of the 25 have received this high grade, making it extremely rare and valuable.
• The card value significantly increases because of the hard-signed Luca Doncic signature.

Player Review:

Luka Doncic has already established himself as one of the top players in the NBA. In 2022, he achieved a historic 60-point triple-double, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 60 points and record double-digits total in a single game.

These NBA records were no surprise, as before joining the NBA, Luka was already a champion and MVP in Europe because of his Euroleague success.

Many analysts and former players believe that Luka is already a Hall of Fame-caliber player due to his early career success and offensive brilliance.

His rapid rise in the league has made his rookie cards highly sought after.

3. 2020 Donruss Optic Anthony Edwards RC Signature Series Gold 4/10 PSA 10 Auto pop 1

Priced on eBay: $70,000.00 (as listed on eBay on the day of publishing)

Card Review:

• This is the number 4 card out of the only 10 cards out there.
• With a PSA 10 grade, it indicates that the card is in perfect mint condition, further increasing its rarity and value.
• The card number “SS-AED” signifies that it is a “Signature Series—Anthony Edwards” card. This indicates that the card is part of the Signature Series, which typically features autographed cards of the player, in this case, Anthony Edwards. The “Auto” in the card title suggests the same.
• The “Gold” parallel insert in the set truly justifies its high value.
• Adding to its rarity, the “POP 1” mark makes this the only card that has received this high grade.

Player Review:

Anthony Edwards (Ant) has quickly emerged as a standout player in the NBA.

His impressive performances have earned him significant accolades, including being named an NBA All-Star in both 2023 and 2024. In 2024, Edwards also received the honor of being selected to the All-NBA Second Team, with players like Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant solidifying his status as one of the league’s top players.

Edwards also represented Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he played a pivotal role in helping the team secure a gold medal. This achievement not only enhanced his reputation but also positioned him as a globally recognized basketball star.

4. 2003 Topps Chrome LeBron James Rookie Card 111 PSA 10 Truly Centered Both Sides

Priced on eBay: $325,000.00 (as listed on eBay on the day of publishing)

Card Overview:

• This card is one of the most popular Topps chrome rookie cards of all time, primarily priced on the player’s face value.
• The card has been professionally graded as PSA 10, indicating that it is in perfect mint condition.
• The card is noted for its “truly centered” alignment, meaning the image of LeBron James is perfectly centered on the card, which is a desirable trait for collectors.

Player Review:

LeBron is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of current times.

He made his debut in the 2003-04 NBA season (rookie year). He was selected as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers and went on to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award for that season.

He has also made his name with funding a lot of philanthropic projects, like founding the “I Promise School” in his hometown of Ohio.

Also, LeBron has successfully ventured into business, including production deals, endorsements, and investments, making him a brand in his own right.

5. 1986-87 Fleer – #57 Michael Jordan Rookie, PSA Gem Mint 10

Priced on eBay: $499,999.00 (as listed on eBay on the day of publishing)

Card Review:

• This card is one of the most popular Fleer rookie cards of all time, again primarily priced on the player’s face value. This truly exemplifies an antique in the world of trading cards.
• This card represents Jordan’s rookie season in the NBA, marking the beginning of his legendary career.
• This 57 serial-numbered Rookie card is one out of the 132 cards that were manufactured then.
• Fleer cards are highly sought after by collectors due to their historical significance, player selection, and the company’s reputation for producing premium cards.
• The card has been professionally graded as PSA 10, indicating that it is in perfect mint condition.

Q. Why 1986-87 Fleer Set is important?

• The set includes rookie cards of several other basketball legends, such as Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Patrick Ewing. These cards are highly prized by collectors due to the players’ impressive careers and contributions to the sport.
• Before the release of the 1986-87 Fleer set, basketball cards were not as popular as baseball cards. It won’t be an overstatement to say that Jordan’s rookie card helped to establish basketball cards as a major collectible, giving a boost to the unacquainted memorabilia market.
• The set consists of 132 base cards and 11 stickers, making it relatively small compared to other sets adding to its rarity.

Player Review:

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball players of all time [GOAT]. He has won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, five MVP awards, and ten scoring titles, among other accolades.

After the success of Air Jordan sneakers, Jordan became a cultural phenomenon, and it marked a new beginning of his already near-legendary career.

Even after retiring from professional basketball, Jordan’s impact on the sport remains profound and unforgettable.

Curious about more such iconic cards? Check out our list of 10 most iconic NBA Trading Cards from the 90s.

6. Cade Cunningham 2021 Panini Prizm Choice Nebula RC Prizm 1/1 PSA 7 Rookie

 Priced on eBay: $120,000.00 (as listed on eBay on the day of publishing)

Card Overview:

• This card is the 2021 Cade Cunningham Panini Prizm Choice Nebula Rookie Card (RC).
• The above card is graded as PSA 7 NM.
• In PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) trading card grading, NM stands for “Near Mint” condition, meaning it has only slight surface wear visible upon close inspection.
• This #282 serial-numbered Rookie card is the only numbered card that is out there.
• Cade Cunningham’s popularity and performance in the NBA have driven up the demand for his rookie cards.

Player Review:

Cade Cunningham was the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, which immediately put him in the spotlight. In his rookie season, Cunningham showed great promise, finishing third in the Rookie of the Year race.

He also came into the limelight after receiving the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award for the month of January. Cade Cunningham reflected brilliance in his early career, and his rookie card’s value reflects his potential to become a star player in the NBA.

7. 2019 Panini Obsidian Zion Williamson Color Patch Auto 10/15 GREEN RC PSA 10 POP 1

Priced on eBay: $750,000.00 (as listed on eBay on the day of publishing)

Card Overview:

• This card is 2019 Panini Obsidian Zion Williamson Color GREEN Rookie Patch Auto (RPA).
• The card, being the 10^th card out of the only 15 cards out there, gains its significance.
• This is an E/E GREEN (energy type) colored parallel, having a patch and a hard-signed autograph, both of which are guaranteed by Panini for their authenticity.
• The card is serial number #232 and is a PSA 10 grade, which makes it a GEM Mint condition.

Player Review:

Zion was the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Although losing his chance to win Rookie of the Year for the season 2019-20 to Ja Morant, Williamson was able to secure third place in the voting.

Despite his talent, Zion has faced several injuries that have limited his playing time. This has created a sense of urgency among collectors to acquire his cards while they are still available.

Panini and other card manufacturers have released numerous Zion Williamson rookie cards across different sets, including Prizm, Select, Donruss, and more. This variety has made it easier for “player collectors” (who try to collect every card of specific players) to find and collect all his cards with a sense of enthusiasm.

8. Ja Morant 2019 Optic GOLD Rookie DOMINATOR SIGNATURES Auto PSA 10/10 POP 1

Priced on eBay: $1,000,000.00 (as listed on eBay on the day of publishing)

Card Overview:

• The card is 2019 Panini Optic GOLD Ja Morant Color GOLD Rookie DOMINATOR SIGNATURES Auto (RA).
• This card is the 5^th amongst the only 10 cards (05/10) out there, making it a rare piece in anyone’s personal collection (PC).
• The card is serial number #JMT (Ja Morant authentication) and is a PSA 10 grade, which makes it a GEM Mint conditioned card.

Player Review:

Ja Morant was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, and he quickly became one of the most exciting young players in the league.

Fans and analysts often compare him to legends like Allen Iverson and Russell Westbrook due to his explosiveness and competitive spirit. Earlier examples of Ja Morant’s most expensive Rookie Card includes 2019 Panini National Treasures RPA (Rookie Patch Autograph) which went for around $50,000 in pristine condition.

He has also secured endorsement deals and has a strong presence on social media, making him a marketable star both on and off the court. Additionally, his style, charisma, and cultural impact resonate with younger audiences, making him a popular figure in the NBA.

9. 2007 UD Premier Kevin Durant PSA 10 Pop 1 Rookie Patch Auto (RPA)

Priced on eBay: $59,995.00 (as listed on eBay on the day of publishing)

Card Overview:

• The card above is a top-notch UD (Upper Deck) Premier-produced Kevin Durant Rookie Patch Auto. (RPA)
• The “PR” in the #PR2DU serial number in the above card could stand for “Patch” or “Player’s Autograph,” and “2DU” might be a specific code for Kevin Durant’s card within the set.
• The card is the 22^nd card out of the total 25 cards.
• The card has been professionally graded as PSA 10, meaning it’s in perfect mint condition. Collectors love cards that are in top-notch condition.
• “POP 1” means “Population 1”. This means there’s only one card of this specific type and grade in existence, making it extremely rare and valuable.

Player Review:

Kevin Durant is one of the top players in the NBA, known for his scoring ability and versatility. He’s won multiple MVP awards and championships, making his rookie cards highly sought after.

In 2007, Durant entered the NBA Draft as the second overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder). The player came into the limelight when he won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2007-08.

What shocks people the most is his record of being selected 14 times in the NBA All-Star team. All of these achievements helped him to become an elite basketball player in basketball history.

Additionally, Durant has also left a significant mark through his philanthropic efforts and positive influence. He regularly leads the league in All-Star votes and jersey sales, and has been recognized as one of Time’s 100 most influential people.

10. 2022 Chet Holmgren Panini Prizm Sensational Auto Black Rookie (RC) 1/1 PSA 10/10

Priced on eBay: $50,000.00 (as listed on eBay on the day of publishing)

Card Overview:

• The above card is a 2022 Panini Prizm, serial numbered #SS-CH, which uniquely identifies that it’s a “Sensational Signatures—Chet Holmgren” card.
• The Black—“Sensational signatures” is extremely rare and is a collector’s favorite.
• The card has been professionally graded as PSA 10, indicating it is in perfect mint condition.
• The card is a Rookie Auto (RA), sticker autographed card and is the only one (1/1) card that is out there.
• The card has been professionally graded as PSA 10, indicating its perfect mint condition.

Player Review:

Chet Holmgren was a highly anticipated rookie in the 2022 NBA Draft, thought to have the potential to become a star player in the league.

Holmgren’s rookie year was the 2023-24 NBA season. In 2022, Chet was picked second overall in the NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a Lisfranc injury but made a strong return in the 2023-24 season, showcasing his impressive skills and potential.

Chet is known for his ability to play multiple positions on the court, from center to point guard. His journey from high school to the NBA has been widely covered by the media, increasing his visibility and popularity among fans and collectors.

Holmgren’s popularity and the excitement around his rookie season have driven up demand for his cards.

Conclusion

In short, NBA Rookie Cards of popular players and collectible market in general have seen a renaissance after the pandemic. This has led to hobbyists and investors flocking money into the market again. Although lucrative, the trading card market has been one with a lot of volatility but investors are still ready to take the bet. Would you take such a high bet?