FIRST VICTOR WEMBANYAMA CARD IN SPORTS ILLUSTRATED KIDS
In case the sight of more than a dozen Grittys on the cover doesn’t get your attention, one of the cards inside the January/February, 2023 issue of Sports Illustrated
Kids might. is is where collectors will find the closest thing to the first
Victor Wembanyama card.
e 19-year-old prospect and potential No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Dra is one of nine players included in the magazine. Wembanyama is in the top-middle spot of the nine-card sheet.
e French forward doesn’t have any mainstream cards yet from Panini, Topps or any other manufacturer at the moment. He will eventually, but for now this is it. Sports Illustrated Kids
cards aren’t officially licensed and they not traditionally distributed, but they have a long history in the hobby dating back decades. Tiger Woods and Serena Williams are among the most valuable to come from the magazine.
Interest in the Wembanyama
SI Kids card is already solid, with some selling on eBay for $30 or more. While the card will be notable for some time, expect it to be overshadowed very quickly once his first NBA cards arrive.
Besides potential tears and paper loss from being separated from the sheet, SI for
Kids cards are oen off center. Finding mint copies could prove to be tough over time.
Wembanyama isn’t the only potential top pick on the January/February sheet either. Next to him is Alyssa ompson who is expected to go first in the 2023 NWSL Dra. It’s the USWNT standout’s first card as well.
Collectors should be wary of the many Wembanyama “cards” that are floating around on places like eBay. Lots of people are listing unauthorized cards they’ve made themselves. ey might have cool designs but they’re essentially bootlegs and won’t hold any collectible value.