Introduction
The sports card market continues to deliver one of its most exciting seasons in years, driven by breakout rookies, unexpected comeback campaigns, and elite-level performances across the NFL, NBA, and NHL. As Thanksgiving week hits in the United States, collectors are buzzing about several players whose card values are heating up at a rapid speed.
This week’s Top 5 Sports Cards of the Week by Sports Card Investor showcases athletes who are outperforming expectations on the field and court and whose card markets are responding with significant upward momentum. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a passionate hobbyist, these are the players whose recent performances are shaping the sports card landscape right now.
Sports Card Market Pulse
According to Market Movers, the overall hobby experienced a mild pullback this week:
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SEI 500 Index (7 Days): ▼ 0.9%
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SEI 500 (30 Days): ▼ 1.6%
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Year-to-Date: ▲ 28.1%
Despite short-term dips, the market remains extremely strong for 2025. Key insights include:
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Best-Performing Category (30 Days): Basketball (2010–2017) ▲ 15.2%
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Worst-Performing Category (30 Days): Soccer (2000–2009) ▼ 7.7%
Modern basketball continues to lead the market, while early-2000s soccer has slowed. Even so, the week’s biggest movers show that individual player performance can outweigh broader market trends, and this week’s stars are doing exactly that.
Top 5 Sports Cards of the Week
Below are the five players whose cards are trending up most significantly based on player performance, sales volume, market activity, and collector demand.
#5. Davis Mills
Davis Mills has unexpectedly reclaimed the spotlight after stepping in for CJ Stroud, who suffered a Week 9 concussion. Leading Houston to a 2–0 run, Mills has posted a completion rate above 65% and shown renewed poise in pressure situations. His starting role may be temporary, but collectors are buying in again.
Card Market Highlights (Last 30 Days):
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2021 Prizm Red Wave Rookie Auto /149 PSA 10: ▲ 338% from $20 → $88
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2021 Mosaic Genesis PSA 10: Up from $24 → $75
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2021 Immaculate Introductions Auto /49 Raw: ▲ 50% from $19.88 → $30
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2021 Prizm Silver PSA 10: Up from $22 → $30
Even if short-lived, Mills’ resurgence has ignited his market and placed him firmly back on the hobby radar.
#4. Leo Carlsson
Leo Carlsson continues to establish himself as one of the NHL’s brightest young stars. At just 20 years old, he’s delivering elite two-way play, posting 11 goals, 18 assists, and a +11 rating with clutch performances in big moments.
Card Market Highlights (Last 30 Days):
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2023 SP Future Watch Auto /999 Raw: ▲ 78% from $180 → $321
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2023 Upper Deck Young Guns Outburst Silver Raw: ▲ 135% from $102 → $241
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2023 Upper Deck Young Guns PSA 10: Up from $98 → $221
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2023 Upper Deck Young Guns PSA 9: Up from $25.50 → $51
Carlsson is performing like a future franchise centerpiece, and collectors are treating him like one.
#3. Derik Queen
While the Pelicans’ season has been disastrous at 3–15, rookie center Derik Queen has become the team’s brightest spot. With multiple 20+ point outings and one 30-point performance last week, Queen’s size, touch, and maturity have vaulted him to third in Rookie of the Year odds.
Card Market Highlights (Last 30 Days):
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2025 Topps Contemporary Marks Auto Raw: Up from $32 → $58.50
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2025 Topps Havoc MarkX Auto Raw: ▲ 84% (to $56)
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2025 Topps New Applicants Insert Raw: ▲ 102% (to $43)
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2025 Topps Gold Parallel /2025 Raw: Up from $10 → $29.50
He has limited card supply so far, and that scarcity, combined with strong production, is driving sharp price jumps.
#2. Kon Knueppel
The fourth overall pick is putting the league on notice. Kon Knueppel has scored 20+ in five of his last six games and is averaging 24.3 PPG on 56% shooting during that stretch. He currently holds the highest true shooting percentage for a rookie in NBA history (65.4%). Kappel has officially overtaken Cooper Flagg in Vegas odds for Rookie of the Year.
Card Market Highlights (Last 30 Days):
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2025 Topps Hardwood Stars Raw: Up from $120 → $140
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2025 Topps Contemporary Marks Auto Raw: ▲ 63% from $73 → $119
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2025 Topps Havoc Marks Auto Raw: Up from $62 → $112
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2025 Topps Franchise Fabrics Patch Raw: Up from $10 → $14
Kappel’s mix of efficiency, shot creation, and star potential makes him one of the most exciting early-season risers.
#1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
JSN has officially entered the “best receiver in football?” conversation. He is:
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Tied for 1st in receptions
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Leading the NFL in receiving yards by nearly 300 yards
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Already broke Seattle’s single-season receiving record
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Not even at Thanksgiving yet
His latest performance, 8 catches, 167 yards, 2 TDs, pushed both his on-field momentum and his card market into overdrive. While his card prices are up a solid 13.9%, his sales volume is up 77%, showing massive collector demand.
Card Market Highlights (Last 30 Days):
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2025 Absolute Horizontal Kaboom Raw: ▲ 18% from $550 → $650
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2023 Donruss Downtown Raw: ▲ 16% from $460 → $536
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2023 Prizm Rookie Autographs Silver PSA 10: ▲ 17% from $355 → $440
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2023 Prizm Silver PSA 10: ▲ 69%
As JSN continues to dominate weekly, his cards are becoming some of the hottest in football and the hobby.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What causes sports card prices to rise the fastest?
Player performance is the #1 driver, followed by rarity, collector demand, and major media exposure.
2. Are rookie cards still the best long-term investments?
Yes, rookie cards, especially serial-numbered, autographed, and PSA 10s, remain the hobby’s most valuable assets.
3. What’s the easiest way to track real-time card prices?
Tools like Market Movers, Card Ladder, and 130Point provide verified sales data and powerful trend tracking.
4. Do temporary breakouts (like backup QBs) hold value?
Not always. Often, these spikes are short-lived unless the player wins the job long-term.
5. What sports are performing best right now?
Basketball is currently the strongest (2010–2017 especially), while soccer in the 2000s has cooled.
Conclusion
This week’s Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up of the Week highlights how quickly the hobby can shift when players seize their moment. From Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s historic season to Kon Knueppel’s elite rookie shooting and Leo Carlsson’s NHL rise, collectors are chasing big performances, and the market is responding.
With the card market still up 28% for the year, there’s plenty of momentum heading into the holiday season. Whether you're buying, selling, or just watching trends unfold, one thing is clear:
2025 remains one of the most exciting years the sports card hobby has seen in a long time.
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