Introduction
Trae Young is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected 5th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft and was immediately traded to the Hawks.
Early Career and College Accolades
- Attended the University of Oklahoma for one season (2017-18)
- Led the nation in scoring and assists as a freshman
- Named Player of the Year by multiple outlets (Sporting News, NBC Sports, USA Today)
- Set numerous records at Oklahoma, including most points scored by a freshman
NBA Career Highlights
- Named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2019
- Selected as an NBA All-Star in 2020 and 2022
- Led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021
- Known for his exceptional shooting, playmaking, and scoring ability
- Averaged over 25 points and 9 assists per game in the 2021-22 season
Playing Style and Impact
- Crafty ball-handler and passer with a deadly long-range shot
- Fearless and confident on the court, often hitting clutch shots
- Emerged as the face of the Hawks franchise and a rising star in the NBA
- Drawing comparisons to legendary point guards like Steve Nash and Steph Curry
In summary, Trae Young is an elite young point guard in the NBA who has already established himself as one of the league's premier talents, despite sometimes being overlooked or underrated by fans and media. His combination of scoring, passing, and potential make him a valuable asset for the Hawks.
Undervalued Trae Young Cards
1. 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Base Rookie Card
Description: The 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Base Rookie Card is a highly sought-after card among basketball card collectors. The card features a large action photo of Trae Young in his Atlanta Hawks uniform on the front. The back of the card includes Young's college stats, draft info, and a short bio. It also displays the Panini and NBA logos.
2. 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Red White Blue Rookie Card
Description: Similar to the base version, featuring a close-up action shot of Trae Young. The card has a striking red, white, and blue patriotic design, with stars and stripes patterns. The 2018-19 Panini Prizm Trae Young #280 Red White & Blue Rookie Card combines the excitement of Trae Young's rookie season with a patriotic design and scarce print run, making it a highly desirable and valuable addition to any collection.
3. 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Green Rookie Card
Description: The 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Green Rookie Card has a distinctive green color scheme. It is a rare and visually striking parallel that has become a highly desirable investment piece for basketball card collectors.
4. 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Pink Ice Rookie Card
Description: The 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Pink Ice Rookie Card front features a large action photo of Trae Young in his Atlanta Hawks jersey. The "Prizm" logo is prominently displayed at the top and Trae Young's name is shown at the bottom. The standout feature of this card is the distinctive "Pink Ice" color scheme. The background and borders of the card have a vibrant, shimmering pink hue that gives the card a unique and eye-catching appearance.
5. 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Ruby Wave Rookie Card
Description: The 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Ruby Wave Rookie Card is considered one of his most valuable rookie cards. The Ruby Wave parallel is a premium parallel in the Prizm set, featuring a distinctive ruby-colored wave pattern across the card's surface, making it more valuable and desirable for collectors.
6. 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Silver Rookie Card
Description: Similar to the base version, featuring a close-up action shot of Trae Young. The 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Silver Rookie Card has a sleek and shiny silver color scheme, giving the card a premium and metallic look, making it a highly desirable and valuable addition to any collection.
7. 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Red Ice Rookie Card
Description: The 2018 Prizm Trae Young #78 Red Ice Rookie Card combines a sleek and modern design with a premium red ice pattern background, creating a visually striking and desirable collectible. The combination of Trae Young's action image, set branding, and the eye-catching red ice pattern make this card a standout in any Trae Young or NBA rookie card collection.
8. 2018 Contenders Trae Young #142 Rookie Ticket Auto (Ball at Waist) Rookie Card
Description: The design of this card strikes a balance between showcasing Trae Young's autograph and action image while maintaining a clean and visually appealing layout. The bold color scheme and prominent branding elements help the card stand out within the 2018 Contenders set and make it a desirable addition to any Trae Young rookie card collection. The unique "Ball at Waist" image adds an extra element of interest and variety to this particular card design valuable basketball card among collectors.
9. 2018 Prizm Trae Young #RS-TYG Rookie Signatures Rookie Card
Description: The 2018 Prizm Trae Young #RS-TYG Rookie Signatures card is a highly coveted collectible from the 2018-19 Prizm Basketball set by Panini. It features an on-card autograph of Trae Young, the 5th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and a standout rookie for the Atlanta Hawks. As part of the premium Rookie Signatures insert set, this card boasts a hard-signed autograph from the young star, making it a must-have for collectors seeking authentic rookie autographs.
10. 2018 Prizm Trae Young #SS-TYG Sensational Signatures Rookie Card
Pricing as of 07/16/2024:
PSA
BGS
SGC & RAW
POP Report as of 07/16/2024:
Investment Potential of Trae Young Cards
Trae Young's Performance and Popularity
- Trae Young has established himself as one of the rising stars in the NBA, making the All-Star team in 2022 and leading the Atlanta Hawks to the playoffs.
- His impressive performance and exciting playing style have made him a fan favorite, increasing the demand for his rookie cards among collectors.
Rookie Card Scarcity
- As a top draft pick in 2018, Trae Young's rookie cards were produced in limited quantities, especially for premium and autographed versions.
- The scarcity of these cards, combined with his rising stardom, can drive up their value over time.
Long-Term Potential
- If Trae Young continues to perform at a high level and achieves individual accolades (e.g., All-NBA teams, scoring titles) and team success (e.g., deep playoff runs, championships), his rookie cards could see significant appreciation in value.
- Cards of players who become superstars or Hall of Famers often experience substantial long-term growth in value.
Graded and Autographed Cards
- Graded cards, especially those with high numerical grades (e.g., PSA 10 Gem Mint) from reputable grading companies, tend to hold their value better and have greater investment potential.
- Autographed rookie cards, like the Contenders and Hoops Hot Signatures cards, are also highly sought after and can appreciate in value if Trae Young's career continues to flourish.
Market Trends and Speculation
- The sports card market is influenced by trends, speculation, and investor demand, which can cause fluctuations in card values.
- While speculative investing carries risks, Trae Young's cards could benefit from increased demand if he continues to perform well and gain popularity.
Diversification and Long-Term Holding
- As with any investment, diversification and a long-term holding strategy are recommended when collecting Trae Young cards for investment purposes.
- Monitoring market conditions, player performance, and graded population reports can help inform buying and selling decisions.
Overall, Trae Young's rookie cards, especially graded and autographed versions, have significant investment potential if he continues his ascent to superstardom in the NBA. However, as with any collectible investment, careful research, monitoring, and a long-term approach are advisable.