Introduction
The sports card market continues to surprise collectors and investors alike, with stars across basketball, baseball, football, and even hockey sparking massive movement in prices. From emerging rookies to all-time legends, the latest Top Five update reveals who’s fueling the biggest gains in the hobby this week.
Let’s dive into this week’s standouts by Sports Card Investor, including a vintage NFL legend, a World Series hero, and a basketball phenom whose card values are going interstellar.
Sports Card Market Pulse
The SCI 500 Index tracking 500 of the most prominent sports cards saw a mild dip over the last seven days, signaling a cooling period after an eventful October. However, the broader picture remains strong, with the market still up over 26% year-to-date.
Baseball cards, particularly from the 2018–2020 era, continue to outperform, while the start of the NBA season and college football’s playoff push are injecting fresh energy into modern card sales. As the year winds down, collectors are doubling down on GOAT-level vintage and high-upside young talent, both of which dominate this week’s list.
Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up This Week
#5. Frank Nazar
The Chicago Blackhawks’ young center, Frank Nazar, is skating into the spotlight. At just 21, he’s already leading his team in scoring, racking up nine points in nine games to start the season. After signing a seven-year, $46 million extension, investors are confident he’s the long-term face of the franchise.
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Base PSA 10: Up 115%, from $133 to $285 two months ago
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Base PSA 9: Up from $30–$50 to $76 a couple of months ago
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Outburst Silver (Raw): Up +15%, from $167 to $192 over the last 60 days
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Base (Raw): From under $10 to over $30 two months ago
Nazar’s early performance and franchise security make him one of hockey’s most promising young investments this season.
#4. Marcel Reed
College football fans can’t stop talking about Marcel Reed, Texas A&M’s breakout dual-threat quarterback. After leading the Aggies to a 49–25 upset over LSU, his card market exploded, and yes, even LSU’s coaching staff felt the heat after that game.
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2024 Bowman Chrome University Fuchsia Refractor Auto /150 PSA 10: From $110 to $300 a week ago
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2024 Bowman Chrome University First Prospect Auto (Raw): Up from $20–$30 to $50 a month ago
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2024 Bowman Chrome University Orange Refractor /25 (Raw): Holding steady around $250
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2024 Bowman Chrome University Refractor Auto (Raw): Up from $30-$35 to $72.50 a month ago
Reed’s combination of athleticism and leadership has positioned him as a major NFL prospect, and his Bowman University autos are now among the hottest in college football.
#3. Kyshawn George
Once overlooked, Kyshawn George is now the surprise star of the Washington Wizards’ early season. The 2024 first-round pick made headlines after dropping 34 points and 11 rebounds in a win over the Mavericks, sending his once-dollar-bin cards skyrocketing.
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2024 Mosaic Honeycomb (Raw): Up +210%, from $7 to $22 a month ago
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2024 Mosaic Genesis NBA Debut (Raw): from $10 to $37 a month ago
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2024 Prism Blue /199 (Raw): Up +521%, from $17 now $105
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2024 Prism Silver (Raw): From $1.62 to $20, up 1,000%
George’s scoring explosion and two-way potential have made him one of the fastest risers in the basketball card market, a textbook example of how quickly hype can shift in the modern NBA hobby.
#2. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
The World Series spotlight has never been brighter for Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who delivered a dominant complete-game victory in Game 2 with eight strikeouts and just one run allowed. His command and mid-90s fastball have collectors rushing to pick up his rookie cards.
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2024 Bowman’s Best “Anime” PSA 10: Up +21%, from $485 to $588 over the last 30days
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2024 Stadium Club Auto (Raw): Up +60%, from $178 to $285
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2024 Topps Base Rookie PSA 10: Up +56%, from $32 to $50
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2024 Topps Chrome X-Fractor PSA 10: Up +116%, from $43 to $93
Yamamoto’s steady rise throughout the postseason underscores one truth in the hobby: October heroes drive November profits.
#1. Victor Wembanyama
There’s no other way to say it, Victor Wembanyama is out of this world. After overcoming last season’s health issues, the Spurs’ phenom is back, dominating both ends of the floor and rewriting NBA history.
In just three games, Wemby racked up 100 points, 40 rebounds, and 18 blocks, becoming the first player ever to post that stat line in such a span. The result? His cards have gone nuclear.
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2023 Donruss Base PSA 10: Up +41%, from $45 to $74 a month ago
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2023 Hoops Base PSA 10: Up +100%, from $25 to $50 a month ago
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2023 Prizm Base PSA 10: Up +80%, from $70 now $140
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2023 Prizm Ice PSA 10: Up +60%, now $560
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2023 Prizm Silver PSA 10: From $781 to $1,700, up +117% 30 days ago
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2024 Optic Downtown (Raw): Up from $3,850 to $4,850
Collectors and investors alike are calling this the start of another “Wemby Wave.” As long as he continues this level of dominance, expect the market to orbit around him for months to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What factors make sports card prices rise?
Card prices increase due to player performance, media attention, team success, rarity, and grading condition. When a player breaks records or performs well in high-profile games, demand spikes often overnight.
2. Which sports are currently driving the card market?
As of late 2025, basketball and baseball dominate modern card sales, while football continues to perform steadily. Hockey cards are also gaining traction, especially with young stars like Frank Nazar.
3. Are rookie cards still the best investment?
Yes, rookie cards remain the most valuable and sought-after, especially for emerging stars like Victor Wembanyama and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Limited parallels, autographs, and low-serial-number versions typically hold the highest long-term value.
4. How can I track real-time card price movements?
You can monitor trends using tools like Sports Card Investor, Market Movers, Card Ladder, or 130Point for live price data and sales analytics across eBay and major marketplaces.
5. What’s the outlook for the sports card market in 2026?
The outlook remains strong. Analysts expect continued growth driven by AI-powered pricing tools, digital card marketplaces, and increased global interest, particularly from Asia and Europe. However, success will depend on picking players with consistent performance and long-term potential.
Conclusion
This week’s sports card market proves once again that momentum, whether from postseason heroics, breakout performances, or generational talent, drives prices like nothing else.
From Frank Nazar’s breakout season to Wembanyama’s historic run, each player on this list represents a story of performance meeting hype, and smart collectors are capitalizing early.
While fresh stars across sports inject volatility and opportunity into the hobby. Whether you’re collecting for nostalgia or flipping for profit, the message is clear: the sports card market remains alive, dynamic, and thriving.
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