From 2019 to 2021, the sports card market exploded—driven by pandemic-era stimulus money, a rise in mainstream collecting, and unprecedented demand for modern basketball rookies. However, since 2022, prices have undergone a significant correction.
The question many collectors are asking now is: Are basketball card prices finally stabilizing? Or is another boom on the horizon?
The Rise and Fall of the Bubble
2020-21: The Boom Era
Luka’s Silver Prizm PSA 10 rookies increased 10x+ in less than a year The pandemic brought millions of new collectors into the hobby.
LeBron, Jordan, and Luka rookies hit record highs—some increasing 8x or more in value.
New products like Prizm and National Treasures were selling at insane resale prices.
2022-23: The Market Correction
Price graphs for Kobe’s Topps PSA 10 and Topps Chrome Refractor PSA 10 rookie cards As stimulus money dried up, prices fell sharply.
Base cards as well as rare low-numbered parallels lost significant value.
Ultra-modern cards became overprinted, leading to saturation in the market.
Where Are We Now? (2024-25)
High-End Cards Have Stabilized – Grail-level collectibles like Exquisite RPAs, Logoman Autographs, and Gold Prizms have held value and even set new records.
Base & Overprinted Cards Have Declined – The days of Luka Doncic PSA 10 base rookies selling for $1,000+ are long gone. Modern base rookies have fallen dramatically in price.
Collectors Are More Selective – The focus is now on rarity, brand prestige, and historical significance rather than chasing every new product.
What’s Next for Basketball Cards?
Ultra-Rare Grails Will Continue to Dominate – The highest-end rookie cards and significant non-rookies will likely remain million-dollar items, especially for Curry, LeBron, Wemby, and Luka.
The Next Big Boom? The appearance of hobby ghosts like Curry's Topps Chrome Superfractor rookie or LeBron's Vertical Rookie Logoman Autograph could act as a much-needed spark
Final Thoughts: Where the Market Stands
After years of extreme highs and corrections, basketball card prices are finding their equilibrium. While some sectors of the market have cooled, elite-level cards continue to reach new heights, proving that true grails will always command strong demand.
For collectors, this means focusing on the right cards—low-numbered parallels, iconic brands, and all-time great players—as the market continues to evolve.
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