When Panini first announced their new Deca Prizm product, I’ll admit, I was skeptical of it overall. In my eyes, the product seemed like one last money grab before Panini lost the NBA license to Fanatics, as well as one last opportunity to capitalize off of Wembanyama rookie cards with a splash release. What’s better than another Prizm spinoff following the success of Monopoly Prizm.
It wasn’t until I witnessed high sale prices of Deca hit the secondary market and took a deeper look at the set that it occurred to me it could be really special when we look back in ten years. In this article, I break down the three main reasons why I changed my stance on Prizm Deca Wemby rookies.
Pays Homage To The 2012 Release
You’d be hard-pressed to find a basketball collector who isn’t aware of the storied and iconic history behind the Prizm brand, and that all begins with its first release in 2012. In addition to being the first Prizm set, it is also the most limited, with just three parallels outside of the base card (Silver, Green, and Gold /10).
While 2020 Prizm has “2012 Flashback” inserts that feature the popular 2012 bordering, 2023 Prizm Deca is the first set since to fully incorporate the original design for the base set. While there are a few “throwback” variations of the 2012 design floating around, it shouldn’t present much concern to long-term collectability. Upper Deck has continuously used LeBron’s Exquisite design from 2003, and it consistently performs well. I expect similar results for these 2012 throwback cards, especially with a more limited supply.
Palatable Parallel Count
While 2023 Prizm Deca isn’t as limited as the original 2012 Prizm release, it’s a substantially lower-printed product than many other popular 2023 basketball releases. The modern Prizm brand is often criticized for its excessive number of parallels, with recent years seeing over 60 different versions of a single card. This oversaturation has made it difficult for collectors to chase and retain value in the long run.
Prizm Deca, however, takes a much more restrained approach. While it does feature more than the original 2012 Prizm’s three parallels (13 total including the base) it avoids the chaotic rainbow seen in standard Prizm releases. This makes the set feel more like a premium product while still maintaining the core collectability of Prizm. Key numbered parallels—especially the ultra-rare Gold /10 and Black 1/1—will hold strong long-term value, especially for Wembanyama rookies.
Additionally, scarcity is an important factor in a player’s key rookie cards maintaining their value. Limited print runs mean that demand will likely outpace supply, especially if Wembanyama continues on his trajectory as a generational talent.
Beautiful In-Action Photography
One of the biggest complaints about Wemby’s standard Prizm release is the use of static, uncreative photography. Wembanyama is pictured dribbling the ball on hardwood behind a curtain, a card many collectors find unappealing. Prizm Deca takes a refreshing approach by incorporating dynamic in-game action shots, bringing back a level of excitement and visual appeal that has been missing in recent Prizm releases.
For a player like Wembanyama, whose game is defined by jaw-dropping athleticism, versatility, and fluidity, having action shots that capture his unique style is crucial. The Deca Prizm image does a fantastic job of showcasing Wemby’s length, shot-blocking, and scoring ability in a way that makes these cards stand out from traditional Prizm rookies.
Final Thoughts
Looking at the long-term collectability of 2023 Prizm Deca, it has several factors working in its favor: it pays tribute to the historic 2012 Prizm set, has a much more reasonable print run compared to standard Prizm, and features high-quality in-game photography that enhances its appeal.
While Panini’s days as the official NBA license holder are numbered, *Prizm Deca feels like a proper farewell to the Wembanyama rookie era under their brand. Given Wembanyama’s potential as a generational talent, his Prizm Deca rookies—especially the more limited parallels—are well-positioned to become sought-after collectibles in the years to come.
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