NBA Rookie cards have been a really valuable item for the fans as well as the card collectors. The rookie cards have been present in the market for a very a long time and feature athletes like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry.
Usually one would assume a card’s value is tied with the performance the player manages to bring to the table, however, controversial Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has seen a spike in his cards value owing to some unique reasons involving an NFL player.
What is the most valuable NBA rookie card? Explained
The National Basketball Association trading card hobby can be traced back to 1948 when it first appeared. However, their stardom began to fade in the 1960s and 1970s as basketball’s popularity in the United States began to decline.
The NBA experienced a renaissance in the 1980s as a result of the efforts of the likes of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, and this momentum was further accelerated by Michael Jordan’s legendary reign in the 1990s. A renaissance in basketball trading card collecting occurred during Jordan’s prime, but the industry really took off in the 2010s because of sponsorship deals with celebrities like Drake.
Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Stephen Curry trading cards are among the most sought by collectors. NBA trading cards continue to be popular because of their cultural and historical value. Per Stadiumtalk.com the 2009-10 Panini National Treasures Logoman Stephen Curry is the most valuable NBA rookie card which stands at a whopping $ 5.9 million.
Michael Oher link boosts Ja Morant’s rookie card worth 5x
Unsurprisingly, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, die-hard fans of the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant, are regulars in the stands. Because of their relationship with Morant, which is highlighted on his rookie card, they have attracted notice for more than just their team loyalty.
Morant’s rookie card reportedly sold for around $100 before Michael Oher decided to end his partnership with the Tuohys. The suspension Morant received from the NBA for off-court troubles likely had an impact on this valuation.
the Ja Morant rookie card with Young Dolph and Key Glock also including the husband and wife from The Blindside is wild 😳 pic.twitter.com/ekBDcQTCdd
— AuxGod (@AuxGod_) August 17, 2023
After Tuohy’s rookie card was released, however, the situation changed dramatically. This week, the card’s value has skyrocketed to the region of $550 in a few exceptional cases. Many collectors, especially those who didn’t give Ja Morant’s card enough attention at first, have been caught off guard by this sudden increase in value.
Ja Morant’s rookie card got Young Dolph and Key Glock on it 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/QLhbKvqfyQ
— Hoops (@HoopMixOnly) August 12, 2023
The interesting relationship between sports stories and collector markets is illustrated by the dramatic increase in the value of Morant’s rookie card as a result of the Michael Oher connection and the Tuohy family’s ties to both Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.
