Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Enthusiasm for Victor Wembanyama Memorabilia
At the National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago, NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed his enthusiasm for collecting memorabilia related to Victor Wembanyama, the top draft pick of 2023. Speaking alongside his brothers Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex during an eBay Live session hosted by Ken Goldin, founder of Goldin Auctions, Antetokounmpo declared,
“I want Wemby’s first rookie card ever.”
He emphasized his belief that Wembanyama is destined to become one of the league’s elite players in the coming years, stating,
“I think he will have a very great career moving forward.”
Collectibles and Their Significance
In addition to rookie cards, Antetokounmpo mentioned a variety of other collectibles he hopes to acquire, including Wembanyama’s debut jersey, his first pair of basketball shoes, and the basketball he used to score his first point in the NBA. He remarked on the significance of investing in players like Wembanyama, alongside legends such as Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo chimed in, emphasizing the value of Michael Jordan memorabilia, declaring,
“Michael Jordan, hands down. I don’t care if it’s a shoe, the hat, the card, the jersey.”
His brother Kostas, along with Alex, agreed that Kobe Bryant should also be considered as a valuable collectible.
Wembanyama’s Impressive Collectible Sales
Wembanyama’s collectibles have garnered impressive sale prices, with a one-of-a-kind rookie card from the 2023-24 Panini Prizm Nebula fetching a staggering $860,100 in February. This sale followed an unfortunate medical situation for Wembanyama, who was sidelined due to a blood clot in his shoulder. Additionally, one of his jerseys worn during his first NBA game recently sold at Sotheby’s for $762,000, far surpassing the auction house’s initial valuation of $80,000 to $120,000. Following his recovery, Wembanyama was cleared to rejoin the San Antonio Spurs in July.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Card Collection
Giannis also took the opportunity to discuss his own card collection, which he has showcased on social media platforms. While he held back on revealing the total number of his own prized “logoman” cards, which feature the NBA logo patch, he did mention that his most valuable card is the 2013-14 Panini National Treasures autographed rookie logoman, which sold for an impressive $1.8 million in 2020.
Reflection on Signature Evolution
Reflecting on his signature evolution, Antetokounmpo shared that he initially signed his full name but later decided to shorten it to his initials for practicality, as he aims for a long and successful career in basketball.
