Let’s talk Wemby.
Victor Wembanyama was supposed to be the Chosen One. The 7’4” unicorn with handles, shot-blocking instincts from the heavens, and a Eurostep that makes guards cry. He was going to revolutionize the game — and the hobby treated him like it was 2003 and a young LeBron just stepped off the SI cover.
The card world erupted. His Topps Now cards sold out in minutes. Raw base Prizms were hitting triple digits. Autos? You might as well have offered your left kidney and a gently used PSA 9 Luka Silver just to get a sniff.
But here we are in mid-2025, and the question is loud:
Is it too late to flip Wemby cards?
Let’s Start with the Elephant: Prospect Fatigue
Prospect fatigue is real — not just in sports, but in the hobby. The hype cycle is so fast now that by the time a guy plays his 20th game, people are already moving on to the next shiny thing. Remember Chet Holmgren? Cade Cunningham? Zion? LaMelo? Exactly.
Wemby’s not even washed — he was awesome this year. He averaged 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks on a Spurs team with more future potential than present talent. But card buyers don’t care. They want the next Wemby.
If you missed the preseason hype window or the early November boom, prices have come down across the board. But that doesn’t mean you can’t flip. It just means you have to get smarter.
Step 1: Know the Pop Counts
Wemby base Prizms? Flooded. Mosaic and Donruss? Even worse. Graded pop counts are climbing by the week, especially with PSA turning around submissions like they’re on performance-enhancing caffeine.
If you’re trying to flip raw base, just don’t. You’re the last guy to the buffet and all that’s left is crusty mac and cheese. Instead, you want color, serial numbers, SSPs, or cards with legit scarcity built in.
This is exactly why we all must consider the importance of rarity and perceived value in card flips. Even if it’s a modern card, low pop = leverage.
Step 2: Follow the NBA Calendar
Timing matters. The NBA season is a rollercoaster, and your best flips follow that curve.
- Preseason hype: Huge window. Already gone for Wemby.
- Debut buzz: His first few games were electric. That wave crested fast.
- Mid-season lull: Most people lose interest unless something viral happens.
- All-Star and Awards chatter: This is your next possible pump window.
Wemby’s rookie season hype is long gone — we’re two full seasons removed from that. The market’s cooled, but the Spurs are still building around him. If you’re holding his cards now, your best shot is to time flips around a breakout stretch next season or a potential All-NBA nod. Playoffs are still a long shot unless San Antonio pulls off a blockbuster trade, so don’t count on a deep postseason pump just yet.
Step 3: Look for Undervalued Inserts or Parallels
Everyone chases Silvers, Autos, and Golds. But what about weird inserts or short prints that fly under the radar? Look through products like Revolution, Court Kings, Select, and Optic for parallels that don’t have inflated pop counts yet.
It’s not always about the flashiest card — it’s about margins. The lower you buy in, the less you need on the flip to come out ahead.
Heck, even some eBay lots or random colored parallels (Hyper, Fast Break, etc.) can be great low-entry flips if you’re buying raw and moving them fast on release weekend.
Step 4: Be Honest About Your Timeline
There are two Wemby buyers: short-term flippers and long-term believers.
If you’re a flipper, your goal is to buy low, sell into hype. Easy to say. Harder to time. But flipping requires you to constantly watch the market, follow Twitter/X/IG trends, and be willing to move inventory now even if a higher ceiling might come later.
If you’re long-term? Then you’re not worried about 2025 prices. You’re buying color match cards, low-pop PSA 10s, or unique on-card autos and putting them in the vault until 2030. Wemby is built to be a Hall of Fame-caliber player. If he stays healthy (massive “if”), those long holds could age like fine wine.
But don’t pretend you’re holding long if you’re checking eBay prices every morning.
Step 5: Diversify Your Wemby Bag
Don’t just hold ten raw Donruss Rated Rookies and think you’re diversified. That’s like investing in ten flavors of ramen and calling it a portfolio.
Think:
- One low-pop numbered PSA 10
- One rare SSP raw with grading potential
- One funky insert that might pop later
- One on-card auto (if you’ve got the cash)
This way, you have plays for multiple exit windows — not just one shot at profit.
Should You Still Buy Wemby Right Now?
If your goal is to flip for quick profit, only buy if you’re getting a deal. That means under comps, raw with gem potential, or auction steals. Pay retail, and you’re hoping he drops 35-15 with five blocks next game. That’s gambling, not flipping.
If you’re long-term bullish? Watch for offseason dips or during injury news (not wishing it, just saying — the market reacts fast). That’s your window to pounce.
Bottom Line: It’s Not Too Late — But It’s Not 2023 Anymore
Wembanyama cards aren’t dead. But the days of “buy anything and profit” are gone. Now it’s about patience, selectivity, and understanding timing.
There’s still money to be made flipping Wemby — but only if you’re playing the game smarter than the next guy. You’re not early anymore. So act like it.
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