ZION WILLIAMSON’S TOP 10 ROOKIE CARDS

OFFICIAL LIST OF THE MOST VALUABLE ZION WILLIAMSON ROOKIE BASKETBALL CARDS

AIR JORDAN PRIVATE COLLECTION

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The Air Jordan Collection

9 min readMar 7, 2020

ZION WILLIAMSON’S 10 MOST VALUABLE ROOKIE CARDS

Zion Williamson rookie cards are surging following a strong start for the New Orleans Pelicans Rookie. Injuries initially sidelined the young star, postponing the start to his NBA debut, but in his return and when healthy… Zion Williamson has been virtually unstoppable. The top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft is the biggest rookie name since LeBron James and collectors have been pushing values way up for the many Zion Williamson rookie cards.

Zion Williamson rookies haven’t yet reached Luka Doncic heights- less than a year after its release, 2018–19 Panini National Treasures Luka Doncic Rookie Card was sold for $237,777 on eBay. But, the trajectory is there. And with the 2019–2020 National Treasures Basketball release next month, followed by the rest of this year’s premium releases… it’s only a matter of time before Zion rookie cards beat that mark.

Those looking to add official Zion rookies to their collections will need to stick with 2019–20 basketball sets from Panini. The card maker has the exclusive license for NBA cards, NCAA cards and all Zion Williamson cards. These include the Pelicans and Duke Blue Devils.

Out of the Zion Williamson Rookies, autographed cards enjoy extra attention and value. So, it’s no surprise that at the top of the list of the Most Valuable Zion Williamson Rookie Cards are Autographed Rare inserts/parallels.

Shop High-End Zion Williamson Rookie Cards

See: The Top Trae Young Rookie Cards

In this article, we list the Top 10 most sought after (and the most valuable) Zion Williamson rookie basketball cards.

THE 10 MOST VALUABLE ZION WILLIAMSON ROOKIE CARDS

Official List of the Top 10 Zion Williamson Rookie Basketball Cards

1. 2019–2020 NATIONAL TREASURES ZION WILLIAMSON LOGOMAN RPA ROOKIE PATCH AUTO

One of the highlights of the NBA collecting year, 2019–20 Panini National Treasures Basketball offers premium cards with high-end pricing. Every Hobby box averages eight hits that can be autographs or relics.

Although National Treasures Basketball hasn’t yet been released, you can bet your bottom dollar that when they do come out next month, that the Logoman Rookie Patch Autograph (RPA) will claim the throne as the Most Valuable Zion Williamson Rookie card.

National Treasures Hobby Boxes are expected to release late April at a price point of $2500 exclusively on Panini’s website. These releases tend to sell out quickly as purchases are limited. That’s usually when we start see these available for sale on ebay and through distributors and sports cards stores that have clearly have figured out a way to skirt the purchase limits.

Early estimates have the 2019–20 National Treasures Basketball Hobby Boxes through dealers and distributors priced around $3,000 to $4,000 (for a box of 10 cards). The First Off The Line (FOTL) will be even higher than that. So while the Premium Collection Hobby Boxes are out of reach for most collectors, those able to afford them and get lucky enough to pull a Zion Williamson Logoman Patch Auto, they can consider their kids colleges are paid for.

Expect Zion Williamson Logoman Rookie Card Autographs to start on ebay for $100,000 and up after the National Treasures April 2020 Release.

Parallels: Emerald and Logoman editions

The 1st Off the Line (FOTL) boxes contain exclusive Stars & Stripes or Stars & Stripes Blue parallels for the RPA set in each box.

There are also one-of-one insert choices, including Logoman Autographs and Treasures Tags Autographs.

Estimated Market Value: $50,000 to $150,000+

2. 2019–20 PANINI PRIZM ZION WILLIAMSON ROOKIE CARD

Panini Prizm Basketball always is at or near the top for Rookie Autographs, as they are one of the most sought after releases for collectors.

Prizms typically have a high re-sale value as well due to their popularity and high demand.

If you’ve managed to get your hands on a Zion Williamson Autographed Rookie Prizm, consider yourself fortunate.

Prizm Autographs cards should demand serious premiums down the road if Zion remains healthy.

PRIZM PARALLELS: Silver, Mojo #/25, Gold #/10, Black 1/1, White Sparkle 1/1.

CHOICE PARALLELS: Base, Green #/8.

PREMIUM FOTL SHIMMER PARALLELS: Blue, Green #/25, Gold #/10, Black 1/1.

PRIZM PARALLELS ARE WORTH EVEN MORE!

If you’ve somehow landed an Orange Cracked Ice, a Green Cracked Ice, or you’re the one lucky bastard who pulled the 1/1 White Sparkle Prizm, then trust us when we tell you that if you can be patient and hold onto onto them for a few years, your life could be about to change.

Parallels: Orange Ice Prizms, Silver Prizms, Green Ice Prizms (/16), White Sparkle Prizms (1/1)

Current Market Value:
Prizms: $5,000-$30,000
Rookie Penmanship Autographs: (Orange, Green Ice, & White Sparkle Parallels): $10,000-$50,000

3. 2019–2020 PANINI CONTENDERS ZION WILLIAMSON ROOKIE TICKET #108

Headlined by on-card rookie autographs from the 2019 NBA draftees, 2019–20 Panini Contenders Basketball again revolves around the tickets.

The hard-signed set features Cracked Ice (#/25) and Championship (1/1) parallels, plus Optichrome Premium Edition Gold (#/10) and Gold Vinyl (1/1).

Current Market Value (Premium Parallels): $5,000- $50,000

4.2019–20 CROWN ROYALE ZION WILLIAMSON ROOKIE SILHOUETTES PREMIUM, PRIME & SUPER PRIME

The name Crown Royale Basketball isn’t typically near the Top of Lists for producing the most valuable basketball cards. Don’t get us wrong, it’s not too expensive and there are some great hits, but it can be difficult to hang with the big boys.

Premium Hobby Box Collections like National Treasures, Impeccable, Immaculate, Flawless and the others typically account for the majority of the biggest hits each year for basketball card collectors. That being said, there are some huge hidden gems in some of the 2019–2020 FOTL boxes.

The main draw for the 2019–20 Panini Crown Royale Basketball boxes are the on-card autographs, especially the Prime Silhouettes like the next card on our list:

The 2019–2020 Crown Royale Zion Williamson Silhouettes Premium /11, Prime /10 and Super Prime 1/1

Current Market Value (Premium/Prime #11 or lower): $15,000- $39,000

5. 2019–20 IMMACULATE ZION WILLIAMSON ROOKIE PATCH AUTO

The 2019–2020 Panini Immaculate Collegiate Basketball was released earlier this year ahead of the start of the NBA Season.

Immaculate Collegiate Basketball Hobby Boxes featured the first higher-end, hard-auto cards from the 2019 NBA Draft class, which is one of the most anticipated classes in several years thanks to the likes of Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and R.J. Barrett.

Rookie Cards in the series are Serial Numbered #/99

Parallels: Gold #/25; Team Slogan #/5*; Platinum 1/1

Logo Parallels: Laundry Tag Team #/5*; Brand #/5 or Less; Laundry Tag Brand #/5 or Less; Championship #/5 or 1/1; Conference 1/1; Team Shield 1/1

Current Market Value $1000-$10,000

6. 2019–20 FLAWLESS COLLEGIATE ZION WILLIAMSON ROOKIE PATCH AUTOGRAPH/ROOKIE GEMS

2019–20 Panini Flawless Collegiate Basketball puts a huge price tag on NCAA cards. The ultra-premium brand focuses largely on incoming NBA rookies but the images used are from their college years.

Of course, the meat of the 2019–20 Panini Flawless Collegiate Basketball checklist comes with the signed cards. All autographs are done on-card and numbered to 25 or less.

Hard-signed Rookie Patch Autograph cards add the RC logo for many of the top names from the NBA Draft. Quality swatches are also available, including Brand Logos, Conference, Final Four and Team patches.

Flawless Rookie Patch Autographs Set Checklist

Serial numbered #/25

Parallels: Ruby #/20, Sapphire #/15, Gold #/10, Emerald #/5, Black 1/1

On the other hand, the Rookie Gem Signatures cards replace the relic with a jewel.

2019–20 Panini Flawless Collegiate Rookie Gem Signatures Parallels:

Base Diamond — #/25

Ruby — #/20

Sapphire — #/15

Gold Diamond — #/10

Emerald — #/5

Black Oversized Diamond — 1/1

Current Market Value (Parallels #25 or less) : $2000- $15,000

7. 2019–20 DONRUSS ZION WILLIAMSON RATED ROOKIE SIGNATURES

Led by the hyped rookie class, 2019–20 Donruss Basketball is back to celebrates the NBA season with some of the year’s best rookie cards.

Rated Rookie Signatures Set Checklist

PARALLEL CARDS: Green Flood.

INFINITE PARALLELS: Blue #/35, Gold #/10, Black 1/1.

LASER PARALLELS: Green/Yellow, Orange, Purple/Green, Yellow, Red/Blue #/15, Purple #/15.

PRESS PROOF PARALLELS: Gold #/10, Black 1/1.

Current Market Value: $1000-$6000

8. 2019–20 PRIZM DRAFT PICKS AUTOGRAPHS ZION WILLIAMSON

While the Prizm NCAA line is regularly seen for football, 2019–20 Panini Prizm Draft Picks Basketball is the first full release on the hardcourt.

The 2019–20 Panini Prizm Draft Picks Basketball checklist goes for the slam dunk with autographs that average five per Hobby box.

The primary Draft Picks Prizms Autographs line highlights the best rookies.

THE PARALLELS CARRY THE MOST VALUE:

Parallels: Blue, Green, Orange, Red, R/B Snake Skin, Purple/Green #/199 or less, Neon Orange #/149 or less, Neon Green #/125 or less, Red/White/Blue #/99 or less, Hyper #/75 or less, Mojo #/49 or less, Carolina Blue #/30 or less, Camo #/25 or less, Orange Pulsar #/20 or less, Green Ice FOTL #/18 or less, Gold #/10, Gold Vinyl #/5, Black 1/1, Black Mosaic 1/1.

Current Market Value (Parallels #/25 or less): $5,000-$40,000

9. 2019–20 NATIONAL TREASURES COLLEGIATE ZION WILLIAMSON ROOKIE PATCH AUTO

One of several premium NCAA sets, 2019–20 Panini National Treasures Collegiate Basketball is the first NT offering at the college basketball level in several years.

Adding to the high-end appeal, there are no redemptions or points cards. In addition, there are on-card autographs for “all key rookies.”

Although 2019–20 NBA rookies aren’t the only option in the set, they are the primary focus. Led by Zion Williamson, 2019–20 Panini National Treasures Collegiate Basketball includes hard-signed College Materials Signatures cards with a variety of prime relic choices.

Other first-year autograph options include College Silhouette Signatures and Combo Player Signature Booklets.

In addition, fans can get a little extra with Notable Nicknames and Team Slogan Signatures.

Limited parallels check in at 25 copies or less.

Current Market Value (# to 25 or less): $2,000- $30,000

10. 2019–20 SELECT ZION WILLIAMSON

2019–20 Panini Select Basketball continues its loud ways with NBA cards, including a variety of colors and designs across the rainbow of Prizm parallels.

2019–20 Panini Select Basketball offers many of the big names from the 2019 NBA Draft in the Rookie Jersey Autographs line.

PARALLEL CARDS: Purple #99, Tie-Dye #/25, Gold #/10, Neon Orange Pulsar FOTL #/8, Black 1/1