Top Eight LaMelo Ball Rookie Card Picks
LaMelo Ball is an electrifying point guard for the Charlotte Hornets and was Rookie of the Year in 2021. His impressive plays make his cards a potentially juicy investment option.
Updated May 16, 2023
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LaMelo Ball burst onto the NBA scene as a top pick in the 2020 draft, and boy, has he made some noise. The Charlotte Hornets needed a jolt, and LaMelo delivered, snagging Rookie of the Year honors as he entered his second season. No wonder his rookie cards are turning heads as hot investments.
The 2020 Panini Crown Royale Kaboom! LaMelo Ball RC #23 is one of his sought-after rookie cards, with the highest sale price recorded at $19,000 in May 2021
Watch out, world—with LaMelo crushing it in the NBA, both regular and autographed rookie cards from his dazzling debut are poised to skyrocket in value.
For deep-pocketed collectors, the ultimate LaMelo Ball rookie card hails from the 21 Panini National Treasures Basketball collection. With its NT brand power, this RPA outshines others as the premier high-end pick. Eager fans seeking earlier memorabilia can discover several cards featuring autograph gems that Leaf released in 2018.
Who is LaMelo Ball?
Who is LaMelo Ball?
LaMelo Ball has experienced a remarkable rise as one of the premier basketball players of the modern era. His journey began when he and his brothers joined the Lithuanian Basketball League in 2017, and he further solidified his talent by playing in the Junior Basketball Association in 2018.
The Charlotte Hornets then drafted him third overall in the 2020 NBA draft, making it the first set of brothers ever to both be in the Top 3. Despite being the third draft pick after Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman, Ball sparked curiosity among collectors.
He earned Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month twice and was named the 2020-2021 NBA Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie First Team. Ball was an All-Star replacement for Kevin Durant in 2021, but his season was cut short due to injury.
Despite this, his meteoric rise will continue as he makes an impact on the hardwood.
Most valuable LaMelo Ball rookie cards
Most valuable LaMelo Ball rookie cards
LaMelo Ball has exceeded expectations in the basketball world, helping around the Hornets franchise. His accomplishments have also made him a prominent figure in the trading card market. Here are the top-rated LaMelo Ball trading cards to consider.
1. 2020 Panini Hoops LaMelo Ball RC #223
- Price Range: $1 to $95
- Highest Sale Price: $2,075
- PSA 10 Supply: 3,014
- Brand: Panini Hoops
The LaMelo Ball 2020 Panini Hoops sold for $2,075 in March 2021.
Source: psacard.com
Snagging a LaMelo Ball base card from the Panini Hoops collection is the dream of any serious collector. Known for its distinctiveness, this bad boy could fetch up to $2,000. And with only 3,014 gem mint copies floating around, adding one of these sweet memorabilia cards to your collection could be a wise long-term investment.
The 2020-21 Hoops collection boasts the debut of LaMelo Ball's first Rookie Card. Despite its delayed release due to the season's postponement, the set successfully ushered in a fresh collecting year—prices for this Panini card range from a budget-friendly $1 to $95. Gem mint copies have an average price of about $23, and PSA-9 copies cost about $14.
2. 2020 Panini Mosaic LaMelo Ball RC #202 (Red/Green Choice)
- Price Range: $59 to $120
- Highest Sale Price: $310
- PSA 10 Supply: 82
- Brand: Panini Mosaic
A PSA 10-graded 2020 Mosaic LaMelo Ball Red Green Choice raked in $310 in April 2022.
Source: psacard.com
A PSA 10 certified 2020 Panini Mosaic LaMelo Ball Rookie Card #202 went for an impressive $310 in April 2022. With only 82 copies carrying that prestigious PSA 10 label, this striking green-and-red card is rare.
Sounds like a collectible that truly deserves your attention.
3. 2020 Panini Donruss LaMelo Ball RC #202 (Green/Yellow Laser)
- Price Range: $39 to $292
- Highest Sale Price: $585
- PSA 10 Supply: 150
- Brand: Panini Donruss
The 2020 Panini Donruss LaMelo Ball #202 card, with 2,481 gem-mint copies, is a bit more reachable for eager collectors.
Source: psacard.com
This LaMelo Ball Rookie Card is a standout in the year's initial releases, featuring the esteemed Rated Rookie badge from a prominent flagship series. Like Hoops and Prizm, Donruss' widespread appeal and recognition surpass print run concerns.
Panini Donruss released the Green/Yellow Laser LaMelo Ball RC #202 in 2020 with 150 gem mints. The card is relatively affordable, with prices ranging from $39 to more than $200, although the highest sale price reached $585.
4. 2020 Panini Prizm LaMelo Ball RC #278 (Silver Prizm)
- Price Range: $41 to $2,800
- Highest Sale Price: $6,500
- PSA 10 Supply: 267
- Brand: Panini Prizm
The 2020-2021 Panini Prizm Silver LaMelo Ball Rookie Card #278 can sell for up to $6,500 at auction.
Source: psacard.com
This LaMelo Ball Rookie Card is considered the centerpiece among his RCs. Although not the rarest or most valuable by season's end, its popularity in the Prizm collection sets a benchmark for all his other cards. As typical for Prizm, the pursuit of parallels provides additional excitement. The 2020-21 Panini Prizm Basketball features an impressive array of over 40 distinct colors and designs.
When it comes to the Prizms parallels, the Silver Prizm #278 has a price range varying from $41 to $6,500 depending on the grade and condition of the card. Its gem mint supply is quite limited—only 267 copies.
5. 2020 Panini Spectra LaMelo Ball RC #21
- Price Range: $3,500 to $7,600
- Highest Sale Price: $10,000
- PSA 10 Supply: 9
- Brand: Panini Spectra
Only nine LaMelo Ball's rookie card #21 from the 2020 Panini Spectra Color Blast have been graded PSA-10 as of April 2023, valued up to $10,000.
Source: psacard.com
This player has been all the rage since stepping into the NBA, and his Panini Spectra #21 is following suit. With prices ranging from $3,500 to $7,600, it even hit a jaw-dropping $10,000 in March 2022.
Don't forget those later sales in August 2022 and July 2022—they went for $3,550 and $7,800 on eBay. The thirst for cards featuring this rising NBA star isn't letting up.
6. 2020 Panini Crown Royale Kaboom! LaMelo Ball RC #23
- Price Range: $2,850 to $9,200
- Highest Sale Price: $19,000
- PSA 10 Supply: 52
- Brand: Panini Crown Royale
The 2020 LaMelo Ball Panini Kaboom! Rookie Card is worth up to $19,000 and has a PSA-10 supply of 52 cards.
Source: psacard.com
The 2020 Panini Crown Royale Kaboom! LaMelo Ball RC #23 is one of his sought-after rookie cards, with the highest sale price was $19,000 in May 2021. With only 52 gem mints graded as of April 2023, it's no surprise they can fetch such a glamorous price.
Recently, this card can sell for between $2,850 and $9,200 or even higher, depending on the grade. Auction records from December 6, 2022, show that it sold for nearly $3,500, and another sold on January 17, 2023, for $3,550—all graded gem mint.
7. 2020 Panini Prizm LaMelo Ball (Purple Wave)RC #98
- Price Range: $15 to $50
- Highest Sale Price: $165
- PSA 10 Supply: 35
- Brand: Panini Prizm
In January 2021, a PSA 10-graded 2020 Panini Prizm Purple Wave LaMelo Ball #98 sold for $165.
Source: psacard.com
The LaMelo Ball Panini Prizm Rookie Card Purple Wave #98 is one to look out for—it's got chromium technology applied, making it shine and stand out.
With 1,146 PSA 10s, now could be a good time to consider getting your hands on this card. Its current value ranges from $15 to $50, with the highest sale price reaching more than $150 in January 2021. The card’s stunning visuals and sleek aesthetic will surely turn heads.
8. 2020 Panini Contenders Optic LaMelo Ball RC #105 (Autograph-Blue)
- Price Range: $2,500 to $3,200
- Highest Sale Price: $2,950
- PSA 10 Supply: 5
- Brand: Panini Contenders Optic
Only five LaMelo Ball 2020 Panini Contenders Optic Autograph-Blue card #105 have been graded gem mint by PSA.
Source: psacard.com
The 2020 Panini Contenders Optic LaMelo Ball Autograph-Blue Rookie Card #105 has a price ranging from $2,500 to $3,200. However, its highest price reached $2,950 in a February 2023 sale.
PSA 9 autographed LaMelo ball rookies have fetched an even higher price of $3,620 in March 2022. With only five PSA 10s floating around in the market, the supply is relatively low, making it a long-term investment option if you want to cash out after a couple of years.
Are LaMelo Ball trading cards a good investment?
Are LaMelo Ball trading cards a good investment?
LaMelo's also rocking some other sweet cards, especially the autographs, like the Panini Chronicles, Panini Select Premier Level, and base Rookie Silhouettes card. Investing in these rookie cards is a solid option for collectors since our guy quickly makes a name for himself in the NBA.
It's fascinating how LaMelo's cards pre-dating his NBA debut make them even more captivating. And guess what? Loads of them, especially the signed ones, continue to bring in top dollar even as more NBA Signatures hit the market.
Get your hands on his rookie cards, particularly those with NBA autographs, and see their value go through the roof in the future. The limited supply of some popular NBA cards makes them reliable investments for those hunting for a sweet return.