Anthony Davis’ 11 Most Expensive Basketball Cards

Anthony Davis has had quite the career and all before he turns 30 years old! One of the most dominant power forwards the league has ever seen, 

Davis has struggled with injuries throughout his career. To this point, the man might have more injury-related nicknames than real ones: Anthony Day-to-Davis, Street clothes, and ADisney. But despite this slander, when Anthony Davis has played, he has been a dominant force. He is an eight-time NBA all-star, has made All-NBA First-Team four times, and has four All-Defensive Teams. He was (deservedly or not is debatable) selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary team in 2021.

Since his selection as the first overall pick in 2012 by the New Orleans Hornets (now the Pelicans), Davis has impacted both ends of the court. 

1. 2012-13 National Treasures (RPA) #151 Anthony Davis Signed NBA Logoman Patch Rookie Card (#1/1) – BGS MINT 9/BGS 10

$1,020,000.00

The most expensive Anthony Davis basketball card in the world is a 2012-13 Anthony Davis Rookie National Treasures, rated a mint-9, that sold for $1.02 million on February 1st, 2021.
The National Treasures Rookie Patch cards dominate the prices on many of our most expensive basketball cards lists, including some of his fellow Lakers star Lebron James' rookie cards, especially when the iconic NBA logo appears so beautifully alongside the player.
Let's take a look at the description from the GoldinAuctions lot in detail.

In addition to the winning season that yielded his Championship ring, the 27-year-old's accomplishments include seven NBA All-Star selections, an NBA All-Star Game MVP Award (in 2017) and numerous formal acknowledgements of his superior defensive skills. Additionally, Davis claimed an NCAA Championship in 2012, as well as an Olympic Gold medal in the same year. The potential for this tremendous athlete's continued success seems assured, and the future for Davis, his fans and his team looks bright, indeed, as a result of his anticipated contributions.

Encapsulated and graded MINT 9 by BGS, with signature graded “10” by Beckett. This collectible's glorious obverse design is projects a full-color likeness of Anthony Davis. A superb cloth “Logoman” NBA-symbol patch, taken from a player-worn Davis jersey, dominates the card's right-side aspect. To the left is the athlete's large and confident, blue ink signature, to which Davis has added the jersey-number inscription, “23.” Finally, gracing the margin to the top-left of the star's image, the “One of One” limited edition serial number officially confirms that the card is truly unique. The card's BGS condition report: Centering: 9.5, Corners: 8.5, Edges: 9.5, Surface: 9. Text on the card's back states Panini America, Inc.'s warranty for the authenticity of the signature and genuineness of the patch component, and serves as the item's COA. Mint condition.

2. 2012-13 Panini National Treasures Gold #151 Anthony Davis Signed Patch Rookie Card (#1/5) – BGS GEM MINT 9.5/BGS 10

$181,200.00

2012-13 Panini National Treasures Gold #151 Anthony Davis Signed Patch Rookie Card (#1/5) - BGS GEM MINT 9.5/BGS 10 - A "True Gem+" Example!
 
Interestingly the next most expensive Anthony Davis rookie card falls off a steep $900,000 in value. Rated at a GEM MINT of 9.5 by BGS, this card also features a signature with the esteemed “10” grade. The BGS condition report records this as Centering: 9.5, Corners: 9.5, Edges: 9.5, and Surface: 10.
 
Davis's youngness (is that a word?) jumps off this card's face. He's skinnier, looking specifically at the face, which makes the unibrow jump out quite a bit more than usual. Davis hit the ground running despite his age, and it did not take long before he etched himself into the history books. Davis became the youngest player in NBA history to record 800 points, 500 rebounds, and 100 blocks in less than 65 games.
 

3. 2012-13 Panini Prizm Gold Prizm #236 Anthony Davis Rookie Card – PSA MINT 9

$181,200.00

The first of the Panini Prizms collection to make it on this list, the Gold Prizm borders the first years player rising for what appears to be a dunk. This GEM MINT 9 rookie card sold for the same price as the one featured above, $181,000.
 
Back when Anthony Davis rocked the iconic number 23, popularized by the one and only Michael Jordan—who himself has some of the most expensive basketball cards in the world—he made sure to leave a historical legacy one day before turning the same age as his jersey number. In his last game before his 23rd birthday, Davis exploded for 40 points and 13 rebounds in a win against the Charlotte Bobcats. 
 

4. 2012-13 Panini Immaculate Collection Rookie Immaculate Logoman Autographs #134 Anthony Davis Signed Patch Rookie Card (#1/1) – PSA Authentic, PSA/DNA 10

$80,400.00

Another one-of-one Anthony Davis Rookie card, this time from the Panini Immaculate Collection. These 2021-22 Panini Immaculate boxes cost $1599, and with the chance to find cars of this high a value, you can see why!

The lot description points to the similarities between this card and the $1.02 million card that tops this list. I feel it's pretty easy to spot the difference; look at the price. Regardless, this is a high-value card of the astounding talent that is Anthony Davis.

5. 2012-13 Panini Immaculate Collection Numbers Parallel #134 Anthony Davis Signed Patch Rookie Card (#07/23) – BGS GEM MINT 9.5/BGS 10

$31,200.00

Graded a GEM MINT 9.5, this is another rookie Anthony Davis feature that showcases the value behind his basketball cards. In a different image, with Anthony Davis pulling up for a jumper, the traditional blue-and-gold Hornets jersey is front and center, both on Davis and in the gold border featuring a game-worn patch from the all-star power forward.

Most notable for me, in this picture of Davis, is the fullness of his unibrow. The “brow” was so iconic and a part of his image that it was featured in commercials and pamphlets around the league. Davis even caused a viral sensation when he uploaded a video shaving it away, which you can watch below.

 

6. 2012 Prizm Anthony Davis Prizms (Silver) PSA 10

$24,875.00

The AD rookie Prizm card from his 2012 season has sold once for $24,875, and then later, the owner sold it for a return of…oh wait, he lost money. The card was sold again for $24,000 in March 2021. You can't win them all! Unlike Davis, who hasn't won them all, but as far as championships go, he has won one.

After teaming up in Los Angeles with Lebron James in his first season, the Lakers blew apart the bubble and rumbled their way to the Finals to face the Miami Heat. Davis, for the playoffs, was worth his weight in gold. He averaged 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists on his way to his first ring. He even hit one of the most clutch buckets in the playoffs that season, with a game-winning three-pointer against the Denver Nuggets that you can see below.

 

7. 2012-13 Panini Prizm Silver #236 Anthony Davis Rookie Card – PSA GEM MT 10

$22,800.00

Another GEM MT condition to make this list is this 2012 Panini Prizm Silver, which features a shiny silver border surrounding the star.
 

8. 2020-21 Flawless Logoman Autographs TRUE 1/1 #3 Anthony Davis Future HOF

$16,889.00

The first non-rookie basketball card to make this most expensive Anthony Davis cards list. Davis was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers after being excused from the New Orleans Pelicans due to the surrounding distraction caused by his trade request. The trade included now All-Star Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, three future first-round picks, and one option to swap picks. It's one of the most significant trade hauls ever received for a single player in the history of the NBA, and considering the Lakers went on to win an NBA title, you can say it went well for both parties. 

9. 2018-19 Panini Flawless Anthony Davis LOGO MAN 1/1 Patch AUTO PSA 8/10! MF

$13,667.00

This card shows Davis playing during his last year in New Orleans, which was, as mentioned, marred by controversy. 

Whether you view the trade as successful despite the bubble performance is worth the question. The Lakers and Davis have struggled, later succumbing to injury after injury that keeps him off the court. And with the Lakers trading for Russel Westbrook, who fits in very poorly alongside Davis and Lebron, the Lakers have lost all hope of future championship contention. It's yet to be seen if they can turn it around. 

10. 2012-13 National Treasures Jersey Number Autographs #151 Anthony Davis Signed Rookie Patch Card (#04/25) – BGS GEM MINT 9.5/BGS 10

$13,200.00

Let's take another look at the GoldinAuctions description of this card, similar to the one that sold for $1.02 million.

Graded GEM MINT 9.5 by BGS, with signature graded “10” by Beckett. Rookie Card. The decorated center and 2020 NBA Finals champion Anthony Davis shines on this stunning Panini National Treasures Jersey Number Autographs collectible. A recent entry into the “$1,000,000 Card Club,” Davis is one of the NBA’s brightest stars and a near-certainty for Hall of Fame induction. The inimitable former Kentucky star is an Olympic gold medalist with eight All-Star appearances to his name, with many more sure to come. Davis has signed this Panini offering in blazing blue ink. A player-worn material patch in the shape of Davis’ number “23” is also located on the card’s front. The card’s BGS condition report: Centering: 9.5, Corners: 9, Edges: 9.5, Surface: 9.5. A statement on the card’s back by Panini attests to the authenticity of the signature and memorabilia component, and serves as the item’s COA. The limited-edition piece is serial-numbered “04/25.” Please note a small flaw is present over Davis’ right eye. A sublime Anthony Davis collectible, in gleaming Gem Mint condition.

Looking at this basketball card, I love the unique feature of placing the jersey into a cut-out of his number. It gives it a different look when comparing it to other cards.
 

11. 2013 Panini Prizm Gold Prizm Anthony Davis /10 #4 PSA 10 GEM MINT

$11,533.00

 

We'll finish this list up with a Panini Prizm GEM MT 10 from his second season. This was the year Davis truly rounded into form. Davis began the year with the newly named Pelicans by posting a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds. He topped that by becoming the youngest player in the franchise's history to record a 25-point and 15-rebound game. Finally, another game saw him record 6 blocks and 6 steals, showing his impact defensively as well. Unfortunately, his hot streak would end after suffering a hand injury, to forecast what would plague him for much of his career.

Sound off in the comments below. Do you think the Lakers can turn it around with Davis, or is a change of scenery needed for the big man? Thanks again for reading!

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