Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antekokounmpo was the NBA defensive player of the year for the 2020-21 season. His résumé also contains a ring from the same year, two Most Valuable Player awards, and one Most Improved Player award. Antekokounmpo has the makings of a generational talent.
With eight years of experience and an almost eight-foot wingspan (ok 7'3″ but…), Antetokounmpo’s 2013 National Treasures Logoman Autograph card sold for a whopping $1.81 million. Featuring one of Antetokounmpo's jersey NBA logos in addition to his signature, this card sold before the 2021 Championship and was the most expensive card ever to sell at the time. This line of cards tends to be more valuable than others, and with Antetokounmpo only being 27 years old, he has a lot of years down the road to improve and gain more value in his collectibles.
However, most would agree that nearly two million dollars are a hefty price to spend on a single card. In this list, we’ll discuss highly-priced cards sporting this talented basketball player on them, and how their features distinguish them in garnering such a profit.
So if you have an interest in cards, collecting them yourself, or simply want to obtain more memorabilia of Giannis Antetokounmpo, then you’ve come to the right place. While the card's prices won’t quite reach “Stephen Curry range”, there are still some ideal picks for Bucks fans to choose from. That said, let’s tackle the main section, analyzing some of the most expensive Giannis Antetokounmpo cards.
2013-2014 Panini National Treasures Logoman Autograph Giannis Antetokounmpo
Price: $1.8 Million
The Greek Freak has many valuable basketball cards to his name. None more so than this. This Panini National Treasures Logoman Autograph is a 1/1, features an autograph in blue ink, and contains a jersey patch of the NBA logo. The National Treasures line from Panini is one of the most high-end series of sports cards in existence. When this card sold for $1.8 Million, it was the most valuable basketball card ever sold.
The most expensive sports cards in the hobby have traditionally been baseball cards but basketball cards have been all the rage lately. A handful of basketball cards have sold for over $2 Million in the past couple of years. Giannis is still fairly young and has plenty of time to justify the immense value of this card.
2013-2014 Panini Prizm Black Mosaic Giannis Antetokounmpo
Price: $1.1 Million
This Panini Prizm Black Mosaic is a truly unique card. This card put the Mosaic line on the map when the 2013 Giannis Prizm Black Mosaic sold for over $1 Million at Goldin Auctions in December of 2020. It is also a 1/1 (meaning it is the only one of its kind) and was the 2nd Giannis card to sell for 7 figures.
Panini knocked it out of the park with this design. The combination of the card's scarcity and design make it super desirable. Add in Antetokounmpo's seemingly endless potential and this card is worth…well, $1 Million.
2013-14 Panini Prizm Black Auto Giannis Antetokounmpo
Price: $384,000
Sold in December 2020, this card went for $384,000 and boasts a 9.5 Gem Mint rating. This autographed Prizm Black variation includes a picture of Antetokounmpo with his autograph at the bottom of the card in addition to the team he represents.
The back includes his statistics, describing some fun facts and history. Appropriately nicknamed the “Greek Freak” for his ability to play any position on the court, this card is a masterpiece for Antetokounmpo.
Like many of the other cards at the top of this list, It’s a 1/1. Experts agree that this is one of the finest modern trading cards to exist, and it’s one of the most expensive Giannis Antetokounmpo rookie cards.
Because of its high-scoring aesthetics and beautiful design, this card debuted at an ideal time for hobbyists or Bucks followers with more than a few pennies in their pocket to secure such a timeless piece of memorabilia.
2013-14 Panini National Treasures Gold Giannis Antetokounmpo
Price: $87,000
Sold in February 2021, this card fetched a high price of $87,000 but seems cheap compared to the previous cards on the list. This card was graded BGS 8 with a piece of Antetokounmpo’s jersey. This card is pristine, fancy, golden-edged, and includes his signature at the bottom of the card. The back, like most cards, has his statistics, a description, and a guarantee from National Treasures.
This card is 1 of 25. It’s elegant and is highly desirable for any avid collector and Bucks fan. It is a tribute to his past and future achievements and obtains obvious potential for further investment.
The National Treasures, featuring Antetokounmpo, are one of the most recognized series amongst collectors. They are always valued highly at auctions.
2013 Panini Immaculate Collection Giannis Antetokounmpo Autograph Patch
Price: $55,800
This stunning card includes his signature and a piece of his uniform. It’s numbered 84/99, but this particular card is graded PSA 10, and is one of the highest graded cards of its kind. In addition, his figures and background are listed, with facts and history.
Did you know that he was the 15th overall selection in the NBA 2013 Draft and was the youngest starter at 19 years old? This feat is further proof of why this card is so highly valued at $55,800.
This card reaches top-tier assessment and is consistent in perfect design. There is also another Immaculate Collection card that sold for less, at $51,600. This variation contains the same info and layout but a different picture and numbers. The Gem Mint rank is 9.5 instead of the perfect 10 of its pricier counterpart.
2013 Court Kings Giannis Antetokounmpo
Price: $28,800
On its own, this card is not one of the most expensive Giannis cards. The grade of this particular card is what gives it its value. This card received a grading of BGS Black Label from Beckett Grading Services, meaning it is in pristine condition.
This card features a photo of the young Antetokounmpo smiling and a signature in blue ink. The back displays a description of his ball-handling skills and instincts that make him a great player, in addition to the stats and position he normally plays.
Sold in May 2021, this card went for $28,800. Antetokounmpo’s youth and ability show just how much upside he has left. He obviously has a lot to achieve before joining the likes of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Lebron James but; this card immortalizes him in pristine condition, and it’s rare due to the Black Label.
2013 Panini Gold Standard Giannis Antetokounmpo
Price: $11,400
Another card graded Gem Mint, this card is quite literally gold-standard. It's sure to stand out from the rest, featuring a centered picture of Antetokounmpo, his name and signature underneath, a yellow background, and a portion of his jersey in the center. The back lists stats, fun facts, the Bucks' logo, and more.
Sold in December 2020 for $11,400, this card is a must-have for Antetokounmpo collectors. The card is numbered 231 and is virtually flawless.
2013 Panini Prizm Giannis Antetokounmpo
Price: $10,000
This Panini Prizm edition is pristine, 10/10, including a picture of Antetokounmpo with his name and team underneath. With a design similar to the previous editions, except with no signature, this card is less expensive but still a solid choice for someone searching for value.
Important Giannis Antetokounmpo Rookie Cards
Here, we’ll dive into some Giannis rookie cards that are maybe a little easier to get your hands on. We will focus on some cards that have slightly larger print runs.
2013-14 Panini Spectra Giannis Antetokounmpo
This card is action-packed, the picture showing Antetokounmpo sprinting up the court, and the design is horizontal, unlike the previous options. It includes a sticker signature and a portion of a worn jersey.
There are multiple parallels available: light blue, orange, gold, and black. Comparatively affordable at approximately $1,500, this card bears the number 32/99. It highlights Antetokounmpo’s talent in a limited edition and includes fun facts on the back that detail his impressive career and attributes, such as his 15-inch sized hands!
2013-14 Exquisite Collection Giannis Antetokounmpo Rookie Autograph
Exquisite Collection provides high-end cards to collect for avid fans. The supply of Antetokounmpo-themed cards is limited but highlights his Greek heritage with the design and fonts. This variation still includes his signature and sold in May 2020 for almost $4,000.
2013-14 Panini Flawless Giannis Antetokounmpo (Rookie Autographs)
This card is one of Giannis' rarest and includes his on-card autograph with gemstones embedded into the card. The base version has a diamond with only 20 copies available. There are ruby, sapphire, emerald, and platinum variations as well.
This card is the most expensive out of these three options in this section, selling for $10,500 in May 2020. Gold-themed and printed, this card earns its name, focusing on Antetokounmpo’s contributions to the team for the Bucks to rise again in the NBA.
Best Value Giannis Antetokounmpo Basketball Cards
While there is a variety of valuable Giannis Antetokounmpo basketball cards out there, let’s address a few more reasonably priced cards that are under $5,000. These are bold, interesting, and noticeable pieces that will likely continue to grow in worth. Antetokounmpo is likely to become more well-known in his basketball career, in turn raising the value of his collectibles.
So if you’re not looking to invest thousands upon thousands of dollars in a collection but still want to get one of the most valuable Giannis Antetokounmpo rookie cards, then this part is for you. We’ll briefly list some of the most affordable options and their features, all of which are currently available for purchase. They will still most likely become worth something in the future as Antetokounmpo continues along, thriving in future seasons as a historically talented player.
These cards aren’t as expensive but are unique with different designs, even though they may not have as many options as the previous cards. They still provide a general sense of what collectible cards bring to the table, including their unique styles intriguing to any purchaser. You can find others that are even less than these, but the following stood out the most.
2013 Panini Select Giannis Antetokounmpo Purple Prizm Rookie Jersey Autograph
This beautiful card features a vivid, sparkling, and purple design, featuring Antetokounmpo’s jersey, autograph, and picture. Additionally, it has the Bucks’ logo and possesses a horizontal layout.
The back is in the standard vertical orientation and contains a short biography while also featuring the same picture as the front. There are only 99 cards available to purchase, making this card a valuable and worthwhile pick.
2013 Panini Totally Certified Giannis Antetokounmpo (Rookie Roll Call Autograph)
This card has Milwaukee Bucks written all over it. A great chance to get into a Giannis rookie card without breaking the bank.
2013 Select Giannis Antetokounmpo Blue Prizm Draft Selections
This Blue Prizm could be a great investment, especially if it has not been graded yet. Most PSA 8's have sold in the $700-$800 range but PSA's population report shows zero PSA 10's in existence. If someone is able to get a PSA 10 grade, the card could be worth 5 figures +.
Antetokounmpo’s photograph on this card has a blue frame with a gold outline surrounding it. The front includes his name and the team, while the back focuses on the 2013 draft and the date he officially joined the Milwaukee team. With only 49 in existence, this card is rare and can still fetch a pretty penny.
2017 Panini Select Giannis Antetokounmpo (Gold Prizm)
This card continues the pattern of rating high, and the front features an action-packed photograph of Antetokounmpo dribbling down the court, with a patterned, metallic gold and purple background.
Because this is not a rookie card, it’s one of the least expensive cards in this section. This card is numbered 5/10, so it is likely to gain value as the years pass.
2013 Panini Crusade Blue Giannis Antetokounmpo
Last but not least, this Panini Crusade card is a solid pick, with a bright contrasting background of purple and yellow, and Antetokounmpo in motion on the court.
The front has his name, label, and team, while the back is dark and nearly foreboding but classy, enunciating the Bucks’ logo and a description of the player. This card went for under $1,000 and is one of the cards that would be expected to grow in value.
Conclusion
Hopefully, after reading this article, you have a better understanding of how valuable basketball players' cards can be. So regardless of whether you're interested in collecting now or in the future to support the Bucks, there is a huge selection of Antetokounmpo memorabilia that will only continue to become worth more as the years pass.
If the ones above didn’t strike your interest or were a bit out of your price range, feel free to do your own research before purchasing to find the card you love.
