The NBA playoffs are heating up, and that has meant any current basketball product is experiencing unreal demand while the sports world's eyes are on the league. So far, there haven't been any standout performances that will go down in basketball history, but one name making a stronger impression is Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe.
Edgecombe entered the season overshadowed by Cooper Flagg, as well as Kon Knueppel after his emergence, but the talent was always there. You don't get picked third overall out of Baylor unless you can play. While he has shown his lack of experience at times during the Sixers' playoff run, his 30 point, 10 rebound game in Game 2 showcased his potential to take over games. He's a high flyer who could be a hobby darling, especially among captivated younger collectors. He may not be among the elite of the elite, but he certainly pops off the screen. That helps.
Since that performance, Edgecombe's card market has really begun to heat up. However, collectors have quickly discovered that the number of collecting options for Edgecombe lags well behind most of the other top rookies.
Lack of rookie autos is making VJ Edgecombe's card market very weird
Under normal circumstances, those in the hobby with the means would be scooping up rookie autos of a top rookie who had a big game to capitalize on the attention. However, Edgecombe doesn't really have many licensed rookie autos, and he hasn't signed much at all since Panini lost the NBA license.
As a result, the market for Edgecombe's non-auto rookie parallels has become very busy, and what few autos Edgecombe does have have been going for big money. If you just want Edgecombe's rookie refractor from 2025 Topps Chrome Basketball, it is going to cost you $35+ right now, when you could have gotten one for $15 less just a couple of months ago.
If you are feeling brave and want to get Edgecombe's Draft Night auto from 2025 Panini Instant (basically the same thing as Topps Now, if you didn't know), you are going to be paying well over a grand for one in a high grade. 2024-25 Panini Prizm Draft Picks also has autograph options, but they will still set you back several hundred for just a base copy
This is what the playoffs can do for any player's stock. While the price spikes are usually fleeting, being able to capitalize on the market is how a lot of collectors fund their habit. In Edgecombe’s case, his market is already on the rise, and if he can play a big role in keeping the Sixers' season alive in Game 6 and beyond, you can bet that his cards will shoot up even higher.
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