Caitlin Clark is resetting the women's basketball card market

• Her first mainstream card, from Topp's 2022/23 Bowman U Chrome, came out in June 2023. I bought my first one for $9.65 on eBay and now have 12 of them in my 100+ card Clark collection.

Why it matters: Whether she's playing for Dowling or Iowa or the Indiana Fever, Clark is a true superstar in that everything she touches seems to explode in popularity — and sports cards are no exception.

• Her arrival in the WNBA has not only transformed the sport but also changed the entire women's basketball card market by causing prices to skyrocket.

Stunning stats: Those Bowman U Chrome cards sold for more than $50 each during last year's WNBA season.

• Another example: A box of Panini Prizm — one of the hobby's main products — from last year typically sells for around $250 or less.
• Last week, Panini released its 2024 WNBA version for $1,199.95 a box — and they sold out within a couple of hours.
• The latest NBA version, which hasn't been released yet, is expected to sell for almost $350 less than that.

Between the lines: If I were smart, I would've invested in autographed or rarer Clark cards. Most of my collection is worth $1, with the nicest cards in the $50-$75 range (though they could be worth a lot more if I sent them in to be graded).

• Compare that with a rare, autographed card that sold in December for $234,850 — by far the most expensive WNBA card ever — and that her more standard autograph cards regularly sell for four figures.
• I am biased, clearly, but am betting that her cards continue to increase in value.

The bottom line: I got into cards after my uncle passed away and handed down his collection. My Clarks will meet the same fate — I'll just need to make sure whoever inherits them has a way to thank Linh and Jason.

• For more insights and long-term investments, keep reading Axios DSM!