Trending Caitlin Clark Rookie Card Guide
Caitlin Clark has ascended quickly becoming one of the biggest stars in all of basketball, and her trading cards are already highly sought after. While her official WNBA rookie cards just now starting to hit the market, collectors have several key options from before her pro debut. These pre-rookie cards (PRC) may not meet the traditional definition of a rookie card (RC) or rookie year card (RY), but they still hold significant value as they capture the earliest moments of her storied collegiate career.
Caitlin Clark Rookie Cards
2024 Panini Instant Draft Night Caitlin Clark #DN-1 (RY)
This is the very first card of Caitlin Clark with a professional WNBA jersey, released immediately after she was drafted first overall in April 2024. Exclusive to Panini's website, the print run was determined by how many cards were ordered, resulting in a staggering 45,316 copies sold.
Key Highlights:
- First official WNBA card of Caitlin Clark.
- Print run of 45,316, a record number for Panini Instant WNBA cards.
- Parallels available, adding extra layers for collectors.
2021 Sports Illustrated for Kids Caitlin Clark #997 (PRC)
The very first Caitlin Clark card came from the November/December 2021 issue of *Sports Illustrated for Kids*. The card, which appeared on a perforated sheet of nine in the magazine, is highly sought after by collectors. Clark’s card is located on the bottom-right corner of the sheet, which also features athletes like soccer player Brenden Aaronson.
Key Highlights:
- First Caitlin Clark card, appearing in *Sports Illustrated for Kids*.
- Difficult to find in mint condition due to poor-quality stock and handling.
- Represents a fun and rare entry into Clark’s pre-rookie card collection.
2022-23 Bowman Chrome University Basketball Caitlin Clark #50 (PRC)
This card, part of the 2022-23 Bowman Chrome University set, captures Clark during her dominant collegiate years at Iowa. Bowman Chrome’s robust history and reputation in sports cards make this a must-have, even if it’s a collegiate card rather than an official WNBA rookie card.
This card also comes with a full range of parallels, offering collectors numerous options to chase depending on rarity and budget. As the first major card of Caitlin Clark in a traditional hobby product, it’s an essential piece for any serious Clark collector.
Key Highlights:
- First major hobby card of Caitlin Clark.
- Part of the renowned Bowman Chrome brand, known for its collectible value.
- Comes with a large selection of parallels, offering rarity and variety.
2022-23 Bowman Chrome University Basketball Prospect Autographs Caitlin Clark #50 (PRC)
For those with a higher budget, this Caitlin Clark autographed card is likely the crown jewel of her pre-rookie releases. The “1st Bowman” Autographs line is highly regarded in the sports card world, particularly in baseball, but it’s also gaining traction in basketball, especially as NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals bring current collegiate athletes into the mainstream. Clark’s 1st Bowman Autograph is already considered a premium collectible, and it’s likely to hold strong even after her official WNBA rookie cards are released.
Key Highlights:
- First autographed Caitlin Clark card in a mainstream set.
- High demand due to the “1st Bowman” label and autograph.
- Likely to retain significant value even after her WNBA cards debut.
WNBA Cards Releasing Soon
As Caitlin Clark makes her transition to the WNBA, her official rookie cards will start hitting the market. These upcoming sets are expected to feature her true rookie cards (RC), and they will likely become some of the most desired cards in women’s basketball. Keep an eye on these key releases:
