Top Trae Young Rookie Cards to Collect
As one of the best young scorers in the NBA, Trae Young has been getting attention from collectors since his first year in the league. While the many Trae Young rookie cards are not quite at the top level, interest continues to build for the point guard.
Following one season with the Oklahoma Sooners, Trae Young joined the NBA as the fifth overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks as part of a draft-day trade involving Luka Doncic. The two battled for Rookie of the Year honors, with Doncic ultimately prevailing. Both were named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Collectors can find Trae Young rookie cards across the 2018-19 basketball sets. As Panini has the exclusive rights for NBA and NCAA cards, that's the only place to find his league-licensed cards.
If you are looking for some of the most in-demand Trae Young cards available to purchase right now, view his current auctions with the most bids on eBay.
The guide below highlights notable base rookies and rookie autographs for Young.
Top Trae Young Rookie Cards Base
Bolded sets go directly to detailed product profiles and checklists. Shop for cards or check completed values using the eBay links.
2018-19 Donruss Optic Rated Rookie Trae Young RC #198
Putting an Optichrome finish on Donruss, 2018-19 Donruss Optic is Prizm's slightly less popular cousin. For some, the Rated Rookie series is more appealing, especially the various parallels.
2018-19 NBA Hoops Trae Young RC #250
If you just want something that's inexpensive and easy to find, there's always 2018-19 NBA Hoops. The hardcourt background is hard to miss.
2018-19 Panini Crown Royale Trae Young RC #81
Featuring one of the most unique Trae Young rookie cards on the list, 2018-19 Crown Royale has a die-cut base card that is condition-sensitive.
On top of that, his Kaboom insert is very popular and valuable.
2018-19 Panini Flawless Trae Young RC #82 Diamond #/20
Moving well in the high-end realm, the 2018-19 Flawless NBA rookie card for Young has an embedded diamond and a print run of just 20 copies.
2018-19 Panini Prizm Trae Young RC #78
If you had to pick just one base rookie for Young, most collectors would turn to 2018-19 Prizm NBA. High-grade editions command a premium, as do the many, many parallels.
2018-19 Panini Select Trae Young RC #45 (Concourse), #142 (Premier Level), #249 (Courtside)
Those looking for a variety of choices can explore 2018-19 Select NBA. The three-tiered set contains three different rookie options. Concourse (#45) is the easiest to uncover and Courtside (#249) is the toughest. Each card comes in multiple parallels, as well.
Top Trae Young Rookie Cards Autographs
Next, we turn to the Trae Young rookie autographs. Like his base rookies, there are many choices. In general, collectors tend to opt for limited and/or on-card, but any authentic option is worth checking out.
2018-19 Donruss Optic Rated Rookie Signatures Trae Young RC #198
The hard-signed Rated Rookies Signatures card in 2018-19 Donruss Optic is a favorite. As with many of the signed cards for Young, the rare editions can push into the thousands.
2018-19 Panini Contenders Trae Young RC #142 Autograph
Rookie Ticket is another established subset and Young's arrives in 2018-19 Contenders NBA. His base version features a black-lined Hawks logo.
The pre-dunk image variation is further distinguished with the white-lined logo.
2018-19 Contenders Optic is another place to find similar Trae Young rookie autographs.
2018-19 Panini Crown Royale Trae Young RC #208 Autograph Jersey #/199
Home of the popular Silhouettes, 2018-19 Crown Royale offers a Trae Young rookie card with an on-card card autograph. These are a little more common given that many of his other hard-signed cards are capped at 99.
2018-19 Panini Immaculate Collection Trae Young RC #136 Autograph Patch #/99
Among the elite options for Young, 2018-19 Immaculate NBA features a limited RPA that boasts an on-card autograph, small patch and print run of just 99 copies.
2018-19 Panini Impeccable Elegance Trae Young RC #115 Autograph Patch #/99
It may not be viewed in the same light as National Treasures or Immaculate, but this 2018-19 Impeccable card is a standout rookie for Young. It matches NT and Immaculate in all aspects other than brand recognition.
2018-19 Panini National Treasures Trae Young RC #103 Autograph Patch #/99
As is normally the case, National Treasures is the most likely card you are grabbing if money is no object. And for the Trae Young rookie in 2018-19 National Treasures NBA, that amount of money is best described as lots.
2018-19 Panini Noir Trae Young RC #305 (B/W), #345 (color) Autograph Patch #/99
Issued in a black-and-white version (#305) and a full-color image edition (#345), 2018-19 Noir Basketball supplies a pair of notable RPA cards. While by no means cheap, these can be more affordable compared to the other high-end rookies. If you want a third Noir card, his Sneaker Spotlight autograph is very popular.
2018-19 Panini Prizm Trae Young RC #RS-TYG Autograph
And that brings us back around to 2018-19 Prizm NBA. The sticker autograph card is easier to locate, keeping prices somewhat in check.
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