Born in Lubbock, Texas, Rayford Trae Young had basketball in his blood from an early age. Rayford Young, Trae's father, played college basketball at Texas Tech for four seasons from 1996-2000. His father then later played professionally overseas in France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
Trae Young followed in his father's footsteps, becoming one of the most established Oklahoma high school basketball players of all time in just three seasons for Norman North High School in Norman, Oklahoma.
Young admired Steve Nash growing up and modeled his game after the Hall of Fame point guard. In Steve Nash's historic 18-year NBA career, he recorded 8.5 assists per game, whereas Trae Young is averaging 8.9 assists per game in his first three-plus seasons. While that may sound like a small sample size, in Nash's first four NBA seasons, he averaged 2.1, 3.4, 5.5, and 4.9 assists, respectively, compared to Young's 8.1, 9.3, 9.4, and 9.2 assists per game.
Steve Nash has the 4th most assists in league history with 10,335, and John Stockton has the most amidst 15,806, who averaged 10.5 assists in his NBA career. While Stockton's career 10.5 assists per game are more than Trae's pace of 8.9 assists, Stockton recorded 5.1, 7.4, 8.2 assists in his first three seasons before he repeatedly averaged double-digit assists for 10 straight seasons. While it may be preemptive to compare Trae Young to the most exquisite passers of all time, his first three-plus seasons demonstrate that if he keeps up his historic pace, he has the potential to become one of the NBA's all-time assists leaders.
Trae Young is already an NBA phenom who is one of the best point guards in the league. The fourth-year point guard for the Atlanta Hawks has only just begun and possesses unlimited potential for what he can accomplish both individually and for the Hawks franchise. Since Trae Young entered the league, collectors rave over the current and projected value of Trae Young's rookie cards. Having said that, let's unveil the top 15 best Trae Young rookie cards.
#15
2018 Panini Select Trae Young Rookie Signatures Neon Green Prizms RC #RS-TYG #'d/99
Recent sale: $5,995
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Trae Young launched his basketball career at Norman North High School in Norman, Oklahoma. After electing not to play in his freshman year, Trae Young joined the Norman North Timberwolves as a sophomore. In his 2014-15 sophomore season, Young averaged 25 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists to capture the Area Championship. As a result, Young was named Oklahoma's Sophomore of the Year.
This card highlights Trae Young's first of three rookie cards from 2018-19 Panini Select. The Rookie Signatures checklist presents 40 NBA rookies including base cards limited to 199 cards and various parallel cards featuring even more limited copies. Young's Rookie Signatures Neon Green Prizms rookie card is serial-numbered to 99 cards. To date, PSA has graded 29 cards, with 24 obtaining a PSA 10, while BGS has graded 27 cards, including four BGS 10's among one earning a BGS 10 Black Label. Overall, collectors have received a PSA or BGS 10 for Young's Neon Green Prizms rookie card amidst a 54% success rate.
Leading his team to capture the 2015 Area Championship and earning Oklahoma's Sophomore of the Year honors is no small feat, as his sophomore year at Normal North High School put Trae Young on the map. While the sale of this card highlights a PSA 10, one of Trae Young's Rookie Signatures Neon Green Prizms rookie cards earned a BGS 10 Black Label, ensuring unprecedented value should it surface on the secondary market.
#14
2018 Panini Flawless Collegiate Trae Young Base Gems RC #96 #'d/20
Recent sale: $6,000
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Trae Young guided Norman North High School to a 28-4 record in his junior year while recording 34.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. Young led the Timberwolves to capture the regional title and finish as the runner-up in the 2016 Oklahoma Class 6A championship game. Young achieved many accolades in his junior year, including but not limited to the 2016 Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year and the 2016 USA Today All-USA Oklahoma Player of the Year.
Trae Young's rookie card from 2018 Panini Flawless Collegiate was released on November 16, 2018, featuring NBA rookies, prevalent NBA stars, and retired NBA players. Panini Flawless Collegiate circulated one pack per hobby box containing 10 cards. Trae Young's 2018 Panini Flawless rookie card emerged from the Base Gems set and each card serial-numbered to 20 cards. Collectors have yet to submit Young's Base Gems rookie card to Beckett for grading and has a current PSA population of four cards. Two of Young's cards received a PSA 10, and the other two earned a PSA 9.
This may be the only appearance of Trae Young's rookie card from the 2018 Panini Flawless Collegiate set, though because it is limited to just 20 copies, Trae Young's Base Gems rookie card offers tremendous upside.
#13
2018 Panini Immaculate Collection Trae Young Premium Patch Autographs RC #PP-JST #'d/50
Recent sale: $6,325
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In his senior year at Norman North High School, Trae Young recorded 42.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game for the Timberwolves. As a result of his scoring prowess, Young earned a spot on the 2017 McDonald's All-American Team. At the conclusion of Young's high school career, bearing in mind he only played three years, he recorded 2,445 points, 268 rebounds, 365 assists, and 225 steals.
On October 4, 2019, Panini released the 2018-19 Immaculate Collection in one pack of six cards. Trae Young's rookie card is part of the Premium Patch Autographs checklist, serial-numbered to 50. Young's Premium Patch Autographs rookie card has a total population of 20 and is one of only four cards on the list that have yet to achieve a PSA or BGS 10.
Trae Young's senior year at Norman North High School was one of the most explosive seasons in Oklahoma high school basketball history. Despite playing only three seasons, Trae Young's 2,896 points rank him the 12th most points in Oklahoma high school basketball history. As a result, Trae Young became accepted as a top 20 high school basketball prospect. As his only rookie card from the highly coveted 2018-19 Panini Immaculate Collection, Trae Young's RPA remains in high demand.
#12
2018 Panini Donruss Trae Young Next Day Autographs RC #18
Recent sale: $6,349
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Heavily recruited by both Kansas University and the University of Oklahoma, Trae Young was rated a 5-star prospect, ranked as the 21st player in the country, and the number three overall point guard. In 2017, Trae Young committed to the Oklahoma Sooners on February 16, signed his letter of intent on April 12, and officially enrolled at the University of Oklahoma on June 1. Trae Young was often compared to Buddy Hield, who attended the University of Oklahoma just a few years prior. Hield spent four years as a member of the Sooners and captured the John R. Wooden Award as the nation's best player after his 2015-16 season.
Trae Young's rookie card from 2018-19 Panini Donruss illustrates his most valuable rookie card from the set. Young's rookie card emerges from the Next Day Autographs checklist, highlighting 40 players from the incoming class. Young's Next Day Autographs rookie card is not serial-numbered and features one of his highest populated rookie cards with 73 cards already graded. Though, only four cards, or 5% of collectors' cards, have received a PSA or BGS 10.
Before Trae young played a single minute for the Oklahoma Sooners, he was already being compared to the school's greatest players of all time, including Buddy Hield, Blake Griffin, and the late Wayman Tisdale. He ultimately lived up to the hype, and his Next Day Autographs rookie card has followed suit as one of the best Trae Young rookie cards.
#11
2018 Panini Flawless Trae Young Rookie Patch Autographs Gold RC #106 #'d/10
Recent sale: $6,950
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As expected, Trae Young exploded onto the college basketball scene. In his freshman year and only season at the University of Oklahoma, Young started every game, averaging 35.4 minutes per game. Through 32 games, Young averaged 27.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Trae Young's 2017-18 season was historic, becoming the first player in the history of Division I to lead the nation in both scoring and assists. As a result, Young was nominated to the All-American First Team and awarded the Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Year.
Arriving from 2018-19 Panini Flawless for the first of three times as the top Trae Young rookie cards is his Gold Rooke Patch Autographs card. Young's rookie card is one of 12 cards emphasized within the Rookie Autographs checklist. His treasured RPA is a Gold parallel, serial-numbered to only 10 copies.
Young's scoring average of 27.4 points per game is ranked the highest in Big 12 history, and his 8.7 assists per game are the second-most in Big 12 history and the highest for a freshman in Division I history. With that said, it would be an understatement to declare Young's 2018 Panini Flawless Gold RPA worthy.
#10
2018 Panini Obsidian Trae Young Rookie Jersey Autographs Electric Etch Yellow RC #RJ-TYG #'d/10
Recent sale: $7,000
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After becoming the first Division I basketball player of a major conference to record 800 points and 250 assists in a single season, Trae Young waived his final three years of eligibility and declared for the 2018 NBA Draft. At the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018, at the Barclays Center, the Dallas Mavericks selected Trae Young as the 5th overall pick, though he was promptly traded to the Atlanta Hawks for Luka Doncic and a 2019 first-round pick.
Panini issued 2018-19 Obsidian on August 29, 2019, containing Trae Young's Rookie Jersey Autographs card as the most coveted example from the set. Young's Rookie Jersey Autographs rookie card is a Yellow Electric Etch parallel card, serial-numbered to 10. Like Young's 2018 Panini Flawless Gold RPA, his Yellow Electric Etch parallel is his most limited rookie card. To date, only three cards have been graded, with the highest graded accepting a BGS 9.5.
The notable trade during the 2018 NBA Draft will forever be commemorated as both players have already established themselves as NBA superstars. If Trae Young continues his high level of play, his Yellow Electric Etch parallel card from 2018-19 Panini Obsidian, tied for his most limited rookie card, has unparalleled value.
#9
2018 Panini National Treasures Trae Young Clutch Factor Signatures Prime RC #CF-TYG #'d/25
Recent sale: $7,400
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In the 2018-19 NBA Summer League, Trae Young played in seven games while averaging 15.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 5.71 assists per game over 27 minutes of action. He then followed up the Summer League in the 2018-19 NBA Preseason. Through 24.5 minutes, Young averaged 15 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over five games. Trae Young later made his NBA debut for the Atlanta Hawks on October 17, 2018. In Young's first career game, he scored 14 points, added six rebounds, and recorded five assists.
The first appearance of Trae Young's rookie card from 2018 Panini National Treasures is his 9th most valuable card. However, the next occurrence of 2018 Panini National Treasures highlights Trae Young's most valuable rookie card. Panini's Clutch Factor Signatures has a 50-card checklist depicting NBA rookies, NBA legends, and everything in between. Trae Young's Clutch Factor Signatures rookie card is a Prime parallel, serial-numbered to 25 cards. Collectors have submitted 12 cards overall to PSA and BGS, including just one card, or 8% obtaining a PSA or BGS 10.
Since Trae Young's NBA debut, he has started every game for the Atlanta Hawks, solidifying himself as the face of the franchise. As a result of Trae Young's Clutch Factor Signatures rookie card being both limited and condition-sensitive, the fourth-year phenom's rookie card from 2018 Panini National Treasures is coveted by collectors.
#8
2018 Panini Select Trae Young Zebra Prizms RC #142
Recent sale: $8,000
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Trae Young followed up his NBA debut with 20 points, two rebounds, and nine assists, just shy of his first double-double. The following game, Trae Young went off for 35 points on 13 of 23 shooting, including 6 of 14 beyond the arc, while registering 11 assists to notch his first career double-double in his third NBA contest. In the first month of his NBA career, Young averaged 19.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists to earn the 2018-19 NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.
Making its second of third appearance on the top 15 Best Trae Young rookie cards is the 2018 Panini Select set. The Premier Level checklist features 100 cards, with Trae Young's rookie card a Zebra Prizm parallel. Trae Young's Zebra Prizm parallel card from 2018-19 Panini Select has a total PSA and BGS population of 30, with 17 cards obtaining a PSA or BGS 10. As collectors have obtained a PSA or BGS 10 at 57% of the time, Young's Zebra Prizm rookie card highlights his least condition-sensitive rookie cards on the list.
While the Atlanta Hawks were slow out of the gate in Young's rookie season, holding a 4-16 record through their first 20 games, collectors already valued Trae Young's rookie cards due to his impression on the court. As such, the value of Trae Young's Zebra Prizms rookie card has steadily increased.
#7
2018 Panini Flawless Trae Young Base RC #82 #'d/20
Recent sale: $8,200
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After earning Rookie of the Month honors, Trae Young slightly cooled off, causing many critics to believe that the Dallas Mavericks got the best out of the Luka Doncic trade. However, Trae Young was neck and neck with Doncic all season, with Luka earning NBA's Western Conference Rookie of the Month five times to Trae Young's NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month four times. While Luka ultimately captured the 2018-19 NBA Rookie of the Year award, Trae Young wasn't far behind.
Since Panini released 2018-19 Panini Flawless on November 8, 2019, the set has remained one of the most coveted sets in recent memory. All 100 cards from the 2018 Panini Flawless Base Gems checklist are limited to 20 cards or less. As such, Trae Young's Base Gems rookie card is serial-numbered to 20 and has a current population of six. Up until now, only one Trae Young Base Gems rookie card received a PSA 10, illustrated by the sale of this card.
Trae Young started all 81 games for the Atlanta Hawks in his rookie season, averaging 19.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game. His 8.1 assists per contest ranked him 1st among NBA rookies and 4th in the NBA overall. Young's rookie season was remarkable, to say the least, and his rookie cards, especially his Base Gems rookie card followed suit.
#6
2018 Panini Select Trae Young Zebra Prizms RC #249
Recent sale: $9,388
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Expectations were sky-high for Trae Young heading into his sophomore campaign, and for a good reason. In the first month of the season, Trae Young averaged 26.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. While the month only features four contests, he increased his level of play over his next 15 games in November, totaling 28.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 8.7 assists. Trae Young was snubbed of an All-Star selection despite averaging 29.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 9.2 assists before the All-Star break.
Young's third and final appearance from 2018 Panini Select is also a Zebra Prizms card, though exhibited in the Base Courtside checklist. However, Trae Young's Base Courtside Zebra Prizm offers much lower condition sensitivity, highlighted by 35% of cards earning a PSA or BGS 10 versus the 57% of the Premier Level checklist.
In Trae Young's 2019-20 sophomore campaign, he became the 5th NBA player ever to record at least 29 points and 9.0 assists for the season. The other players were Oscar Robertson, Tiny Archibald, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. To be mentioned in that company means Trae Young's season was off the charts. How Young didn't earn an All-Star selection or any votes for league MVP is a mystery, though Trae Young's Base Courtside Zebra Prizm rookie card flourished.
#5
2018 Panini Crown Royale Trae Young Kaboom! RC #25
Recent sale: $9,900
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Young's 29.6 points in his sophomore season were the most for a second-year NBA player since Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo averaged 30.6 points in the 1973-74 season. With 560 assists in the 2019-20 season, he became the first player since Norm Van Lier (1969-71) to lead a conference in assists in his first two NBA seasons.
The only appearance of 2018-19 Panini Crown Royale displays Trae Young's Kaboom! rookie card. The Kaboom! insert has a 25-player checklist featuring current NBA superstars and rookies. Young's Kaboom! rookie card is not serial-numbered and features one of the highest populations on the list. With 50 cards graded between PSA and BGS, only six cards, or 12%, obtained the ultimate grade. The sale of Trae Young's Kaboom! rookie card from 2018-10 Panini Crown Royale earned a PSA 10, signifying only five other cards hold the same coveted grade.
Young's incredible sophomore campaign had him ranked among the league leaders with 29.6 points (4th), 9.3 assists (2nd), 3.4 three-pointers (6th). Despite not being serial-numbered and enduring middle of the road condition-sensitivity, his Kaboom! rookie insert is one of the top Trae Young rookie cards.
#4
2018 Panini Opulence Trae Young Rookie Patch Autograph RC #134 #'d/79
Recent sale: $9,995
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Trae Young's 2020-21 NBA season finally earned him the recognition he deserved. After averaging 26.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 9.4 assists, Young was selected as a starter for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. In the All-Star Game, Trae Young recorded the only double-double with 10 points and 10 assists in just 16 minutes of play. Trae Young finished his third NBA season showcasing a final stat line of 25.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 9.4 assists. His 9.4 assists set a career-high and ranked him with the 2nd most assists in the league, behind only Russell Westbrook's 11.7 tally.
Like 2018 Panini Crown Royale, Trae Young's rookie card from 2018 Panini Opulence also makes just one appearance. Panini released 2018-19 Panini Opulence on July 19, 2019, containing one pack of eight cards. Trae Young's rookie card from 2018 Panini Opulence emerges from the Rookie Patch Autographs checklist, featuring 25 players. Trae Young's Rookie Patch Autographs rookie card is serial-numbered to 79 and is one of the set's highlights. As of today, 21 cards have been analyzed by PSA and BGS, yet none have earned a PSA or BGS 10, featuring the highest card possessing a BGS 9.5.
Trae Young was deserving of an All-Star nod in both his rookie and sophomore seasons, though he finally earned the nod in his third season. Trae Young proved he belonged during the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, with collectors quickly grasping possession of his 2018-19 Panini Opulence RPA.
#3
2018 Panini Flawless Trae Young Horizontal Patch Auto RC #HP-TYG #'d/15
Recent sale: $14,600
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In the 2020-21 NBA season, Trae Young led the Atlanta Hawks to a 41-31 record, registering the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference and earning their first playoff bid since the 2016-17 season. In Trae Young's NBA playoff debut versus the New York Knicks, Young totaled 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists, becoming the 4th player in NBA history to reach 30-10 in his postseason debut. At the same time, he became the second player in NBA history to record 30-5-10 in their postseason debut, along with LeBron James.
Trae Young's third most valuable rookie card emerged from 2018-19 Panini Flawless, which features the third and final Trae Young rookie card from the iconic set. Young's Horizontal Patch Autograph is one of 44 NBA players shown in the checklist. Young's Horizontal RPA is one of his most limited rookie cards, serial-numbered to 15 cards. Trae Young's Horizontal RPA has a total population of 10, with only one card obtaining a PSA 10. The sale of this card reveals a BGS 9, signifying that 33% of Young's Horizontal RPA has received a higher grade.
Young averaged 28.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in the Atlanta Hawks postseason run past the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers while earning an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals versus the eventual NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks. While we knew of his astonishing regular-season play, his first postseason appearance was a thing of beauty, solidifying the price of Trae Young's Horizontal rookie card from the iconic 2018-19 Panini Flawless set.
#2
2018 Panini Prizm Trae Young Prizms White Sparkle RC #78
Recent sale: $29,500
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Now in his 4th NBA season, Trae Young has cemented himself as one of the best point guards in the league. In his first game of the 2021-22 NBA season, Trae Young continued right where he left off, recording 19 points, 2 rebounds, and 14 assists to defeat Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks by a whopping 26 points.
Panini issued the 2018 Panini Prizm set on November 21, 2018, featuring the only Trae Young card from the set on the list. Trae Young's White Sparkle rookie card emerged as a Panini Direct Prizms card, which collectors could only acquire online. Trae Young's White Sparkle Prizm rookie card has a total PSA and BGS population of 33, highlighting 13 PSA 10's, while Beckett awarded the highest card with a BGS 9.5.
Trae Young started his 4th NBA season on a solid note, outplaying Luka Doncic, whom he is forever linked with due to the remarkable trade during the 2018 NBA Draft. While Trae Young's White Sparkle Prizm rookie card doesn't feature a serial number, it remains one of his most sought-after rookie cards.
#1
2018 Panini National Treasures Trae Young Rookie Patch Autograph RC #103 #'d/99
Recent sale: $50,655
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After his 2021-22 season debut, Trae Young continued his high level of play. Through the first 15 games of the 2021-22 NBA season, Young is averaging 25.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 9.1 assists, embracing the highlight of his season so far occurring on November 14, 2021, versus the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. Trae Young recorded a season-high 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists on 16 of 26 shooing, including 8 of 13 beyond the arc to defeat the Bucks by a 20-point margin.
Trae Young's most valuable rookie card emerges from the 2018-19 Panini National Treasures set. Young's card appears from the Rookie Patch Autographs checklist, and each card limited to 99 cards or less. With that said, Young's Rookie Patch Autograph card is serial-numbered to 99 cards. To date, 83 cards have been graded by PSA and BGS, with just two cards, roughly 2% achieving the ultimate grade.
The Atlanta Hawks validated Trae Young as the face of the franchise, highlighted by his five-year $207 million contract he received in the offseason. This particular card's sale is for a BGS 9.5, signifying that Trae Young's RPA from 2018-19 Panini National Treasures has significantly more value should a PSA or BGS 10 surface.
Will Trae Young Record the Most Assists in NBA History?
Trae Young's journey to NBA stardom is an engaging story. From not competing in his freshman year in high school to quickly breaking Oklahoma high school basketball records and becoming a 5-star prospect in the process. Trae was then heavily recruited by Kansas University, one of the most commendable college basketball programs in the country, before choosing the University of Oklahoma and becoming one of the best players in program history. Trae Young then fought off critics who mentioned the Atlanta Hawks lost the Luka Doncic trade during the 2018 NBA Draft before soon becoming one of the most proficient point guards in the league along the way.
Through three-plus NBA seasons, Trae Young continues to turn heads on a nightly basis for the Atlanta Hawks. We earlier made the comparison between Trae Young and the two of the best passers of all time in John Stockton and Steve Nash, and firmly believe Trae Young's presence on the court places him in the same company. As such, Trae Young's rookie cards from the 2018-19 NBA season are highly coveted and remain one of the most desirable assets for collectors for years to come.
