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Signed Giannis Antetokounmpo rookie card sells for more than $1.8 million, sets record

One NBA fan really wanted a special rookie card honoring the current reigning league MVP.

So much so, in fact, that they set a record in order to secure it.

A signed Giannis Antetokounmpo rookie card sold for $1.812 million at an auction on Sunday, according to TMZ Sports, making it the most expensive basketball card ever sold in modern history.

The card included a piece of a game-worn jersey from Antetokounmpo’s rookie season with the Milwaukee Bucks, too, something that undoubtedly added to its high price tag. The card earned a Mint 9 rating, per the report, meaning it was in near-perfect condition.

Antetokounmpo averaged 6.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game during his 2013-14 season, his first in the league after the Bucks took him with the No. 15 overall pick that year. The four-time All-Star earned the league’s MVP award for the second straight year this season.

How does Giannis’ rookie card sale compare?

Antetokounmpo’s rookie card narrowly beat out a rare version of a LeBron James rookie card that was sold in July.

James’ rookie card was signed and also included a patch from one of his jerseys, and was just one of 23 that were made. It also received a 9.5 grade, and was sold for a then-record $1.8 million at an auction.

The James card, according to Darren Rovell, was purchased by the same person who bought the Antetokounmpo card on Sunday.

Though those two prices are incredibly high, they don’t come close to the trading card record.

That honor goes to Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout — who had an autographed rookie card sell for $3.93 million at an auction last month. That card was given a 9.5 overall rating, too.

The Trout card broke a previous record set in 2016, when a fan purchased a 1909 Honus Wagner T-206 card for $3.12 million.

Milwaukee Bucks rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2013
A Giannis Antetokounmpo rookie card sold for more than $1.8 million on Sunday, a basketball card record. (AP/Alex Gallardo)

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