Victor Wembanyama may be the face of the San Antonio Spurs' resurgence-and one of the most sought-after names in the trading card world-but he’s not the only Spur turning heads among collectors this season. While Wemby’s towering presence and All-Star status speak for themselves, it’s his rookie teammate who’s quietly building a strong case as one of the most popular young stars in the hobby.
That teammate? Not De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs' other 2026 All-Star. It’s the reigning Rookie of the Year, Castle, whose 2024 Mosaic debut card has become one of the hottest commodities in the trading card market.
According to Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), Castle’s card ranks as the third-most collected among U.S. players this season. That’s no small feat for a 21-year-old still finding his footing in the league. Over 10,900 of Castle’s cards have been graded this year, placing him just behind some of the biggest names in the sport-and ahead of many others.
Here’s the breakdown: Among U.S.-based talent, Castle trails only Caitlin Clark, whose meteoric rise in the WNBA has led to over 28,600 cards graded, and Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks rookie forward whose one-and-done Duke card has generated over 23,800 graded submissions. Castle also finds himself in elite company with LeBron James (22,500+ cards graded) and Stephen Curry (14,100+), two all-time greats who still dominate both on the court and in the collector’s market.
Internationally, Wembanyama leads all non-U.S. players with over 23,700 cards graded-unsurprising, given his global appeal and generational upside. But Castle’s rapid rise in popularity suggests that fans and collectors alike see something special in the young guard out of UConn.
And it’s not just hype. Castle’s on-court production has backed it up.
In 44 games for a Spurs team that’s currently sitting at 38-16, Castle has emerged as a reliable two-way force. He’s averaging 16.5 points, 7.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per night, while shooting 46.4% from the field. His three-point shooting (28.8%) still leaves room for growth, but his ability to impact the game on both ends has already earned him serious respect around the league.
While he didn’t get the All-Star nod like Wembanyama and Fox, Castle’s name has been floated in conversations around All-Defensive Team honors. And if his current trajectory holds, it won’t be long before he’s a regular in the All-Star mix-and maybe even the All-NBA conversation.
Castle’s card popularity is more than a trend-it’s a reflection of belief. Belief in his potential.
Belief in his game. And belief that this Spurs backcourt, with Castle and Wembanyama leading the charge, could be something truly special for years to come.