Not everyone has $500 to drop on a Victor Wembanyama Silver Prizm. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find cards with explosive upside.
The truth? Some of the best returns in the hobby come from buying smart at the low end. A player goes from bench rotation to All-Star, and suddenly that $15 rookie you bought is worth $150.
This roundup highlights 10 basketball cards under $20 with legitimate 10x potential. These aren’t lottery tickets — they’re calculated bets on young talent primed to break out.
What Makes a Card a “10x Candidate”?
Before we dive in, here’s what we’re looking for:
- Young players (rookies or second-year players)
- Clear path to increased role (injury to starter, rebuild mode, coaching change)
- Strong underlying stats (advanced metrics that suggest future breakout)
- Undervalued market (cards haven’t caught up to on-court performance)
- Team context (playing for a winning team or big-market franchise)
We’re hunting cards in the $10-20 range that could hit $100-200 with one strong season.
1. Cason Wallace — 2023-24 Prizm Base ($12)
Why He’s Undervalued: Wallace was buried behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams in Oklahoma City’s rotation as a rookie, but his defense is elite. OKC loves him, and he’s getting rotation minutes on a championship contender.
The Breakout Path: If OKC trades a guard or Wallace earns starter minutes, his counting stats will spike. Defensive Player of the Year narrative + playoff exposure = card explosion.
Current Price: ~$12 (raw base Prizm)
10x Target: $120+ if he becomes a starter
Buy: Cason Wallace 2023 Prizm Base
2. Brandin Podziemski — 2023-24 Prizm Base ($15)
Why He’s Undervalued: Podziemski showed serious flashes as a rookie with Golden State, but Curry’s presence limits his ceiling in the short term. The market is sleeping on his upside post-Curry era.
The Breakout Path: If Golden State trades a guard or Curry retires/declines, Podziemski is the heir apparent. He can shoot, pass, and defend — everything you want in a modern guard.
Current Price: ~$15 (raw base Prizm)
10x Target: $150+ if he becomes the Warriors’ starting PG
Buy: Brandin Podziemski 2023 Prizm Base
3. Ausar Thompson — 2023-24 Prizm Base ($10)
Why He’s Undervalued: Thompson’s rookie year was solid but unspectacular. Detroit is rebuilding, and he hasn’t had the usage to show his full skillset. His defensive upside is massive.
The Breakout Path: If Detroit gives him the ball more (likely as Cade Cunningham’s wingman), Thompson’s athleticism and defense could make him a future All-Defense candidate. That’s when the market wakes up.
Current Price: ~$10 (raw base Prizm)
10x Target: $100+ with All-Defense buzz
Buy: Ausar Thompson 2023 Prizm Base
4. Keyonte George — 2023-24 Prizm Base ($14)
Why He’s Undervalued: George plays for Utah, a small market with low national attention. His rookie year stats were solid but unspectacular, so the market hasn’t caught up.
The Breakout Path: Utah is rebuilding around young talent, and George has the green light to shoot. If his efficiency improves and he becomes a 20+ PPG scorer, the market will notice.
Current Price: ~$14 (raw base Prizm)
10x Target: $140+ if he averages 20+ PPG
Buy: Keyonte George 2023 Prizm Base
5. Jaime Jaquez Jr. — 2023-24 Prizm Base ($18)
Why He’s Undervalued: Jaquez had a strong rookie year with Miami, but he’s not a flashy dunker or high-volume scorer. The market undervalues glue guys.
The Breakout Path: Miami loves Jaquez’s toughness and versatility. If he becomes a 15+ PPG scorer on a playoff team, the narrative shifts. Miami’s winning culture amplifies card values.
Current Price: ~$18 (raw base Prizm)
10x Target: $180+ with playoff breakout
Buy: Jaime Jaquez Jr. 2023 Prizm Base
6. GG Jackson — 2023-24 Prizm Base ($8)
Why He’s Undervalued: Jackson was the youngest player in the NBA as a rookie and barely played. The market has written him off.
The Breakout Path: Memphis loves Jackson’s shooting and athleticism. If he carves out a rotation role (likely as Memphis rebuilds), he could become a productive scorer. Age-based upside is real.
Current Price: ~$8 (raw base Prizm)
10x Target: $80+ if he becomes a starter
Buy: GG Jackson 2023 Prizm Base
7. Dereck Lively II — 2023-24 Prizm Base ($16)
Why He’s Undervalued: Lively is a defensive-minded center on a team with Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. He won’t put up massive stats, but his role is critical to Dallas.
The Breakout Path: If Lively becomes a Defensive Player of the Year candidate (he has the tools), the market will pay up. Defensive anchors on championship teams get love.
Current Price: ~$16 (raw base Prizm)
10x Target: $160+ with All-Defense selection
Buy: Dereck Lively II 2023 Prizm Base
8. Bilal Coulibaly — 2023-24 Prizm Base ($12)
Why He’s Undervalued: Coulibaly plays for Washington, a team no one watches. His rookie year was rough offensively, but his defense and athleticism are elite.
The Breakout Path: If Coulibaly’s shooting improves (he’s young, it’s possible), he could become a Kawhi Leonard-lite. Washington is rebuilding, so he’ll get every opportunity.
Current Price: ~$12 (raw base Prizm)
10x Target: $120+ with offensive improvement
Buy: Bilal Coulibaly 2023 Prizm Base
9. Jalen Hood-Schifino — 2023-24 Prizm Base ($7)
Why He’s Undervalued: Hood-Schifino barely played as a rookie with the Lakers. Injuries and G League stints tanked his rookie card market.
The Breakout Path: If he earns rotation minutes with the Lakers (or gets traded to a rebuilding team), his upside is real. Lakers + breakout = massive card bump.
Current Price: ~$7 (raw base Prizm)
10x Target: $70+ with rotation role
Buy: Jalen Hood-Schifino 2023 Prizm Base
10. Jordan Hawkins — 2023-24 Prizm Base ($13)
Why He’s Undervalued: Hawkins is a sharpshooter buried on New Orleans’ bench. Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum dominate touches.
The Breakout Path: If New Orleans trades a guard or Hawkins becomes a starter, his 3-point shooting will shine. Shooters always have value in today’s NBA.
Current Price: ~$13 (raw base Prizm)
10x Target: $130+ with starter role
Buy: Jordan Hawkins 2023 Prizm Base
The Strategy: How to Buy Smart
1. Buy Raw, Not Graded
At this price point, graded cards are overpriced. Buy raw base Prizm cards in near-mint condition. If they break out, then get them graded.
2. Buy in Bulk
Don’t put all $100 into one card. Buy 5-10 different picks at $10-20 each. One breakout pays for the whole lot.
3. Be Patient
These aren’t instant 10x plays. You’re betting on Year 2-3 breakouts. Hold through summer slumps and injury scares.
4. Watch Minutes, Not Stats
Players who get minutes improve. Track rotations, not box scores. Minutes = opportunity.
5. Sell Into Hype
If one of these players goes nuclear (All-Star selection, playoff MVP buzz), sell. Take profits. Don’t get greedy.
Risk Disclaimer
Let’s be real: most of these cards won’t 10x.
Some will bust. Some will plateau. Some will get injured. That’s the game.
But if one of these players becomes a star, it pays for the entire portfolio. That’s the beauty of low-cost, high-upside plays.
How to Buy
Check recent sold listings on eBay for current market prices:
- eBay sold listings — See what raw cards actually sold for
- COMC — Good for bulk buying
- Card shows — Negotiate deals on raw rookies
- Blaster boxes — Rip 2023-24 Prizm blasters and pull your own
Final Thoughts
The best returns in the hobby don’t come from buying the most expensive cards — they come from buying the right cards at the right time.
These 10 picks under $20 offer legitimate 10x upside with the right breaks. They’re not guaranteed winners, but they’re calculated bets on young talent with clear paths to increased roles.
The market is sleeping. You’re awake. Now go buy.
Want more picks? Check out our most valuable basketball cards 2026 and underrated cards to buy now.