2024 Panini Select WNBA Basketball Release: What You Need to Know

The 2024 Panini Select WNBA Basketball set has quickly become a highlight for collectors and fans alike, offering a fresh take on women’s basketball trading cards. As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, Panini's 2024 release provides a great way for collectors to celebrate the league's rising stars and legendary icons. Let’s dive into what makes this year's release special and why it’s a must-have for your collection.

Overview of the 2024 Panini Select WNBA Set

Panini's Select line is known for its high-quality designs, sleek finishes, and desirable inserts. The 2024 WNBA edition follows in that tradition with vibrant, premium-looking cards that will stand out in any collection. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:

• Release Date: The set is expected to hit stores in the final quarter of 2024, generating excitement just in time for holiday shopping and the WNBA offseason.

• Base Set: The 2024 Panini Select WNBA base set features 200 cards, highlighting current superstars, rising talent, and WNBA legends. Expect to see familiar faces like Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, and rising sensation Aliyah Boston, alongside established icons like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi.

• Parallel Cards: Collectors can chase a variety of parallels, each with different levels of rarity. The traditional Select product rainbow includes:

  • Silver Prizms: Featuring a sleek chrome finish, Silver Prizms are always a fan favorite.

  • Disco and Pulsar Parallels: Eye-catching designs that bring an extra pop of color and shine.

  • Tie-Dye, Zebra, and Gold Variants: The Tie-Dye parallels are highly sought-after with a limited print run. Zebra and Gold (numbered to 10) versions are also coveted for their extreme rarity and unique aesthetics.

• Inserts: This year's Panini Select WNBA features several insert sets designed to celebrate standout performances and unique storylines in the league:

  • Select Future: Featuring the top rookies and younger players poised to dominate the league in the future.

  • Phenomenon: Celebrating dynamic, game-changing players with action-packed designs.

  • Snapshots: Capturing iconic moments of the season with dynamic photography, giving collectors a chance to relive great on-court performances.

• Autographs: One of the most exciting aspects of the 2024 Panini Select WNBA release is the inclusion of on-card autographs. Collectors can chase signatures from WNBA legends, current stars, and exciting rookies. Look out for limited edition versions like the Gold and Black Prizm Autographs (numbered to 10 or fewer) for that added rarity.

Why the 2024 Panini Select WNBA Set Stands Out

1. Growing Demand for WNBA Cards
   With more attention on women’s sports than ever before, the demand for WNBA trading cards has surged in recent years. Panini Select’s combination of premium designs and limited parallels makes it the ideal set for seasoned collectors and new hobbyists alike. With more collectors entering the market, expect the 2024 Panini Select WNBA cards to hold their value and become increasingly desirable.

2. Rookie Cards
   2024 has brought an exciting wave of young talent into the WNBA, and this set is packed with rookie cards that will be highly sought after in the coming years. Keep an eye out for rookie cards of players like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, both of whom are expected to make a massive impact as they enter the league.

3. Chase for Parallels and Inserts
   Panini Select is known for its array of parallels and inserts, giving collectors a thrilling hunt with each box. The ability to pull ultra-rare cards like the Zebra or Gold parallels adds a layer of excitement, while inserts like "Select Future" and "Phenomenon" bring unique storytelling to the hobby.

4. Autographed Memorabilia
   For autograph collectors, the on-card signatures add another layer of prestige to the product. Whether you’re chasing signatures from legends like Sue Bird, or from breakout stars like Sabrina Ionescu, these autographed cards will be some of the most desirable in the set.

Breaking Down the Box: What to Expect

For collectors eager to rip open a box of 2024 Panini Select WNBA, here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from different configurations:

• Hobby Box: Typically, a Hobby Box will contain 12 packs with 5 cards per pack, with at least 3 autograph or memorabilia cards per box. You’ll also find numerous parallels and several insert sets, giving you plenty of variety and excitement.

• Retail Options: Panini often offers retail versions with exclusive parallels (such as Green Pulsar Prizms) that can only be found in retail boxes. While retail boxes generally contain fewer autograph cards, they’re a more affordable way to dive into the collection.

Final Thoughts

The 2024 Panini Select WNBA Basketball release is a must-have for any fan or collector of women’s basketball. Its combination of premium cards, rare parallels, and autographed inserts makes it one of the most exciting releases of the year. With the growing attention on the WNBA and its players, this set will surely capture the hearts of collectors around the world.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector looking for the next big hit or a WNBA fan wanting to celebrate your favorite players, the 2024 Panini Select set offers a little something for everyone. Make sure to secure your boxes early – this release is bound to fly off the shelves!