2 weeks Ago By Mantel
Our sole house phone rang. It was my friend Greg, “Turn on ESPN. Now.
You still have those old Sports Illustrated for Kids mags, right?” I flipped through channels and caught the tail end of a segment on Tiger Woods’ rookie card—one not from Upper Deck or Topps, but from a perforated magazine insert. It had just sold at auction for $125,000. If you grew up in the ’90s, Sports Illustrated for Kids cards were more than just collectibles—they were a cultural touchstone.
Torn from their perforated sheets with varying degrees of patience, carelessly shoved into backpacks, lockers, and drawers, most cards barely survived adolescence. Those that did were rarely "mint" in any meaningful sense; perfect centering and crisp edges remain mythical. And that elusive PSA 10? Nearly impossible.
These cards were never meant to survive intact. Still, the beauty of SI for Kids (SIFK) cards lies in what they represent. Launched in 1989, they gave collectors a first look at future icons—Tiger, Serena, LeBron, Tony Hawk, Simone Biles—often before the rest of the world knew who they were.
Many were athletes in sports that had no mainstream card sets. Some were still in high school. Still thriving today, these cards have evolved into coveted gems , igniting bidding wars and frantic hunts for that impossible PSA 10.
Here, according to my totally unscientific but passionately argued ranking, are the top SI for Kids cards ever printed. S Tier - Important Pieces or Sport History Tiger Woods Rookie 1996 Sports Illustrated for Kids II #536 The most important and culturally significant SI For Kids card by a large margin. Before Tiger was a golfing legend, he was immortalized as a teenage prodigy in the pages of SI Kids.
Recognized today as one of the hobby’s most influential modern sports cards, Woods' SI Kids rookie remains highly sought after by collectors due to its rarity, historical significance, and condition sensitivity. Only 22 PSA 10 examples of this card exist. Often viewed as the card that elevated SI for Kids inserts into mainstream collecting, Tiger's 1996 rookie remains the benchmark for all other SI Kids cards.
Buy on eBay Serena Williams Rookie 1999 Sports Illustrated for Kids #814 Before Serena Williams redefined women's tennis—and women's sports overall—her first-ever sports card appeared in the pages of Sports Illustrated for Kids. Released in 1999, this card quietly captured Serena at the very beginning of a groundbreaking career, just months before she won her first Grand Slam singles title at the U.S.
Open. Today, it's recognized not only as her true rookie card, but also as an important milestone in sports collectibles, symbolizing the growth and recognition of women's athletics on a global stage. Serena Williams and Tiger Woods sit atop the SI For Kids Mount Everest as the two most important SI for kids cards to exist.
The rarity and condition sensitivity of this card add to its significance, as only 9 PSA 10s have ever been graded, making them extremely sought after by tennis enthusiasts, serious collectors and, most notably, her husband. Buy on eBay A Tier - An essential part of collectible culture—and your portfolio. Venus Williams Rookie 1998 Sports Illustrated for Kids #686 Released a year prior to Serena’s rookie, Venus' first card offers collectors an opportunity to own a foundational piece of tennis history.
As one of the many examples of SIFK Cards without at PSA 10, Venus Williams' rookie has become a highly sought-after piece in the hobby with many collectors still trying for that elusive perfect tear . Buy on eBay Kobe Bryant Rookie 1997 Sports Illustrated for Kids #59 This early depiction of Kobe captures him just as his NBA stardom began to skyrocket. This card is unique in that it didn’t come as part of the 9 card tear out page, but as a 4 card insert near the back of the magazine, often overlooked by anyone who had the magazine as a kid.
An iconic card commemorating one of basketball's greatest legends, Kobe’s SI Kids rookie remains a beloved card for collectors across generations. Buy on eBay Mia Hamm Rookie 1992 Sports Illustrated for Kids #71 Mia Hamm's groundbreaking presence in women's soccer was first commemorated in her 1992 SI for Kids rookie card. A PSA 10 sale of Mia’s SI for Kids rookie sold for $34.
4k in 2021, making it the highest sale of a women’s card at that time. No other women’s soccer card has come close. The card's release in 1992 represented a milestone moment, showcasing women's soccer stars in mainstream media, and today, it remains a highly coveted symbol of women's sports history.
Buy on eBay Tony Hawk 1990 Sports Illustrated Sports Illustrated for Kids #152 Tony Hawk, widely recognized as the most influential skateboarder of all time, received his first-ever card in the pages of Sports Illustrated for Kids in 1990. At a time when skateboarding was still largely underground and rarely acknowledged by mainstream sports media, Hawk’s SI Kids rookie card was groundbreaking. This card was one of the earliest moments skateboarding was featured alongside traditional sports, symbolizing skating’s emerging acceptance and popularity.
For collectors and skateboarding enthusiasts alike, Tony Hawk’s SI Kids card remains a sought-after piece, marking the sport's initial leap into mainstream culture. Buy on eBay Lewis Hamilton Rookie 2009 Sports Illustrated for Kids #360 Lewis Hamilton's SI Kids rookie came out in 2009, way before Formula 1 cards exploded onto the global collecting scene. Back then, Hamilton was still climbing the ranks, fresh off his early career triumphs in GP2.
Today, with F1 cards hotter than ever, this card stands out as a hidden gem—capturing a moment just before Lewis became the sport's biggest superstar. It's a perfect reflection of Hamilton’s rise and the growing passion fans have for Formula 1 collectibles. Buy on eBay Michael Phelps Rookie 2004 Sports Illustrated for Kids #360 Long before Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian of all time, his potential was spotlighted in this 2004 SI for Kids card.
Capturing Phelps in his early years, this card is a testament to the beginnings of a historic swimming career. Buy on eBay B Tier - Emerging cultural collectibles primed for investment growth Victor Wembanyama Rookie 2023 Sports Illustrated for Kids #1053 Before his Prizm rookie broke grading records, there was Wemby’s SI for Kids card. This was officially Victor Wembanyama’s 1st ever “official” card.
The hype around "Wemby," the generational NBA prospect from France, began well before his NBA draft, making his first SI Kids card a speculative gem. This card suffered from being at the top of the magazine, leading it to have problems with the edges as well as centering issues as a result of poor printing. Of the more than 1,800 PSA-graded examples of this card, not a single one has earned a PSA 10.
Buy on eBay Paige Bueckers Rookie 2021 Sports Illustrated for Kids #963 3 years before her 2024 Bowman University 1st Bowman, Paige appeared in the pages of Sports Illustrated Magazine following her Freshman year at UConn. Currently one of college basketball's biggest stars and the projected top pick in this year’s WNBA draft, this card is an incredible pickup for Paige collectors and UConn fans. Buy on eBay Caitlin Clark Rookie 2021 Sports Illustrated for Kids #997 Caitlin Clark became the breakout star of NCAA basketball (and now the WNBA), making her rookie card in SI Kids an instant classic.
For collectors betting on her future legacy, now is the time to grab this pivotal piece of women's basketball history. With only 1 PSA 9 and and zero PSA 10s, this card is extremely hard to find in a high grade. Buy on eBay Naomi Osaka Rookie 2018 Sports Illustrated for Kids #779 Two years before her meteoric rise to global superstardom, Naomi Osaka made her card debut in the pages of Sports Illustrated for Kids.
Capturing the early moments of Osaka's groundbreaking career, this card commemorates the journey of one of tennis's most impactful athletes and a cultural icon who transcends sports. Currently only 1 PSA 10 exists, and it’s listed on eBay for $15,000. Buy on eBay Scottie Scheffler Rookie 2017 Sports Illustrated for Kids #640 Golf collectors have a soft spot for SI For Kids rookies for the obvious reason.
Before ascending to the top ranks of professional golf, Scottie Scheffler was featured in the 2017 SI for Kids magazine. This card captures the early promise of a golfer who would go on to claim multiple PGA Tour victories. With 0 PSA 10’s or 9’s, a good grade on this card might break the bank.
Buy on eBay Rory McIlroy 2011 Sports Illustrated for Kids #83 Rookie Card Rory McIlroy’s first appearance on cardboard was in the pages of Sports Illustrated for Kids. Issued in 2011, this rookie card captures the early promise of a golfer who quickly rose to prominence as one of Tiger Woods' most compelling successors. This card offers strong upside potential given Rory’s enduring popularity and ongoing pursuit of major titles.
Buy on eBay Brooks Koepka Rookie 2015 Sports Illustrated for Kids #407 Brooks Koepka was introduced to collectors via his 2015 Sports Illustrated for Kids rookie card. At the time, Koepka was still an emerging talent, and this card is his earliest official release—preceding his mainstream golf cards by several years. With Koepka's high-profile success on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, this rookie card, with only 35 total PSA graded examples existing at the moment, is increasingly appealing both culturally and as an investment.
Buy on eBay Charlie Woods 2024 Sports Illustrated For Kids Rookie #907 We’ve come full circle with this one. Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, burst onto the scene with his captivating performances alongside his dad, and this 2024 SI for Kids rookie captures the earliest days of a potentially extraordinary golf career. While speculative, should Charlie’s career follow even slightly in the footsteps of his father, having a pair of SI for Kids Wood’s, father and son rookies, is going to be a must-have for every golf collector.
Buy on eBay C Tier - Important Cultural Touchstones for the Hobby LeBron James Rookie 2003 Sports Illustrated for Kids #264 Before LeBron James became an NBA icon, his 2003 Sports Illustrated for Kids rookie card captured the early promise of "The King." For thousands of young fans, this was their very first LeBron rookie—and a gateway into collecting. Since its release, collectors have eagerly chased this card, resulting in over 3,000 PSA submissions—the highest graded SIK card by a wide margin.
While its relatively abundant PSA 10 population makes it more accessible than other legendary cards on this list, LeBron’s rookie remains an essential addition for collectors who value both cultural significance and long-term investment potential. Buy on eBay Shaun White Rookie Sports Illustrated for Kids #278 Before becoming a snowboarding legend and Olympic gold medalist, Shaun White was featured in Sports Illustrated for Kids, marking his debut in the trading card world. This card captures the early days of a career that would revolutionize winter sports.
Buy on eBay Michael Jordan 1989 Sports Illustrated SI for Kids #16 Stylized with the iconic green patterned background, this 1989 card was part of the very first series of Sports Illustrated for Kids cards. Being one of the first SI for Kids cards to exist, combined with it being an early Jordan card, this SI Kids card represents a classic and accessible Jordan collectible. Wayne Gretzky 1989 Sports Illustrated for Kids #19 Capturing "The Great One" during his transition to the LA Kings, this 1989 SI for Kids card is a snapshot of a pivotal moment in hockey history.
Gretzky's influence on the sport is immeasurable, making this card a valuable piece for collectors. As part of the first series of SI for Kids cards in 1989 this card is a popular, more affordable, piece of SIFK history. Buy on eBay Venus & Serena Williams 2000 Sports Illustrated SI For Kids #877 This remarkable card featuring Venus and Serena Williams together captures a pivotal moment in sports history, showcasing two sisters on the brink of transforming women's tennis.
Collectors value it for its unique dual-rookie status and cultural significance, spotlighting the beginning of one of the most influential sibling duos in sports history. Buy on eBay Katie Ledecky 2013 Sports Illustrated SI For Kids #274 Katie Ledecky’s rookie SI for Kids card arrived just as she began rewriting the record books in swimming, soon becoming one of the most decorated Olympic athletes of all time. With limited mainstream collectibles available for swimming, her 2013 SI for Kids continues to present collectors with a reliable way to invest in upcoming superstars like Katie.
Buy on eBay Simone Biles Rookie 2014 Sports Illustrated SI for Kids #292 Two years before her historic Olympic dominance in Rio, Simone Biles debuted her rookie card in the pages of SI for Kids, providing fans and collectors a glimpse at the gymnast who would become the face of the sport. Already recognized as one of gymnastics' greatest talents, Biles' SI rookie has become increasingly sought after, especially given its scarcity in high grades. Buy on eBay D Tier - It’s just fun Michael Jordan/Tiger Woods 1997 Sports Illustrated April Fools #571 Sports Illustrated for Kids cards were originally created to be fun, long before anyone thought they'd become valuable investments.
Creative mashups featuring superstars, like this playful April Fools' combination of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, made special holiday editions of the magazine especially memorable. Today, this particular card stands out as one of the more valuable and enjoyable additions to any sports card collection. Buy on eBay Luka Doncic 2025 Sports Illustrated SI For Kids NBA 1st Licensed Lakers Card Let’s be real: a seventh-year Luka card probably doesn’t belong on a list of the best SI for Kids cards of all time—but it does showcase SI for Kids' continued commitment to providing culturally important touchstones, even in 2025.
This particular card marks Doncic's first officially licensed collectible featuring the iconic purple and gold Lakers jersey. Is it a great long-term investment? Probably not. But is it fun? Absolutely.
Buy on eBay Do you have any of these iconic SI for Kids cards? Did we miss one of your favorites—or perhaps an underrated gem? Share your collection and join the conversation with fellow collectors at Mantel ..
