CGC Cards Hot List – January 2026

It’s the CGC Hot List, and we’re sharing some of the most popular submissions that have passed through the grading room recently, including players from the past and present who are driving the current market. Utilizing comprehensive insights from CGC submission data, here are five of the most-submitted athletes in recent weeks.

1) Tom Brady

Although he retired in early 2023, collectors continue to submit a wide range of Tom Brady's cards for authentication and grading. As the undisputed greatest quarterback of all time, it's no surprise that Brady's cards are still a mainstay of current football card submissions. Whether they are cards issued in his early years in New England, late career cards from his time in Tampa Bay or post-career issues, Brady fans still send in his collectibles in droves. As one of the most collected athletes ever, the seven-time Super Bowl champion's legacy is forever cemented on the gridiron and within the hobby, as well.

2) Victor Wembanyama

Arguably the most exciting young player to enter the league since LeBron James, 7'4" Frenchman Victor Wembanyama has been a game changer since he was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Although the big man has dealt with some injuries early on in his NBA career, when he is healthy there are few players who have an impact on both sides of the floor the way Wembanyama does. At only 22 years old, he is already among the NBA's elite, and in return, has become one of the most popular modern players to collect and submit.

3) Drake Maye

First, we had a New England Patriots legend and now we have the franchise's newest star: Drake Maye. Since Brady left New England after the 2019 season, the team has been on the hunt for their next franchise star under center. Enter the former North Carolina Tar Heel standout who has turned doubters into believers in his second pro season. Maye just led New England to a 14-3 regular season record and the team's first AFC East division title since Brady's exit. Meanwhile, as Maye gets his first taste of the NFL playoffs, CGC continues to see an influx of submissions that include his cards.

4) Paige Bueckers

One of the most decorated women's basketball players in high school and college ever, Paige Bueckers is now making her mark in the pros. After winning three high school championships, one NCAA championship and national player of the year awards at both levels, Bueckers recently won the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award following her first season with the Dallas Wings. With sky-high expectations and a track record of success, Bueckers has gained plenty of fans on and off the court, including numerous collectors who have made sure to submit her collectibles, especially some of her rookie cards like the one above.

5) Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Yoshinobu Yamamoto joined the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season after being one of the most successful modern pitchers ever in Japan. In two seasons in L.A., Yamamoto has become an All-Star, won two World Series titles and was named the 2025 World Series MVP for his unprecedented heroics. Yamamoto earned three wins, a 1.02 ERA and 15 strikeouts across Games 2, 6 and 7, becoming the first pitcher to ever earn three road wins in a single World Series. Fans and collectors alike have flocked to his collectibles since he joined the Dodgers, but after his 2025 postseason performances, CGC has seen a large uptick in Yamamoto submissions, including this Topps Now issue commemorating his historic World Series accomplishments.

About CGC

Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for sports cards, TCGs and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. CGC Home Video provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of videocassettes, DVD, Blu-ray and more. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services.