What basketball rookie cards are worth money

Q: How do I know if my basketball cards are worth money?

CollX (pronounced collects”) is the fastest way to figure out what your cards are worth. Snap photos of them and instantly get the current market price. Add them to your collection and track your overall portfolio value. You can even buy, sell, grade, and trade your cards with other collectors.

From George Mikan to Steph Curry (and maybe Joe Lapchick if you’re a fan of really old school ballers), searching through a list of the top 100 most watched basketball rookie cards for sale is a study in hoop history.

Like the game itself, basketball cards have changed a great deal since Bowman featured Mikan on its first–and only–set back in 1948. These days, rookie cards can come in several different types. There are single cards from lower cost brands produced by Panini America and high-end, serial-numbered cards with jersey pieces and an autograph that cost thousands of dollars.

A guy like Curry has both: his standard issue Topps rookie card from 2009-10 could have been bought online that season for $1 or less. Now? Be prepared to fork over a few hundred and find that “run of the mill” rookie card on the hot list below. It’ll be joined there, though, by National Treasures, Exquisite and other high-end Curry rookies.

Among the most popular basketball rookie cards for sale are the 1986-89 Fleer cards, especially the 1986-87 set that brought us Michael Jordan’s rookie card (and a bunch of others). Talk about soaring values. There seems to be no end in sight for Jordan.

And of course, you’ll also find some of the hottest current players who are getting their first cardboard.

2018-19 Panini Purple Ice Prizm #280 Luka Doncic Mavericks RC Rookie /149 PSA 10

83 bids - Price: $7,800.00 - Watchers: 187

2003-04 Topps Chrome Refractor #111 LeBron James RC Rookie BGS 8.5 w/9s

30 bids - Price: $5,100.00 - Watchers: 172

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2018-19 Prizm MOJO PRIZM Rookie RC #5/25 - PSA 10 GEM

39 bids - Price: $2,800.00 - Watchers: 163

1996 KOBE BRYANT FINEST #269 RC ROOKIE GOLD REFRACTOR LAKERS SP PSA 7 NM

46 bids - Price: $3,749.00 - Watchers: 158

2018-19 Panini Opulence Luka Doncic RPA RC Rookie Patch AUTO 3/79 Mavericks

54 bids - Price: $6,200.00 - Watchers: 158

2003-04 SP Authentic LeBron James RC Rookie Signed On Card AUTO PSA 10 GEM MINT

29 bids - Price: $11,300.00 - Watchers: 158

1996 SkyBox E-X2000 Star Date Kobe Bryant RC Rookie Lakers PSA 10 GEM MINT

33 bids - Price: $6,650.00 - Watchers: 154

2003-04 Upper Deck Rookie Exclusives LeBron James RC SP BGS 8.5 w/ 10 AUTO

29 bids - Price: $3,799.00 - Watchers: 153

2018-19 Panini Contenders Optic Gold Shooting Luka Doncic Rookie RC Auto /10

40 bids - Price: $9,100.00 - Watchers: 153

1986 Fleer Basketball #57 Michael Jordan RC Rookie HOF PSA 9 MINT " PACK FRESH "

52 bids - Price: $11,700.00 - Watchers: 149

2009-10 Panini Crown Royale Die-Cut #103 Stephen Curry RC /399 BGS 9.5 w 10 AUTO

25 bids - Price: $3,049.00 - Watchers: 148

1986 Fleer Michael Jordan BGS 8.5 Rookie Card Best Subs! #57 0.5 Away From BGS 9

39 bids - Price: $5,300.00 - Watchers: 140

1996 Topps KOBE BRYANT Draft Redemption RC Rookie PSA 10 GEM MINT

45 bids - Price: $3,600.00 - Watchers: 140

1996-97 Skybox E-X2000 Kobe Bryant Credentials SGC 7 RC Rookie /499 #30 -SHARP-

52 bids - Price: $9,500.00 - Watchers: 140

2020-21 Donruss Optic Gold Prizm #151 Anthony Edwards RC /10 PSA 9 " PRISTINE "

30 bids - Price: $3,575.00 - Watchers: 137

2003-04 SPx #151 LeBron James RC Rookie Jersey 573/750 BGS 9.5 w/ 10 AUTO

23 bids - Price: $10,100.00 - Watchers: 136

2013-14 Panini Giannis Antetokounmpo RC Rookie Signed On Card AUTO Bucks

37 bids - Price: $3,383.00 - Watchers: 135

2018-19 Shai Gilgeous Alexander Auto RC Contenders Optic Prizm PSA 9 Blue Jersey

33 bids - Price: $255.00 - Watchers: 133

2003-04 Topps Chrome Refractor #115 DWYANE WADE Rookie Card RC Mint BGS 9.5

41 bids - Price: $2,259.00 - Watchers: 128

2020-21 Panini Contenders Cracked Ice Rookie Ticket Desmond Bane RC AUTO 16/25

31 bids - Price: $710.00 - Watchers: 127

2003-04 Topps Finest Refractor #133 LeBron James RC Rookie /250 PSA 9 PRISTINE

23 bids - Price: $6,500.00 - Watchers: 123

JAYSON TATUM BGS 9.5 2018 PANINI BASKETBALL #5 ROOKIE KABOOM! SP GEM RC 0408

49 bids - Price: $3,000.00 - Watchers: 121

1986 Fleer Basketball #57 Michael Jordan RC Rookie HOF PSA 8 NM-MT " PWCC-S "

18 bids - Price: $6,350.00 - Watchers: 119

2020-21 Jalen Smith National Treasures True Logoman 1/1 Suns RC Rare SSP Pacers

24 bids - Price: $1,075.00 - Watchers: 118

LUKA DONCIC - 2018-19 MOMENTUM - ROOKIE AUTO GOLD - #10/10 - MAVERICKS -

48 bids - Price: $1,225.00 - Watchers: 115

2003-04 UD Exquisite Emblems Of Endorsements Carmelo Anthony RC Patch AUTO /15

25 bids - Price: $1,526.00 - Watchers: 113

2019-20 Spectra Marble Prizm Ja Morant Zion Williamson RC Patch AUTO 1/3 BGS 8

19 bids - Price: $445.00 - Watchers: 112

1986 Fleer Sticker Basketball #8 Michael Jordan RC Rookie HOF PSA 9 PACK FRESH

28 bids - Price: $3,242.31 - Watchers: 112

2020 ANTHONY EDWARDS FLAWLESS AUTO AUTOGRAPH RC #25/25 FACTORY SEALED DRAFT GEM

39 bids - Price: $1,020.00 - Watchers: 111

Joel Embiid 2014 Panini Spectra Gold Prizm Rookie RC Auto Patch /10 SIXERS EX-MT

32 bids - Price: $510.00 - Watchers: 111

2018 Panini Noir Shadow Sigs 11/99 Luka Doncic #SHS-LD BGS 9 MINT Rookie Auto RC

37 bids - Price: $2,075.00 - Watchers: 110

2013-14 Panini Court Kings Fresh Paint Giannis Antetokounmpo RC Rookie AUTO /10

32 bids - Price: $1,574.00 - Watchers: 109

1986-87 Fleer Basketball #57 Michael Jordan RC Rookie HOF BGS 8.5 w/ (2) 9's

23 bids - Price: $5,451.00 - Watchers: 108

1980 Topps Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Rookie Julius Erving HOF PSA 8 " PWCC-A "

21 bids - Price: $1,051.00 - Watchers: 108

2018-19 Panini Silver Prizm Luka Doncic RC Rookie Signed AUTO PSA 9 " HIGH END "

39 bids - Price: $2,232.00 - Watchers: 107

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2018-19 Select COURTSIDE ZEBRA PRIZM ROOKIE RC - BGS 8.5

17 bids - Price: $157.50 - Watchers: 103

1996-97 Topps #138 Kobe Bryant Lakers RC Rookie HOF PSA 10 GEM MINT " FLAWLESS "

24 bids - Price: $770.00 - Watchers: 102

2019-20 NBA Hoops Premium Stock Rookie Ink Prizm Ja Morant RC On Card AUTO

30 bids - Price: $611.70 - Watchers: 101

2021 Panini One & One Basketball Vince Carter Dual Jersey Auto Gold /10 On Card

40 bids - Price: $520.00 - Watchers: 97

2013-14 Panini Select Silver Prizm #178 Giannis Antetokounmpo RC Rookie BGS 9.5

36 bids - Price: $2,277.00 - Watchers: 97

2018-19 Shai Gilgeous Alexander Panini Impeccable RC Auto /99 Silver Thunder OKC

23 bids - Price: $69.00 - Watchers: 97

1986 Fleer Basketball #57 Michael Jordan RC Rookie HOF PSA 8 " SHARP CORNERS "

26 bids - Price: $4,050.00 - Watchers: 96

ZION WILLIAMSON 2019 PRIZM BLUE #d 112/199 ROOKIE RC PSA 9 MINT

51 bids - Price: $1,025.00 - Watchers: 95

JAYSON TATUM 2017 PANINI FLAWLESS RC ROOKIE 1/1 BOX PSA/DNA 7/10 AUTO AUTOGRAPH

28 bids - Price: $510.00 - Watchers: 95

2021-22 Panini One And One Cade Cunningham Downtown SP Case Hit Rookie RC #16

12 bids - Price: $1,350.00 - Watchers: 94

2018-19 Panini Spectra Luka Doncic Rising Stars Rookie RC Auto #66/75 MAVERICKS

30 bids - Price: $760.00 - Watchers: 94

2017 Panini Spectra Rising Stars Silver Prizm Jayson Tatum 3/99 Auto RC Rookie

19 bids - Price: $255.00 - Watchers: 94

BGS 9.5 LAURI MARKKANEN 2017/18 CONTENDERS THE FINALS TICKET ROOKIE AUTO /49 🔥

29 bids - Price: $105.50 - Watchers: 92

PSA 9/10 - TYLER HERRO CHAMPIONSHIP TAGS PATCH AUTO /2 - 2019-20 Panini Flawless

20 bids - Price: $305.00 - Watchers: 91

2014-15 Panini Flawless Ruby Shaquille O'Neal HOF 3-Color Patch AUTO 3/15 Magic

25 bids - Price: $1,025.00 - Watchers: 91

1985 Nike Basketball Promo Michael Jordan Rookie RC PSA 9 Mint 🔥

34 bids - Price: $1,700.00 - Watchers: 89

1986 Fleer Michael Jordan PSA 7 Near Mint Chicago Bulls RC Rookie

44 bids - Price: $2,603.00 - Watchers: 89

2009-10 Panini Court Kings #129 Stephen Curry RC Rookie AUTO 371/649 PSA 8.5

26 bids - Price: $945.00 - Watchers: 89

2019-20 Panini Eminence Platinum RJ Barrett RC 1 Troy Ounce Silver AUTO 1/1

23 bids - Price: $2,025.00 - Watchers: 87

2013-14 Preferred Crown Royale Giannis Antetokounmpo RC Jersey AUTO /99 BGS 9.5

37 bids - Price: $4,300.00 - Watchers: 87

2021 Contenders Optic Gold Prizm Rookie Ticket Josh Giddey RC Variation AUTO /10

15 bids - Price: $303.00 - Watchers: 87

1996-97 Flair Showcase Legacy Row 0 #3 Allen Iverson RC Rookie HOF /150 PSA 9

16 bids - Price: $2,550.00 - Watchers: 86

2021/22 Prizm Jalen Green Blue 75th Anniv Rookie Holo Psa 10 Gem Mint Rockets

15 bids - Price: $306.00 - Watchers: 85

2019-20 Panini Opulence Booklet RPA Auto 55/99 Ja Morant Rookie RC Grizzlies

27 bids - Price: $1,350.00 - Watchers: 85

2014-15 Immaculate Shabazz Napier 1/1 Logoman Patch Auto Rookie RC PSA9 Mint

39 bids - Price: $224.50 - Watchers: 84

2018 Panini KABOOM! #K-JT Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics RC Rookie SSP

31 bids - Price: $227.50 - Watchers: 84

2021 Panini Spectra Basketball Moses Moody Astral Prizm RPA Patch Auto /35

20 bids - Price: $63.00 - Watchers: 82

2009 Topps Basketball Stephen Curry RC #321 PSA 10 GEM MINT

41 bids - Price: $6,001.00 - Watchers: 82

2018-19 Dominion Luka Doncic Trae Young Gold Dual Rookie Auto #/10 BGS 8/10 Q6

17 bids - Price: $735.00 - Watchers: 82

2003-04 Bowman Chrome #123 LeBron James Cavaliers RC Rookie PSA 10 GEM MINT

43 bids - Price: $2,150.00 - Watchers: 82

2021-22 Prizm Cade Cunningham Silver Prizm Rookie RC #282 PSA 10 Pistons

21 bids - Price: $405.00 - Watchers: 81

2014 ANDREW WIGGINS #03/10 PRIZM SPECTRA GOLD REFRACTOR RC PATCH AUTO RPA ROOKIE

29 bids - Price: $415.00 - Watchers: 80

2018-19 Panini Prizm Choice Tiger Stripe Rookie Anfernee Simons RC PSA 10

30 bids - Price: $761.01 - Watchers: 80

2020-21 Contenders Cracked Ice Ticket Desmond Bane RC /25 BGS 8.5 w/ 10 AUTO

58 bids - Price: $1,050.00 - Watchers: 80

2007-08 SP Authentic Kevin Durant Rookie Patch Auto RC #215/299 Sonics Y41

23 bids - Price: $113.50 - Watchers: 79

1996 SKYBOX E-X2000 #30 KOBE BRYANT ROOKIE RC LAKERS HOF PSA 9 MINT

29 bids - Price: $841.00 - Watchers: 79

Jalen Green 2021 Donruss Optic Holo Prizm Rookie RC Auto PSA 10 GEM MINT *POP 2*

29 bids - Price: $810.00 - Watchers: 79

2018-19 Panini Prizm Blue Prizm 187/199 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #184 Rookie RC

19 bids - Price: $250.50 - Watchers: 78

2021-22 Panini One And One Downtown Scottie Barnes Rookie RC SSP #19

18 bids - Price: $2,600.00 - Watchers: 78

2018-19 Donruss Optic Pink Fast Break Prizm #177 Luka Doncic RC AUTO /20 BGS 9.5

24 bids - Price: $4,663.00 - Watchers: 78

1985 Nike Promo Michael Jordan HOF Bulls RC Rookie PSA 8 NM-MT

15 bids - Price: $405.00 - Watchers: 78

Jordan Poole 2019-20 Panini Donruss Optic Rated Rookie #169 Choice Dragon PSA 10

18 bids - Price: $170.50 - Watchers: 77

1986 Fleer Basketball #57 Michael Jordan RC Rookie HOF PSA 7 " LOOKS NICER "

13 bids - Price: $4,450.00 - Watchers: 77

2019/20 Panini Crown Royale Zion Williamson Kaboom! Rookie RC PSA 10

48 bids - Price: $5,500.00 - Watchers: 76

2021-22 Panini Crown Royale KABOOM! #23 Evan Mobley RC Rookie SSP PSA 10

18 bids - Price: $1,225.00 - Watchers: 76

2013-14 Court Kings Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo Rookie Fresh Paint auto 001/499

23 bids - Price: $620.00 - Watchers: 76

1996 Hoops Rookie Kobe Bryant #3 Gold Foil RC PSA 10 GEM MINT

42 bids - Price: $922.00 - Watchers: 75

1980 Topps Basketball Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Rookie HOF Julius Erving PSA 7

32 bids - Price: $1,375.00 - Watchers: 75

1996-97 Topps Draft Redemption #DP13 Kobe Bryant RC Rookie HOF PSA 10

30 bids - Price: $1,125.00 - Watchers: 75

2017-18 Panini Silver Prizm #16 Jayson Tatum RC Rookie AUTO PSA 9 " LOOKS GEM "

21 bids - Price: $823.00 - Watchers: 75

2019-20 Donruss Optic Gold Fast Break Prizm #168 Ja Morant RC AUTO 10/10 BGS 9.5

15 bids - Price: $5,388.00 - Watchers: 75

2021-22 One and One Prime Rookie Jersey Auto Gold /10 Jalen Suggs RPA R6220J

14 bids - Price: $152.50 - Watchers: 74

2018-19 Panini Prizm Luka Doncic Fast Break Blue Rookie /175 PSA 10 RC Gem Mint

14 bids - Price: $1,626.00 - Watchers: 74

2014-15 Panini Blue Prizm #253 Joel Embiid 76ers RC Rookie 32/99 PSA 10 GEM MINT

28 bids - Price: $925.00 - Watchers: 74

2019-20 Clearly Donruss Holo Platinum #52 Ja Morant RC Rookie 1/1 PSA 9 MINT

24 bids - Price: $898.00 - Watchers: 74

2022 Topps Update Julio Rodriguez RC Rookie Photo Variation SSP (RC)

39 bids - Price: $192.50 - Watchers: 74

1985 Nike Promo Basketball Michael Jordan RC Rookie HOF SGC 9 " PACK FRESH "

24 bids - Price: $430.55 - Watchers: 74

2003-04 UD Top Prospects Signs Of Success LeBron James RC Rookie AUTO PSA 10

32 bids - Price: $2,325.00 - Watchers: 74

2018 Contenders Optic Rookie Ticket Shai Gilgeous-Alexander RC AUTO PSA 10 Pop 2

13 bids - Price: $535.00 - Watchers: 73

2018-19 Panini Fast Break Prizm #280 Luka Doncic RC Rookie /175 " PACK FRESH "

28 bids - Price: $1,475.00 - Watchers: 73

2013-14 Panini NBA Hoops Red #275 Giannis Antetokounmpo RC Rookie PSA 10

28 bids - Price: $2,555.00 - Watchers: 73

2018-19 Panini Contenders Optic Rookie Ticket Auto Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #114

20 bids - Price: $152.50 - Watchers: 72

2021 Select Franz Wagner Gold Auto /10 Rookie RC

41 bids - Price: $345.00 - Watchers: 72

2020-21 Panini Silver Prizm #258 Anthony Edwards RC Rookie PSA 10 " HOT CARD "

21 bids - Price: $394.55 - Watchers: 72

To see all of the most watched basketball cards (rookie and non-rookie) click here.

What are some basketball cards worth money?

Most Valuable Basketball Cards 1990s: Kobe Bryant.

1996 Topps Chrome Refractor. ... .

1996 Finest Gold Refractor. ... .

1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan. ... .

1997 SPx Michael Jordan Die-Cut Autograph. ... .

1997 Skybox E-X2001 Michael Jordan. ... .

1996 Flair Showcase. ... .

1996 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson..

How do I know if my basketball cards are worth money?

CollX (pronounced “collects”) is the fastest way to figure out what your cards are worth. Snap photos of them and instantly get the current market price. Add them to your collection and track your overall portfolio value. You can even buy, sell, grade, and trade your cards with other collectors.