Cherry’s Guide to Collecting NBA Basketball Cards (2025)

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of the NBA and its unforgettable, heart-thrilling moments. Getting to own a little token of these moments is what makes collecting NBA cards so special. 

But how do you start collecting NBA cards? And where do you even get them? This article will cover everything you need to know about collecting basketball cards. 

What are Basketball Cards?  

Basketball cards are cards that feature a professional player, displaying their picture and sometimes their statistics. Many cards come with unique features such as autographs, jersey patches, and limited edition prints.

The History of Basketball Cards

Basketball cards date back to the 1930s and 40s, but were primarily marketing gimmicks offered alongside packs of gum. 

The first major basketball set was introduced by Bowman in 1948, featuring several future Hall of Famers including George Mikan (seen in the image below). This set is now a vintage collectible, with Mikan’s rookie card being extremely valuable.

Basketball cards had a slow decade even with the introduction of the Bowman set, and it wasn’t until 1957 that the next major set, by Topps, was released. 

Topps became the dominant player in producing basketball cards for a long time and it wasn’t until the late 1980s when things changed: Collecting basketball cards really took off as a hobby and companies such as Fleer, Upper Deck and Skybox entered the market.

This was when collectors and investors flooded the market, buying up boxes and packs to get valuable cards, driving up prices and leading to overproduction. By the mid-1990s, the speculative bubble bursted, driving prices back down. 

The 2000s came, and this saw the emergence of a new player in the industry: Panini, an Italian company known for its World Cup stickers, had managed to secure an exclusive deal with the NBA. 

They became the sole producer of licensed NBA cards, marking a new era for basketball collecting, and during this period, many innovative designs came out.

Why Are NBA Cards Still So Popular in 2025?

NBA as a sport has only continued to grow and with rising player popularity of stars like Lebron James, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama, the interest in collecting NBA cards also grew. 

Each year, there are new set releases that keep the hobby fresh and exciting and online marketplaces only make collecting more accessible. 

How To Start Collecting Basketball Cards

To start collecting basketball cards, you need to determine if your goals are for fun or investment purposes. For most people, we recommend beginning with what you like - whether it’s a player or team. This should guide your collection. 

Next, you’ll need to decide where to get the basketball cards. Which shop do you buy from? And should you get singles or boxes? We’ll outline the differences below.

Storing Your Cards

When starting out your basketball collection, you first need to store your cards properly. Get sleeves, top loaders, and storage boxes to keep your cards in mint condition. This is crucial. 

Types of Basketball Cards

Base cards: The most common type, featuring standard player images and stats

Rookie cards: Cards of players just entering their NBA career - often the most valuable over time if the player's career takes off.

Parallel cards: A variation of base cards with unique foils, colours or serial numbers.

Autographed cards: Also known as “autos,” are cards signed by a player.

Relic/Jersey cards: Special cards that include a swatch of player's jerseys or memorabilia.

Insert cards: A card that is part of a set. They aren’t part of the regular base set and tend to have unique designs. 

A good collection includes a mixture of these - from the players and teams you like. They don’t need to be thousands of cards - just cards you like and enjoy looking at.

Types of Boxes

Many NBA boxes are on the market, so you might wonder: Which box should I get? And where can I find them? 

This will depend on your budget: 

Budget-friendly boxes: 

These boxes are more affordable and ideal for beginners or children. They contain a higher number of base cards, so they contain less of a chance of getting valuable high-end pulls like autos and relics. 

• NBA Hoops

• Donruss

Mid-range boxes:

These boxes offer more valuable inserts, autographs, and refractors - a blend of affordability and high-end pulls.

• Certified

• Contenders

• Prizm

• Mosaic & Optic

• Select

High-end boxes:

It's very pricey but gives you the best chance of getting high-value pulls like RPAs (rookie patch autos) and rare inserts.

• Spectra

• Noir

• Impeccable & Immaculate

• One and One

• National Treasures

• Flawless

What to Consider When Buying Basketball Cards

Where You Buy Them From

The safest places to buy basketball cards are reputable hobby shops/local stores, online marketplaces, and official retailers like Cherry Collectables.

You can sometimes shop boxes from big retail stores, however these can be complicated to find as people sometimes camp out or buy these in bulk from stores on release.

Year of the Cards

The year a card was printed significantly affects its value. For example, cards from a player’s rookie season are often the more valuable long-term.

Singles vs. Packs/Boxes

There are two ways to build out your collection: Buying singles or boxes.

Singles are often more cost-efficient and allow you to get the exact cards you want. Meanwhile, boxes get you brand-new cards and give you the thrill of chasing some rares. 

If you only want cards from a certain player or team, you can also try your hand at live breaks. These are live-streamed box opening sessions, where you can “buy in” to receive cards from only a certain team/player. 

Graded vs. Non Graded

Graded cards (see pic below) are cards that are analysed under a microscope from a company like PSA, BGS or SGC and graded with a score of 1-10 based on the card’s condition. Higher graded cards, especially those 9-10, are worth significantly more.

Meanwhile, non-graded cards are more affordable but vary in condition. 

What to Consider When Selling Your NBA Cards

Where to Sell Them

Most sellers will either sell on eBay or to a reputable shop. eBay has a large market but requires more effort from you and charges fees.

If you want to sell to a reputable shop in Australia, Cherry Collectables will almost always buy your NBA cards. Sell your NBA cards here.

What Price Should You Sell Them At

The best way to check the value of your cards is by checking eBay’s recently sold listings, but ensure you’re looking at the right card because there are many similar ones.

Also, make sure to take into consideration a card’s condition and whether it’s graded.

Should You Hold or Sell

The best time to sell is if a card or player is trending. Meanwhile, rookie or limited edition cards tend to rise in price over the long term. 

How to Add Value To Your NBA Cards

You can add value to your NBA cards by grading them and getting a good score. make sure to use sleeves and top-loaders to keep your cards in good condition.

So are Basketball Cards Worth Collecting in 2025?

Absolutely! The hobby of basketball card collecting is very fun and has grown exponentially since 2020.

Many previous collectors, when they were younger, have returned to the hobby. And a lot of new collectors are just joining.

Investors have also joined the hobby thanks to the bull market of NBA cards. Although we can’t guarantee you’ll make a profit on basketball cards, there’s no doubt some have investment potential. 

How to Learn More About Basketball Card Collecting

Want to expand your knowledge? Check out these resources:

• Official NBA Website - for player insights and trends

• Cherry Collectables Blog - Stay up to date on the latest releases, events, and collecting tips

• Packman Youtube Channel - For product reviews and box opening videos

Get Started Collecting NBA Cards with Cherry Collectables

Start your journey with some hobby boxes here. Or find some rare singles of your favourite players.