At CardSZN, we care about legacy—but also about cardboard. This list isn’t just about rings or stats. It’s about cultural impact, long-term greatness, and most importantly: the rookie cards that represent it.
We’re counting down the top 5 NBA players of all time—plus one well-deserved honorable mention—and pairing each with their most iconic rookie card. If you collect basketball cards, this is your cheat sheet for chasing greatness.
🏀 Honorable Mention: Stephen Curry – 2009 Topps #321
Steph changed the game. Period. Before Curry, the three-point shot was a tool. After Curry, it became the entire toolbox. He stretched defenses, broke analytics, and made kids everywhere believe they could pull up from 30 feet.
He’s a two-time MVP, four-time champ, and the all-time leader in three-pointers made. While he may not crack everyone’s top five, you can’t write the history of basketball without him—and you definitely can’t build a modern NBA PC without including his rookie.
I know this is his preeminent RC, but it’s kinda goofy to me. It looks like they took it out of a school yearbook. No shade – he’s the greatest shooter of all time and changed the game more than anyone except Jordan, but this card has always struck me as kinda funny.
Card to Know: 2009 Topps #321. This is Steph’s true Topps rookie. Clean layout, high demand, and widely recognized even by casual collectors. The Topps Chrome version is the premium play, especially in PSA 10, where recent comps hover around $5,000+. But even the base Topps in a PSA 9 can fetch $400–$600 depending on market swings.
5. Wilt Chamberlain – 1961 Fleer #8
Wilt wasn’t just dominant—he was superhuman. A 100-point game (supposedly… internet trolls doubt it). Averaged 50 points per game in a season. Averaged over 22 rebounds for his career. If you dropped him in today’s game, he’d still be a problem.
His stats feel fake, but they’re real (maybe…)—and his place in the game’s history is secure.
Card to Know: 1961 Fleer #8. This is Wilt’s only true rookie card, and it’s a beast. Vintage basketball collectors covet this one, but it still flies under the radar compared to Jordan and LeBron. PSA 7s are in the $6,000–$8,000 range, and high grades (PSA 9s and up) rarely come up for sale. If you’re looking for long-term appreciation with a bit of historical edge, this is your card.
Collector Tip: Look out for centering and print dots—this set is notorious for condition issues.
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 1969 Topps #25 (as Lew Alcindor)
Six MVPs. Six championships. The skyhook. Kareem didn’t just dominate—he did it for 20 years. He held the NBA’s all-time scoring record for nearly four decades until LeBron finally passed him.
Kareem doesn’t always get the love he deserves in GOAT debates, but the numbers are unarguable. He’s a giant in every sense.
Card to Know: 1969 Topps #25. This card was issued under his birth name, Lew Alcindor. It’s oversized and hard to grade—tons of chipping, soft corners, and terrible centering. But that just adds to its mystique. PSA 6s run around $1,500–$2,000, while high-grade copies (PSA 8+) are rare and expensive, often crossing $10K.
Collector Tip: Slabs with strong eye appeal (even in lower grades) still hold value due to scarcity in clean condition.
3. Kobe Bryant – 1996 Topps Chrome #138
Kobe didn’t ask for your approval. He just outworked you. His Mamba Mentality is legendary—five-time champion, 18-time All-Star, and one of the most respected (and feared) competitors to ever hit the hardwood.
Side Note: Did you see Tyrese Haliburton on Pat McAfee’s podcast this week? After he tore his achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals a few weeks ago, he said he tried to walk and just failed miserably. And he recalled when Kobe did the same, walked himself to the free throw line and made to free throws with his torn achilles.
Mamba Mentality Exhibit A:
Kobe was the bridge between MJ and today’s stars—and his tragic death only cemented how revered he was.
Card to Know: 1996 Topps Chrome #138. This is the cornerstone of any Kobe PC. PSA 10s exploded in value during the 2020–2021 boom, hitting highs near $30K. They’ve come down since, but still command strong money in any grade. Refractors are grail-tier. For budget collectors, check out 1996 Collector’s Choice or Skybox Z-Force for lower-cost, high-ceiling alternatives.
Collector Tip: Watch for greening issues on Topps Chrome cards—many older slabs may show surface discoloration from poor storage.
2. LeBron James – 2003 Topps Chrome #111
LeBron has played so long that he’s been dominant across three different decades. He’s won with three franchises, passed Kareem for the all-time scoring crown, and still plays at an All-NBA level at nearly 40.
Whether you love him or love to argue about him, there’s no question he’s one of the greatest ever.
Card to Know: 2003 Topps Chrome #111. The definitive modern rookie card. Base PSA 10s sell in the $2,000–$2,800 range as of mid-2025. Refractors (especially Xfractors and Black Refractors) fetch monster prices—some crossing $100K+ at auction.
Collector Tip: There’s also a 2003 Bowman Chrome and 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite, but Topps Chrome is the most recognizable entry point for most collectors and investors.
1. Michael Jordan – 1986 Fleer #57
The gold standard. Jordan was six-for-six in the Finals, a ten-time scoring champ, Defensive Player of the Year, and arguably the most competitive human to ever exist. He transcended basketball—he became a brand, a culture, and a blueprint. He accomplished more than anyone, in less time than anyone else in the conversation.
There’s a reason no GOAT list is complete without him.
Card to Know: 1986 Fleer #57. Not technically his true rookie (that’s the 1984 Star #101), but this is the hobby’s undisputed king. It’s iconic. Instantly recognizable. PSA 10s have sold for over $300K, while PSA 8s hover in the $6,000–$8,000 range. Even reprints of this card get love. This is my personal grail. I would love one, even if its a PSA 0, if that were a real thing.
Collector Tip: Be careful of fakes. This card is one of the most counterfeited in the entire hobby—stick with graded copies or know your paper stock and print clues cold.
Final Thoughts
Every one of these players changed the game—and their rookie cards changed the hobby.
Whether you’re building a GOAT collection, flipping for long-term upside, or just appreciating the legends, this list is your blueprint. Jordan is the king. LeBron is the machine. Kobe is the killer. Kareem is the classic. Wilt is the alien. And Steph? Steph is the revolution.
Got a different top 5? Let me know in the comments.
Drop your picks in the comments—or go find that dream card you’ve been putting off. Because in this hobby, the GOAT chase never ends.
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