Basketball Cards: From the Very First to the Present

Behind baseball cards, the second most popular sports card collectibles would be basketball cards, but that is a recent years trend - helped by oversea demand. The history of basketball card collecting dates back to 1910, when the "College Athlete Felts B-33" series was introduced.

An early basketball card from the 1910 Murad Cigarettes College Series featuring Xavier College's basketball team.

Additional sets, such as the "T6 College Series" and "T51 College Series" in 1911, continued to include basketball cards as part of multi-sport collections. These early cards were acquired through promotional offers, making them rare finds today and a prized piece of sports memorabilia history. The early days of basketball cards laid the foundation for a niche but growing community of collectors.

The 1948 Bowman rookie card showcasing George "Mr. Basketball" Mikan, the first major star of professional basketball.

The Rise of NBA Cards and Iconic Releases

After a pause in production, basketball cards reemerged in 1932 with a set by C.A. Briggs Chocolate, and in 1948, Bowman Gum introduced the first NBA cards, featuring the legendary George Mikan rookie card. Topps entered the market in 1958 and became a mainstay in 1969, while Fleer revolutionized the hobby with its 1986–87 set, which included iconic rookie cards for Michael Jordan and other Hall of Famers. These sets established basketball cards as collectibles, creating a surge of interest and elevating their status among enthusiasts.

Michael Jordan soaring for a dunk on the 1986–87 Fleer basketball card, a prized collectible from his rookie season.

Modern Collecting Trends and High-Value Cards

The 1990s and 2000s saw an explosion of basketball card production by companies like Topps, Fleer, and Upper Deck, offering diverse designs and innovations. In 2009, Panini Group secured an exclusive NBA license, dominating the modern basketball card market. Currently the right basketball cards have evolved into serious investments alongside their role as nostalgic collectibles.

Kansas City’s Sports Cleanout is here for you

Thanks to our extensive knowledge of the sports memorabilia market, we’re able to provide fair and competitive offers for your valuables. Whether it’s game used bats, vintage programs, vintage basketball cards, or hundreds of autographs, we understand the nuances of the industry and are committed to helping you maximize the value of your collection. By choosing Kansas City's Sports Cleanout, you can rest assured that your items will be handled with care and expertise, resulting in a smoother, more rewarding liquidation process.

We are always looking to buy collections of sports memorabilia including vintage cards, sealed boxes and packs, game used items, ticket stubs, and pretty much anything else sports related! Contact SportsCleanout.com today at (816) 810-3639 (call or text). We’re based in Kansas City, Missouri, and travel to other parts of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.