Top Brands for Must-Have Basketball Cards

Basketball card collecting has become an exciting hobby for enthusiasts and investors alike, offering a blend of nostalgia and potential financial gain. With the market thriving, selecting the right brand is crucial for both beginners and seasoned collectors. Some of the top brands that have consistently stood out include Panini, Upper Deck, and Topps, known for their high-quality prints and exclusive player cards. Curious to learn more about these brands and their offerings? Discover more details below.

Illustration of basketball cards

Best brands of basketball cards in 2025

Panini America

Panini America is a leading producer of basketball cards, having held the exclusive NBA trading card license since the 2009-10 season. The company has expanded its product lineup to include various sports and entertainment brands, such as NFL, UFC, and WWE, and has seen record-level sales, with revenues exceeding a billion dollars. Panini America's products are widely available through both online platforms and traditional retail outlets like Target and Walmart. The company's innovative approaches, including the use of precious metals and autographs, have made their cards highly sought after by collectors. With a significant global presence, Panini America continues to drive growth in the trading card market.

Upper Deck

The Upper Deck Company is a leading producer of basketball cards, renowned for its high-quality and authentic products. In the global sports trading cards market, Upper Deck is a key player, with the autograph cards segment, which includes their products, holding the largest market share at 40.86% in 2022. Upper Deck's commitment to innovation and partnerships has contributed significantly to the market's growth, expected to reach USD 20.48 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 9.01% from 2023 to 2030. Their cards, often featuring legendary players and memorable moments, are highly valued by collectors. The company's focus on product innovations and strategic initiatives has solidified its position in the market.

Topps

Topps, although currently not the dominant force in basketball cards, boasts a rich history and significant impact in the sports trading card market. Until 2009, Topps held the license for NBA basketball cards, and its cards, particularly rookie cards of highly valued NBA stars, remain highly sought after by collectors. In 2020, Topps reported a profit of $92 million on $567 million in revenue, with 65% of its revenue coming from sports and entertainment collectibles. Despite Panini's current dominance in the basketball card market, Topps' historical influence and popularity among collectors are undeniable. The company is considering re-entry into the basketball and football card markets following its recent financial successes. For more details, you can read about their market strategy in this in-depth analysis on Sports Collectors Daily.

Fleer

Fleer was a prominent producer of basketball cards, particularly notable for its exclusive production of basketball cards from 1986 to 1989. The 1986-87 Fleer basketball set is highly revered, especially for the Michael Jordan rookie card, with only 2-3 Jordan cards per box. Fleer's collation during the 80s was excellent, ensuring consistent distribution of cards within boxes. Despite the market glut in the late 1990s, Fleer's early basketball sets remain highly valuable among collectors. The brand's impact on the basketball card market is still felt, with its sets being among the most graded and sought after. For more insights into the size and growth of the basketball card market, check out this detailed analysis.

Donruss

Donruss, a renowned trading card manufacturer, has made significant contributions to the basketball card market. Although Donruss is not as dominant in basketball cards as it once was in baseball, it has still produced notable sets, particularly after its acquisition by Panini in 2009. Panini, now the exclusive licensee for NBA trading cards, has continued to release high-quality basketball card sets, with the market seeing a 12,800% increase in graded cards from 2011 to 2019. Donruss's legacy in sports trading cards is marked by its innovative approaches, such as introducing autographed and limited edition insert cards. The 2023-24 Donruss Basketball cards, for example, feature autographs and exclusive parallels, highlighting the brand's ongoing commitment to quality and collector appeal.

SkyBox

SkyBox International, although not exclusively a basketball card producer, was a significant player in the trading card industry, including basketball cards, from its inception in 1990 to its acquisition by Marvel Entertainment in 1995. The company, initially known as Impel Marketing, was headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, and expanded its sports and entertainment business, appointing Magic Johnson as its spokesperson in 1992. SkyBox was known for its innovative marketing and technological advancements, including the production of CD-ROM collectibles and games. While it did not dominate the basketball card market, its contributions to the broader trading card industry were notable. SkyBox's operations were eventually merged with Fleer to form Fleer/SkyBox International.

Hoops

The Hoops brand is renowned for its significant contribution to the basketball card market, particularly with the 1989-1990 Hoops Michael Jordan #200 card, which is considered one of the most undervalued yet valuable cards in the industry. This card, part of the first year Hoops entered the basketball card market, saw increased print runs but still maintains a high collectible value, with estimates suggesting 3-4 Michael Jordan cards per Series I box. The Hoops brand played a crucial role in the "junk wax" era, despite the lack of precise production numbers. The market for Hoops cards, along with other sports trading cards, is projected to grow significantly, with the global sports trading card market expected to reach USD 23.08 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.80% from 2024 to 2031. For more insights on this exciting collectible market, read The Investment Case: The 1989-1990 Hoops Michael Jordan.

Leaf

Leaf Trading Cards stands out as a premier producer of basketball cards, with a focus on building long-term relationships with athletes and their families, rather than just transactional deals. This approach has enabled Leaf to secure exclusive autographs from promising young athletes, including top college and potentially professional quarterbacks, making their cards highly valuable for collectors. The company's model emphasizes accessibility, offering retail boxes starting at $20, alongside higher-end releases like the Eclectic baseball box retailing at $140, ensuring there's an affordable option for all collectors. Autograph cards, which hold a significant market share of around 40.86% in the sports trading card market, are a key focus for Leaf, contributing to the company's growth and customer satisfaction. For an exclusive look into Leaf Trading Cards with President Josh Pankow, you can explore more insights into their innovative approach and collector offerings.

Sportscard Guaranty

Sportscard Guaranty (SGC) is a prominent player in the sports card grading market, particularly notable for its rigorous and consistent grading standards. In 2023, SGC graded 1.2 million items, with a 29% increase from the previous year, and it finished third overall in the grading services market. SGC is favored by many collectors for its accurate and consistent grading, often awarding grades that are at least a full grade difference from those of PSA, especially for vintage cards. For sports cards, SGC graded 1.1 million of its total items, with a significant focus on sports and miscellaneous categories. SGC's strict grading criteria, such as awarding an SGC 10 or better only 26% of the time, contribute to its reputation as a tough but fair grader. For more details, visit their official website.

Beckett Grading Services

Beckett Grading Services (BGS) is renowned for its high-quality grading of basketball cards, despite recent challenges. In 2023, BGS graded 770,000 cards, with a significant focus on high-end basketball cards and other niche areas like TCG and Topps Now. Notably, BGS awarded a 9.5 or better grade 45% of the time, with 30% of those being sports cards. However, BGS has experienced a 43% year-over-year decline in grading activity, partly due to recent legal issues involving its owner. Nonetheless, BGS's Black Label and Pristine 10 grades remain highly valued among collectors. For further insights into the current status of BGS, refer to this report on Beckett Grading's recent performance.