Top 5 Basketball Card Sales of 2025

bradyjskinger
Feb 25
3 min read

Updated: Jun 30

Links to other top 5 player articles:

Top 5 Michael Jordan Card Sales All-Time

1. 2003 UD Exquisite Collection Gold Parallel RPA LeBron James /23 BGS 8.5/Auto 10

Price: $1,220,000 (2/22/25)

The 2003 UD Exquisite Collection Gold Parallel RPA LeBron James /23 is one of the most prestigious and sought-after rookie patch autographs in existence. As a parallel of the legendary Exquisite RPA, this card takes exclusivity to another level, with only 23 copies produced—a nod to LeBron’s iconic jersey number. While the standard RPA (/99) is already considered the most important modern basketball card, the gold version’s extreme scarcity elevates it into true grail territory for high-end collectors. This particular copy, graded BGS 8.5 with a 10 auto, remains in strong condition given the set’s notoriously fragile edges and chipping-prone foil design.

2. 2009 UD Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autograph LeBron James-Kobe Bryant 1/1 PSA 6.5/Auto 9

Price: $1,161,440 (6/14/25)

3. 2003 UD Exquisite Collection RPA LeBron James /99 BGS 9.5/Auto 10

Price: $1,159,000 (3/29/25)

The 2003 UD Exquisite Collection RPA LeBron James /99 is a classic and rarely comes available in a BGS 9.5 grade. To date, no Exquisite Lebron RPA has been graded higher and its unlikely any of those examples has a patch better than this one.Exquisite RPAs of LeBron have consistently sold for seven figures, with the highest-graded examples setting records for modern basketball cards. Given LeBron’s GOAT-level legacy and the enduring significance of the Exquisite brand, this /23 Gold RPA will always be one of the most valuable and revered cards in the entire hobby.

4. 2023 Panini Prizm Nebula Choice Prizm Victor Wembanyama 1/1 PSA 9

Price: $860,100 (2/22/25)

The 2023 Panini Prizm Nebula Choice Prizm Victor Wembanyama 1/1 is one of the most significant rookie parallels from his debut Prizm release. As a one-of-one, the Nebula parallel carries extreme rarity, but its appeal goes beyond just scarcity. The Nebula Prizm first appeared in 2018 as an Asia-exclusive parallel, quickly becoming one of the most visually striking and sought-after cards in modern collecting. While it doesn’t hold the same prestige as the true Black Prizm 1/1, it is still considered one of the top-tier rookie chase cards for any player.

Graded a PSA 9, this Wembanyama rookie maintains strong condition, which is crucial given Prizm’s tendency for centering and surface flaws. As the most hyped NBA prospect since LeBron James, Wembanyama’s market is already producing record-breaking sales, and a one-of-one parallel from Prizm’s Choice product line solidifies this card as a premier collectible.

5. 1997 E-X2001 Essential Credentials Now Allen Iverson /3 PSA 5

Price: $701,500 (1/31/25)

The 1997 E-X2001 Essential Credentials Now Allen Iverson /3 is one of the rarest and most significant parallels ever produced for the Hall of Fame guard. With just three copies in existence, this card represents the pinnacle of Iverson’s 90s inserts, combining extreme scarcity with the bold, futuristic acetate design that made the E-X2001 set so iconic. Low-numbered parallels were still a rarity in the late 90s, making this one of the earliest examples of true short-print chase cards, adding to its legendary status among collectors.

Despite receiving a PSA 5 grade, the card remains highly coveted. Chipping, surface wear, and acetate clouding are common issues with Essential Credentials cards, making high-grade copies nearly impossible to find.