Top 7 Most Expensive Basketball Cards In The World

Basketball cards have become highly sought-after collectibles among sports enthusiasts and collectors. These cards often feature the most iconic basketball players in history and are known for their rarity, condition, and historical significance.

The factors contributing to the high prices of these basketball cards are rarity, player popularity, historical significance, condition, and the overall demand in the market. Additionally, cards that capture a player's rookie season or significant moments in their career tend to hold a higher value.

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Here we would like to share with you the top 7 most expensive basketball cards in the world ever sold.

7. Giannis Antetokounmpo Autographed Panini National Treasures #130 ($1.86 Million)

The Giannis Antetokounmpo Autographed Panini National Treasures card is one of the most coveted and expensive basketball cards featuring the Milwaukee Bucks superstar. The Panini National Treasures brand is known for producing high-end basketball cards that are highly sought after by collectors.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, often referred to as "The Greek Freak," is widely regarded as one of the best basketball players in the world. This card features an authentic signature from the player himself.

With a Beckett grade of 9, the card was sold in a 2020 auction for the price of $1.86 million.

6. Metal Universe Kobe Bryant Precious Metal Gems – Emerald #81 ($2 Million)

The Metal Universe Kobe Bryant Precious Metal Gems – Emerald card is an incredibly valuable and sought-after basketball card featuring the late Los Angeles Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant.

The card stands out due to its striking emerald green color, which serves as the background for Bryant's image. The card features an action shot of Kobe, capturing his dynamic style of play and intensity on the court. The emerald green hue, combined with the image of the legendary player, creates a visually stunning and highly desirable collectible.

The Metal Universe brand, produced by SkyBox, is known for its visually stunning and innovative designs. The passing away of Kobe Bryan has led to a substantial increase in the card's value and despite receiving an 8.5 grade, the card for sold in a 2022 auction for $2 million.

5. Panini Flawless Triple Logoman Patch LeBron James #3LGLBJ ($2.4 Million)

The Panini Flawless Triple Logoman Patch LeBron James card is considered one of the most prestigious and expensive basketball cards in existence. The Triple Logoman Patch card is a standout within the collection, as it features three separate Logoman patches—a distinctive emblem showcasing the NBA logo—from LeBron James' game-worn jerseys.

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The rarity of this card significantly contributes to its astronomical value. It is believed that only one Triple Logoman Patch card was produced for each player included in the set. The card was sold at the Goldin Auctions in 2022 with a price tag of $2.4 Million.

4. Upper Deck Michael Jordan All Star Game Used Jersey #GJ13 ($2.7 Million)

Michael Jordan, often referred to as the greatest basketball player of all time, had a storied career that included numerous accolades and iconic moments. His performances in the NBA All-Star Games were legendary, and his impact on the game during these events is widely celebrated.

The Upper Deck All-Star Game Used Jersey offers fans an opportunity to own a piece of that history. The jersey is authenticated by Upper Deck, a reputable sports memorabilia company, which ensures that it is an authentic game-used jersey worn by Michael Jordan during an NBA All-Star Game.

The card was sold to an anonymous buyer for $2.7 million.

3. One-Of-A-Kind Luka Dončić Autographed Panini National Treasures #127 ($4.6 Million)

This unique card holds significant value due to its exclusivity, the autograph of the young phenom Luka Dončić, and its association with the renowned Panini National Treasures brand.

Luka Dončić, a Slovenian basketball prodigy, has taken the NBA by storm with his exceptional skills, court vision, and maturity beyond his years. The demand for Dončić's memorabilia, particularly items featuring his autograph, has skyrocketed.

As the name suggests, only a single copy of this card exists, making it an extraordinarily exclusive item. Luka Dončić's Autographed Panini National Treasures rookie card fetched an astounding $4.6 million when it was unveiled on his 22nd birthday, which took place on February 28, 2021.

This was considered the most expensive basketball card ever sold at the time.

2. LeBron James Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Card #78 ($5.2 Million)

This particular card holds immense value among collectors and enthusiasts due to its connection to the legendary player, LeBron James, and its status as a premier collectible within the Upper Deck Exquisite Collection.

Released in 2003, this card captures LeBron James' rookie season in the NBA, marking the beginning of his illustrious career. In April 2021, the LeBron James Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Card #78 was sold for a whopping $5.2 million to an unknown buyer.

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The LeBron James Exquisite Collection Rookie Card is often regarded as the holy grail of basketball card collecting.

1. Stephen Curry Autographed National Treasures Logoman Rookie Card #206 ($5.9 Million)

This remarkable collectible holds immense significance among sports enthusiasts, basketball fans, and avid collectors due to its rarity, the autograph of the Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, and its association with the prestigious National Treasures brand.

The Autographed Logoman Rookie Card takes the desirability of this subset to another level by including Stephen Curry's signature. With only one of them in existence, this super rare card was sold in 2021 for a hefty $5.9 million making it the most expensive basketball card in the world.

Despite having a PSA grade of 8, that did not stop from someone purchasing for an astounding price.

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