It’s a brisk morning at the virtual swap meet, and the fervor is palpable. Just a week after its debut, the 2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball has shot straight up the charts of collector must-haves. Like Steph Curry’s hand on a scorching shooting spree, the market fizzes with anticipation, eager hands ripping into hobby boxes, and prices soaring in every corner of the internet.
The initial jewel in this cardboard crown is undoubtedly the “Let’s Go” SSPs. These vibrant inserts are not just a testament to their eye-catching ‘90s allure, but they’ve also become financial goldmines. The holographic grin of Steph Curry—towering over his competition on cardboard—recently commanded a princely $200 on eBay. His regal rival, LeBron James, was no slouch either, with his iteration valued around $130. And then there’s Wemby, that young basketball ingenue whose “Let’s Go” card seduced someone into parting with $120. Not bad for a fledgling product just nudging past its premiere weekend.
Venturing further into this realm of collectible delight, autograph enthusiasts are finding treasures worthy of their penchant for ink. LeBron James autographs have been as tantalizing as rare jewels barely glimpsed, with only two unearthed, both tickets to a high-stakes game priced at $2,500 each—best offers, of course, being a collector’s polite gamble. Meanwhile, Wembanyama’s gold /10 autograph closed in thrilling fashion near $800—a glittering testament to the intoxicating mix of rarity and allure.
Rookies are the breath of fresh optimism in any draft or, in this case, card set. Bronny James Jr.’s autograph broke ground at a cool $145, and Alexandre Sarr added his mark to the annals of promising hope at $110. It is a devilish mix of hype and legitimate chase potential that keeps enthusiasts riveted.
And then there are the Superfractors—these are the enigmatic crown jewels of the set, the ultimate symbols of card collecting prestige. Although many remain elusive specters awaiting their discovery, one bold Trae Young 1-of-1 has already made a splash, selling at auction for $172. Calling this a bargain might be akin to whispering secrets to kings; the price bears the potential for flight well beyond its current value, especially as more collectors dive into the hunt.
Hobby boxes, usually the gateway for many to Taste the Chrome, remain financially welcoming, nestling between $150 and $200 depending on one’s source. It is a price point that beckons both the casual enthusiast and the dedicated chaser, like a pied piper leading collectors down their chosen paths.
As the dust settles on the first whirlwind week, the re-emergence of Topps Chrome Basketball into the collector’s limelight is as clear as a flawless reflective card surface. Its multicolored inserts, the hush-worthy autographs, and a trove of rare parallels still tucked away in unopened packs set the stage. It is shaping up to be one of the season’s premier spectacles—like a highly-anticipated opening night on the cards stage—and it appears that collectors are not just noticing, but reveling with glee.
For those poised on the sidelines or refreshingly knee-deep in active pursuit, it’s a delightful season of anticipation and discovery. Every box opened, every card revealed, feels like a secret unveiled and a triumph celebrated. The early tremors hint at an avalanche of collector enthusiasm that promises to build into a crescendo as epic trade-offs and glorious finds continue to ripple across the realm of card trading. Topps Chrome has returned with panache, and this collector’s journey is one the enthusiasts wouldn’t miss for the world.
