The 2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball release has landed with the kind of triumphant reception you might expect from a sold-out concert featuring the biggest pop stars of the moment. Hitting the market only a week ago, it has already demonstrated its ability to turn collectors into enthusiastic participants, reminiscent of fans at a rock concert trying to catch a coveted drumstick throw.
Leading the charge are the eye-popping “Let’s Go” SSPs which offer collectors a dazzling trip down memory lane. With a splash of ’90s flair, these inserts do more than tug at nostalgia—they dig deep into collectors’ pockets. Steph Curry’s energized insert recently dazzled its way to a $200 sale on eBay, while LeBron James’ insert, which seems to echo the slam-dunk moments we’ve come to expect from him, achieved an eye-opening $130. Victor Wembanyama, a relative newcomer who already carries the weight of big expectations on his shoulders, saw his “Let’s Go” insert saunter off the digital marketplace for a respectable $120. Not too shabby considering the ink is barely dry on the product release.
True to form, no high-profile card set would be complete without the glint of precious autographs which combine a hint of celebrity allure with the thrill of scarcity. LeBron James autographs, draped in scarcity as suits their maestro, are as rare as sensible refereeing in the last seconds of a playoff game. Only two have been sighted in the wild, both tentatively put out there at $2,500 with a private seller’s quiet nod of acceptance for undisclosed offers. In a similarly golden hue, Victor Wembanyama’s gold /10 autograph emerged into the collector’s kingdom, closing near $800—a price for only the most loyal subjects. Meanwhile, rookies like Bronny James Jr., whose burgeoning potential has already piqued curiosity, found his autograph fetching $145 with ease. Alexandre Sarr, another hopeful of future endeavors, contributed his ink to the market for a smooth $110.
The crème de la crème of any chrome series, however, are always the Superfractors, those glittering, one-of-a-kind marvels that serve as a status symbol amongst collectors. The Trae Young 1-of-1 was the first heralded banner to hit the block. Its auction, ending at $172, might suggest a steal given the positive momentum and head-spinning hype that often dances around these glimmery icons.
Then, there are the hobby boxes themselves, still basking in the affordability glow, priced modestly between $150 to $200. It’s a price tag that beckons both the weekend enthusiasts, hoping for a splash on a Saturday enrichment, and the thrill-seekers ready to risk for reward in the cardboard jungle. The accessibility of these boxes plays a harmonious tune for Topps Chrome, striking a sweet note that echoes through collectors’ circles.
In an industry fueled by passion and guided by both the old guard of veterans and the new blood of rookie prospects, the 2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball set has injected fresh excitement into the arena. The vibrant “Let’s Go” SSPs, high demand autographs, and the ever-dominant lure of the Superfractors are dazzling the scene, making it a heavy-hitter and a darling of the season merely a week past its debut. As the secondary market becomes bustling with this fresh influx, it sparks waves of trading and collecting fever reminiscent of a last-second, game-winning three-pointer. Keep your eyes peeled, because this set is marking its territory and collectors are eager to claim their piece of the intrigue.
