Rookie Cards to Chase from Two Brand-Defining Sets
Topps Chrome Basketball 1996/97 and 2003/04 remain two of the most important in the history of the Chrome product. The inaugural set from ’96/’97 was an early adopter of refractor cards and included essential rookie cards of Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Steve Nash. Meanwhile, ’03/’04 was the Year of The King, with LeBron James rookie cards still an essential part of any basketball collection, along with James’ former teammate Dwayne Wade and former rival Carmelo Anthony. Let’s look at some of the most desirable cards from these two coveted sets.
1996/97 Topps Chrome Basketball Refractor #138 Kobe Bryant RC
the Card
•Clean, bordered design
• Features Kobe wearing his original #8 jersey
• while Kobe Bryant was not at the top of this set upon release, he has come to define it
the story
• has become the top Card of the first-ever Topps chrome basketball set
the career
• Five-time NBA champion
• Two-time NBA scoring champion
• Inducted into NBA Hall of Fame in 2021
2003/04 Topps Chrome Basketball Gold Refractor #111 Lebron James RC /50
THE Card
•Rare gold refractor showing James shooting a jumper
the story
• The most covetable Card of the set defined by James’ rookie season
the career
• leading scorer in NBA history
• Four-time NBA champion
• Four-time NBA MVP
• 20-time NBA all-star
1996/97 Topps Chrome Basketball Refractor #171 Allen Iverson RC
The Card
• prime example of the refractors that helped launch topps chrome basketball to prominence
the story
• most desired Allen Iverson Topps card of all time
the sale
• 1997 nba rookie of the year
• seven-time all-nba team
• four-time nba scoring champion
2003/04 Topps Chrome Basketball Refractor #115 Dwayne Wade RC
the Card
• Dwayne wade with a trademark finish through contact at the basket
the story
• Remains the most sought-after dwayne wade topps RC
the sale
• three-time nba champion
• 13-time nba all-star
• nba finals mvp in 2006
1996/97 Topps Chrome Basketball Refractor #182 Steve Nash RC
The Card
• a young steve nash running the offense in phoenix
the story
• most covetable steve nash topps card of all-time
the career
• two-time nba mvp
• five-time nba assist leader
• eight-time nba all-star
2003/04 Topps Chrome Basketball Gold Refractor #113 Carmelo Anthony RC /50
The story
• carmelo anthony finishing over a double team
the Card
• most desirable carmelo anthony topps card of all time
the sale
• NBA scoring champion in 2013
• 10-time nba all-star
• ncaa champion in 2003
