Blast From the Past Inserts
2024-25 Topps Chrome® Basketball has lots to chase when it comes to inserts. While many are modern spins, there are three nods to the ‘90s on the checklist.
These showcase not only some early Topps Chrome chase sets, but they’re also a reminder of the era’s stars and legends, not to mention some of the prospects who didn’t pan out as expected.
Youthquake
Youthquake is one of three insert sets in 1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball, the brand’s debut. The checklist features 15 cards, all of which were young up-and-comers at the time. Youthquake cards land 1:12 packs or approximately two per box.
The set made the jump from the flagship 1996-97 Topps Basketball release, where non-Chrome versions were 1:36 in Series 2 retail packs.
Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson are, by far, the most valuable cards in the set. Both were in their rookie seasons when the cards came out.
1996-97 Topps Chrome Youthquake Checklist
YQ1 Allen Iverson – Philadelphia 76ers
YQ2 Samaki Walker – Dallas Mavericks
YQ3 Stephon Marbury – Minnesota Timberwolves
YQ4 Damon Stoudamire – Toronto Raptors
YQ5 John Wallace – New York Knicks
YQ6 Michael Finley – Phoenix Suns
YQ7 Marcus Camby – Toronto Raptors
YQ8 Kerry Kittles – New Jersey Nets
YQ9 Ray Allen – Milwaukee Bucks
YQ10 Jerry Stackhouse – Philadelphia 76ers
YQ11 Shareef Abdur-Rahim – Vancouver Grizzlies
YQ12 Antonio McDyess – Denver Nuggets
YQ13 Joe Smith – Golden State Warriors
YQ14 Brent Barry – Los Angeles Clippers
YQ15 Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers
Rock Stars
Rock Stars first appeared in 1997-98 Topps Basketball. Landing 1:36 Series 1 packs, the highlight of these is the die-cut shape along the top. It takes the rock metaphor and makes it more literal with its graphics. The result? A look and theme that’s distinct, a common trait of the most memorable late ‘90s inserts.
Although 1997-98 Topps Rock Stars don’t fall under the Chrome banner, the cards do have additional Refractor parallels. These are four times as tough with 1:144 pack odds.
The 20-card checklist is loaded with Hall of Famers and legends, including Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal.
1997-98 Topps Rock Stars Checklist
RS1 Michael Jordan – Chicago Bulls
RS2 Jerry Stackhouse – Philadelphia 76ers
RS3 Chris Webber – Washington Wizards
RS4 Charles Barkley – Houston Rockets
RS5 Dennis Rodman – Chicago Bulls
RS6 Anfernee Hardaway – Orlando Magic
RS7 Juwan Howard – Washington Bullets
RS8 Tim Hardaway – Miami Heat
RS9 Gary Payton – Seattle SuperSonics
RS10 Dikembe Mutombo – Atlanta Hawks
RS11 Tom Gugliotta – Minnesota Timberwolves
RS12 Kevin Garnett – Minnesota Timberwolves
RS13 Shaquille O’Neal – Los Angeles Lakers
RS14 Hakeem Olajuwon – Houston Rockets
RS15 Grant Hill – Detroit Pistons
RS16 Karl Malone – Utah Jazz
RS17 Damon Stoudamire – Toronto Raptors
RS18 Shawn Kemp – Seattle SuperSonics
RS19 Alonzo Mourning – Miami Heat
RS20 Scottie Pippen – Chicago Bulls
Destiny
1997-98 Topps Chrome Destiny set utilizes statistics to compare rookies and other younger players to their contemporaries at the time. For example, you can see how Shaq stacks up through his first five seasons against Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson.
One of the set’s 15 cards appears every 12 packs, with Refractors falling 1:48 packs. A non-Chrome version of Destiny is also in 1997-98 Topps Series 2 retail packs.
1997-98 Topps Chrome Destiny Checklist
D1 Grant Hill – Detroit Pistons
D2 Kevin Garnett – Minnesota Timberwolves
D3 Vin Baker – Seattle SuperSonics
D4 Antoine Walker – Boston Celtics
D5 Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers
D6 Tracy McGrady – Toronto Raptors
D7 Keith Van Horn – New Jersey Nets
D8 Tim Duncan – San Antonio Spurs
D9 Eddie Jones – Los Angeles Lakers
D10 Stephon Marbury – Minnesota Timberwolves
D11 Marcus Camby – Toronto Raptors
D12 Antonio McDyess – Denver Nuggets
D13 Shareef Abdur-Rahim – Vancouver Grizzlies
D14 Allen Iverson – Philadelphia 76ers
D15 Shaquille O’Neal – Los Angeles Lakers
