1st Bowmans to Collect
In the world of Bowman U Chrome Basketball, Topps’ Chrome excellence meets the anticipation of collecting 1st Bowmans. In the trading card realm, the significance of Bowman U Chrome BK goes beyond buckets, capturing the essence of budding talent before they step into the NBA or WNBA spotlight. As the cradle of college players and international prospects, Bowman U Chrome BK unfolds the narrative of dreams taking shape. Topps’ Chrome products add a layer of brilliance, turning these cards into gleaming gems that reflect the journey from collegiate courts to professional arenas. In this curated list, we delve into the heartbeat of the game, showcasing the best prospects to collect for 2024, a year that features several talents who could one day shape American professional hoops.
Top 1st Bowmans to Collect
2023-24 Bowman U Chrome #26 Hannah Hidalgo 1st Bowman
In 2023, Hidalgo arrived in South Bend after a storied high school career that earned her New Jersey’s Gatorade Player of the Year honors and the No. 5 ranking among prep basketball recruits, according to ESPN Hoop Gurlz. The 5-foot-6 freshman joined the Fighting Irish and instantly made her mark, setting a school record for most points by a player in their debut following a 31-point effort against collegiate juggernaut South Carolina. She has since led the conference in scoring, averaging 24.2 points — third-best in Division 1 women’s basketball — and tied a program record with eight games of at least six steals. Guess what, ladies and gentlemen? She’s only played in 15 games so far. The sky is the limit for Hidalgo, and her place in Bowman U Chrome and as one of collegiate basketball’s top two-way stars is solidified.
2023-24 Bowman U Chrome #16 Cody Williams 1st Bowman
Williams is the younger brother of budding Oklahoma City star Jalen Williams. And just like big bro, the younger Williams boasts a well-rounded game and the chops to become a first-round pick. The former five-star pick pulled up in Boulder as one of the biggest recruits in program history and has validated that claim, averaging 14.1 points on a scorching 56.0 percent shooting from the field in his first nine games of 2023-24 and leading a dangerous Buffaloes team destined for an NCAA Tournament appearance. This season will probably be Williams’ lone year in college, which only adds to the appeal of his 1st Bowman. He won’t be in Bowman U next year.
2023-24 Bowman U Chrome #75 Cameron Brink 1st Bowman
Brink’s list of collegiate accomplishments read like a Harry Potter novel. The multi-time All-American, NCAA Champion and WBCA Defensive Player of the Year Award winner, to name a few of her accolades, stands tall and talented, having stuffed the stat sheet and stacked the trophies throughout her sensational career at Stanford. This may be Brink’s first Bowman, but this won’t be the last time her name rings bells throughout the sports world. She’s projected to go in the top three of this year’s WNBA Draft.
2023-24 Bowman U Chrome #96 Isaiah Collier 1st Bowman
The 2023 class’ consensus top recruit and Georgia’s Mr. Basketball, Collier slid to the West Coast for college, leaving GA’s red clay for palm trees in LA, joining a loaded USC squad that created a ton of hype entering the college basketball season. In his first season at USC, Collier has impressed with his combination of athleticism, skill and size (6-foot-5) at the point guard position, muscling opponents to the rim and wowing crowds with his aerial acrobatics, court vision and speed in the open floor. He’s projected as a lottery pick in the 2024 draft and should be in the conversation as a top-five pick once the campaign ends.
2023-24 Bowman U Chrome #25 Hailey Van Lith 1st Bowman
Van Lith, who boasts just under a million Instagram followers, became a household name at Louisville, where she seized the starting point guard spot as a freshman and led the Cardinal to the Elite Eight in three consecutive campaigns, including a Final Four appearance in 2021-22. In her final season with the program in 2022-23, she exceed 1,500 points for her career and joined Iowa’s Caitlyn Clark as one of two players nationally to average at least 19 points, four boards and three assists. Following her junior campaign, Van Lith hit the transfer portal, choosing to finish her collegiate career with Angel Reese and defending national champion LSU. Shoutout to Van Lith and her first Bowman.
