Dennis Rodman joins the 2025-26 Topps NBA Living Set

The Worm Joins the Topps NBA Living Set

Date: Mar 2, 2026

Topics: 2025-26 Topps Living Set, Basketball, Dennis Rodman, Feature, NBA, Product, Topps NBA Living Set, Trending

Length: 924 Words

Reading Time: ~5 Minutes

Few players in NBA history have blended dominance, disruption, and unapologetic individuality quite like Dennis Rodman. Now, the Hall of Famer known as much for his rebounding titles as for his ever-changing hair color becomes the latest addition to the 2025-26 Topps Living Set®, a release that celebrates basketball’s most iconic figures in a timeless, hand illustrated format.

Dennis Rodman joins the 2025-26 Topps NBA Living Set®, a hand-illustrated NBA trading card series inspired by the 1957-58 Topps Basketball design. The Hall of Famer’s card celebrates his five championships, rebounding titles, and cultural impact, making it a standout addition for collectors building the ongoing Living Set® checklist.

For Topps Brand Manager Francis, Rodman was an obvious choice. When asked what made the star forward such a perfect for for the Living Set®, the answer was simple: “His legendary career on and off the court.”

That duality — relentless competitor and cultural lightning rod — is precisely what gives Rodman’s card added weight within the expanding NBA Living Set® checklist.

A Legacy Bigger than the Box Score

Rodman’s resume speaks for itself. He is a five-time NBA champion, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, seven-time rebounding champion, and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. But as Francis points out, Rodman’s impact stretches well beyond statistics.

“I think his iconic lifestyle outside of basketball makes him a more compelling player,” Francis said.

From his fearless defense with the Detroit Pistons to his pivotal role alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during the Chicago Bulls’ second three-peat, Rodman was essential to one of the greatest eras in NBA history. Yet it was his bold fashion choices, dyed hair, tattoos, and larger-than-life persona that made him a global pop culture figure.

That combination of championships and counterculture gives Rodman’s Living Set® card a distinct resonance.

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Built for the Living Set® Spotlight

The Topps Living Set® is designed to spotlight players whose stories transcend eras. Unlike traditional sets tied to a single season, the Living Set™ begins with Card #1 and has no final card. It is not anchored to a specific year. It evolves continuously, growing week after week. As Francis describes it, it is the first cross-generational product that can be collected and traded for years to come.

The NBA concept is modeled after the historic and beloved 1957-58 Topps Basketball design, paying tribute to vintage aesthetics while building a modern, ongoing checklist.

Rodman fits that ethos perfectly.

“His card will stick out more than any other player’s,” Francis said when discussing how Rodman translates into the Living Set® design style, citing, “his overall look and personality, the hair, tattoos and just all around wild character.”

In a set defined by classic, hand-illustrated artwork, Rodman’s unmistakable visual identity offers something rare: instant recognition. Even in a lineup filled with legends, his presence demands attention.

Art that Captures the Era

The Topps NBA Living Set® artwork is created exclusively by artist Angel S. Aviles, who previously made his mark on the Topps Baseball Living Set®. According to Francis, bringing Aviles to basketball was an easy decision.

“He did such an amazing job on baseball that we thought he would be perfect to take on basketball,” Francis said. “His artwork never disappoints.”

Aviles’ hand-illustrated style channels the spirit of the 1957-58 Topps Basketball release while giving each subject a fresh, detailed interpretation. For a player like Rodman, whose image evolved constantly throughout his career, that artistic approach adds another layer of storytelling.

More than a Card; A Cultural Marker

Featuring a Hall of Famer like Rodman is not just about adding another name to the checklist. It’s about broadening what the set represents.

“It introduces personality and cultural context rather than just stats,” Francis said.

Rodman was not merely part of the NBA’s golden era. He helped define its attitude. His rebounding tenacity, defensive versatility, and willingness to embrace individuality made him unforgettable. For collectors building the full Living Set® run, leaving Rodman out would leave a gap in basketball’s narrative. “You can’t tell the story of the greatest era of basketball without Dennis Rodman,” Francis said.

With the 2025-26 Topps NBA Living Set® Dennis Rodman card now available online, collectors have the opportunity to add a piece that embodies championships, individuality and the unmistakable energy of 1990s basketball.

2025-26 Topps NBA Living Set Collector FAQs

What is the Topps NBA Living Set®?
- The Topps Living Set® is an ongoing trading card series that starts with Card #1 and has no final card. New players are added regularly, creating a continuously expanding checklist inspired by the 1957-58 Topps Basketball design.
Why is Dennis Rodman in the 2025-26 Topps NBA Living Set®?
- Dennis Rodman was selected for his Hall of Fame career, five NBA championships, seven rebounding titles, and lasting cultural influence during the 1990s NBA era.
Who creates the NBA Living Set® artwork?
- The NBA Living Set® artwork is hand-illustrated by artist Angel S. Aviles, known for his work on the Topps Baseball Living Set® series.
What makes the Dennis Rodman Living Set® card unique?
- Rodman’s bold style, distinctive hair, and larger-than-life personality translate perfectly to the hand-illustrated format, making his card visually distinctive within the NBA Living Set® checklist.