How to Collect | The Memphis Grizzlies

The Greats of Grit and Grind and Beyond

Three decades since joining the NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies have built a culture of toughness and heart. From Pau Gasol’s early rise to Ja Morant’s explosive era, collectors can chase the team’s evolution through Topps Chrome and Bowman Basketball releases.

The ethos of Grit and Grind helped set a foundation while building a special relationship with the city of Memphis. Let’s take a look at just some of the ways to collect the Grizzlies.

Memphis Grizzlies collectors can explore Topps Chrome cards of franchise icons like Pau and Marc Gasol, Mike Conley Jr., and Ja Morant. From “Grit and Grind” legends to rising stars, this guide highlights top rookie cards, parallels, and how each era shaped Memphis hobby culture.

Jump to Section:

• Collecting the Grizzlies in 2025
• Mount Rushmore
• Grit ‘n Grind Grizzlies
• Star is Born in Memphis
• Gasol Brothers
• Before Memphis
• Modern Core
• Collecting Your Way
• FAQs
• Key Facts

Collecting the Grizzlies in 2025

The Memphis Grizzlies have gone younger after a recent retool of the roster, offering an intriguing checklist for collectors of the team. From star duo Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. to a pair of second-year prospects, to a versatile rookie, 2025-26 Topps Basketball has plenty on offer.

Ja Morant remains one of the NBA’s most popular and entertaining players, and he can be chased through parallels, variations, combo cards, and relics. His Player Number Variation card is limited to only 12 copies. 2023 DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 1980/81 Topps Basketball appearance includes an auto version, and JJJ is also taking part in the Fanatics Authentic Redemption program.

The Grizzlies hit in last year’s draft, and Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells look set for even bigger roles this season. Both young Memphis prospects are available in base, parallel, and variation cards.

The 11th overall NBA Draft pick in 2025, Cedric Coward is the Grizzlies’ rookie to chase in this year’s release. The lottery pick appears in rookie-centric inserts like No Limit, Generation Now, and more. Coward has a fun chase card in case-hit insert Comic Court. Autos of the rookie are also available.

The Grizzlies have reconfigured and hope to climb to the top of the Western Conference. As this transition continues, collectors have a great range of players to chase in 2025-26 Topps Basketball: All-Stars, prospects, and a rookie who could be one of the steals of this year’s draft.

Memphis Grizzlies Mount Rushmore

Few duos represent grit better than Pau Gasol and Mike Conley Jr.

• 2001 Topps Chrome #131 Pau Gasol Black Refractor /50 – Rookie brilliance and Rookie of the Year season.
• 2007 Topps Chrome #11 Mike Conley Jr. Refractor /499 – Playmaker behind the franchise’s playoff success.

Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph added muscle and defensive intensity:

• 2008 Topps Chrome #212 Marc Gasol Gold Refractor /50 – Big-man anchor of the “Grit and Grind” defense.
• 2001 Topps Chrome #147 Zach Randolph Refractor RC – The heart of Memphis toughness.

2001 Topps Chrome Basketball #131 Pau Gasol Black Refractor RC /50

2007 Topps Chrome Basketball #111 Mike Conley Jr. Refractor RC /1499

2008 Topps Chrome Basketball #212 Marc Gasol Gold Refractor RC /50

2001 Topps Chrome Basketball #147 Zach Randolph Refractor RC

Grit n’ Grind Grizzlies

Between 2010 and 2017, Memphis became synonymous with relentless defense and blue-collar energy. Randolph, Conley, and Marc Gasol powered seven straight playoff appearances and three consecutive 50+ win seasons, cementing one of the NBA’s most beloved team identities.

The trio of Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, and Mike Conley led the way, and all are major pieces of Grizzlies cards to collect. Fan favorite defensive demon and six-time All-Defense selection Tony Allen could work crowds into a frenzy, and he was rewarded by having his number raised to the rafters.

Allen’s Bowman Basketball card from his start in Boston is an intriguing addition to a team collection. Randolph’s 2003 Finest Gold Refractor sold for $300 in August 2025

Rudy Gay was another integral piece in the rise of Grit and Grind, providing offensive firepower to go along with the team’s phenomenal defense.

A Star is Born in Memphis

Pau Gasol came to the NBA after a remarkable start to his career, winning two FIBA Europe Player of the Year awards. Drafted by the Hawks but sent to Vancouver, who then moved to Memphis, it took a minute, but it was well worth the wait. 

Gasol showed remarkable poise, footwork, and skill right from the jump. At only 21, he averaged 17.8 PPG and 8.9 RPG while shooting 52% from the floor, taking home the NBA Rookie of the Year award. His 2001 Topps Pristine card shows Gasol wearing an Atlanta hat before his trade to the Grizzlies became official.

All told, Gasol played six seasons with Memphis before heading to Los Angeles, where he would win two titles.

A Trade of Brothers

The blockbuster trade that sent Gasol to Tinseltown saw the Spaniard leave a parting gift, as his brother Marc was sent back to Memphis.

A stalwart defensive presence and efficient scoring big, Marc Gasol was the perfect fit for Grit and Grind, and he helped elevate the Grizzlies to contender status. His 2008 Topps Chrome RC warrants serious consideration for any Memphis collector. He, too, had his jersey retired with the franchise.

Before Memphis was Home

The Grizzlies were born in Vancouver and stayed in Canada for six seasons. Bryant “Big Country” Reeves, a beloved college star with Oklahoma State, was the team’s first-ever draft pick in 1995. He made his Chrome debut in the first-ever Basketball set from the premium brand.

The franchise’s first star was the third overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. Shareef Abdur-Rahim played five seasons in Vancouver, averaging 20 or more points per game four times. His most valuable RCs can be found in Topps Finest and as part of the first-ever Chrome Basketball set, released in 1996.

In a loaded rookie class including legends Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Steve Nash, Abdur-Rahim finished third in ROY voting behind AI and Stephon Marbury. 

The Modern Core

Today, Memphis is led by one of the most electrifying athletes in modern basketball history. Ja Morant led the 2021/22 Grizzlies to a franchise record-tying 56 wins as he took home the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.

Today, he forms a duo entering their primes with 2023 DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr. Both players will have cards to chase across new and upcoming Topps Basketball releases.

Collecting History Your Way

Memphis is only getting started. The young franchise has found a home in Tennessee and developed a unique bond with its loyal fanbase. A strong organization and amazing player development program give the franchise a bright future.

Teams like the Grit and Grind-era Griz have laid a foundation of competitiveness and fearlessness that have endeared the team to the city. The past and present offer collectors a ton of opportunities to put together a compelling team collection.

Memphis Grizzlies Collector FAQs

• What are the best Memphis Grizzlies cards to collect?
  • The most sought-after cards include Pau Gasol’s 2001 Topps Chrome RC, Marc Gasol’s 2008 Gold Refractor, and Ja Morant’s 2019 Topps Chrome parallels.
• Which era defines the Grizzlies’ collecting legacy?
  • The “Grit and Grind” years (2010–2017) remain iconic for their defensive stars and playoff toughness.
• What modern Grizzlies cards should I chase?
  • Focus on Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. in Topps Chrome Basketball and Bowman releases.
• When did the franchise begin?
  • The Grizzlies debuted in 1995 as the Vancouver Grizzlies before relocating to Memphis in 2001.
• Are early Grizzlies cards valuable?
  • Yes—Shareef Abdur-Rahim’s 1996 Topps Finest RC and Pau Gasol’s 2001 Chrome RC are still hobby favorites.

Key Facts

• Franchise began as the Vancouver Grizzlies (1995).
• “Grit and Grind” era defined by Conley, Randolph, Gasol brothers.
• Pau Gasol: 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year.
• Marc Gasol: 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
• Ja Morant: 2022 Most Improved Player.

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