King James’ Best with the Brand
As he approaches 41, LeBron James continues to command the basketball court and The Hobby the same way he has since entering the league. His 2025–26 return included a vintage 12-assist double-double, and a new wave of Topps Basketball cards puts a spotlight on the King’s greatest moments for collectors.
LeBron James’ Hobby legacy spans Topps NOW®, Chrome, and flagship Topps Basketball releases, highlighted by 2003–04 rookie cards, 2025–26 Topps NOW® milestones, All Kings inserts, and premium autographs. Collectors can chase parallels, autos, and short prints featuring one of the most celebrated players of all time.
Why LeBron Remains a Cornerstone of The Hobby
For over two decades, LeBron has been a fixture in basketball trading cards. From Chrome rookies to milestone Topps NOW® cards, his catalog offers collectors everything from low-numbered refractors to premium autographs. Key current chases include 2024 Olympic Games Topps NOW®, 2025 NBA Topps NOW®, and 2025–26 Topps Basketball.
LeBron James’ Best Topps Cards
2025-26 NBA Topps NOW® #58 LeBron James
Accomplishment
• The Chosen One began his all-time NBA record-setting 23rd season in November. 11, 2025
•
Card Info
• the first 2025-26 NBA Topps NOW card featuring The King himself
why to collect
• Foil parallels to /99 and lower
• chance to pull /1 Inscribed auto Redemption card
2025-26 Topps Basketball 1980-81 Topps Chrome Veteran Autographs #80CA2-LBJ LeBron James Auto 1/1
Accomplishment
• 4x NBA champion
Card Info
• First NBA-licensed Topps release of lebon james autographed cards featuring the King as a Laker
why to collect
• Autographed card and a stylish throwback insert
2025-26 Topps Basketball All Kings #AK-3 LeBron James
Accomplishment
• 21x All-NBA Selection
Card Info
• insert that also appears in Topps MLB releases
why to collect
• King James in popular all kings insert
2025-26 Topps NBA Living Set® Card #1 LeBron James
Accomplishment
• NBA leader in career minutes played
Card Info
• Online exclusive
• print run of 47, 755
why to collect
• set leadoff card
2003-04 Topps Basketball #221 LeBron James RC
Accomplishment
• 2003 mcdonald’s all-american game mvp
Card Info
• features james’ legendary white draft night suit and his Cleveland jersey on a card that instantly became iconic
why to collect
• draft night, variation
2023-24 Topps Chrome Basketball ’03 Time Machine LeBron James Superfractor 1/1
Accomplishment
• bROKE 40,000 CAREER pointS SCORED IN THE REGULAR SEASON in 2024
Card Info
• Pays homage to LeBron’s Topps RC in celebration of his 40,000th point
• superfractor 1/1 sold for $66,000 in Jan 2025
why to collect
• career milestone card
2003-04 Topps Chrome Basketball #111 LeBron James RC Refractor
Accomplishment
• drafted first overall in 2003 NBA draft out of high school
Card Info
• one of the hobby’s most coveted cards, the gold refractor numbered to 50 has sold for as much $1.2 million
why to collect
• Chrome Debut Card
2004-05 Topps Chrome Basketball #23 LeBron James Gold Refractor /99
Accomplishment
• finished sixth in MVP voting in age 20 season
Card Info
• psa 10 poP of nine, psa 9 pop of 17
why to collect
• jersey-numbered card
2003-04 Topps Finest Basketball #133 LeBron James RC Gold Refractor /25
Accomplishment
• averaged 20.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.9 apg as a rookie
Card Info
• four of the five biggest james’ topps finest sales are for versions of this gold refractor
why to collect
• Cavs color match
2005-06 Topps Finest Basketball #85 LeBron James X-Fractor /229
Accomplishment
• averaged a career-best 31.4 ppg in 2005-06
Card Info
• superfractor 1/1 sold for $336,000 in May 2021
why to collect
• poster dunk card
2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball #23 LeBron James Red Refractor /5
Accomplishment
• won first NBA MVP in 2008-09
Card Info
• red refractor sold most recently for $52,800 in December 2023
why to collect
• iconic player image + Jersey Numbered card
2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball #24 Kobe Bryant X-Fractor
Accomplishment
• dpoy runner-up in 2008-09
Card Info
• generationally significant card with a young LeBron defending Kobe
why to collect
• two legends on the same card
2002-03 Topps Finest Basketball #178 LeBron James Gold Refractor /25
Accomplishment
• named Gatorade National High School Player of the Year twice in a row
Card Info
• psa 7 sold through Fanatics Premier for $87,000
why to collect
• draft night card
2006-07 Topps Chrome Basketball #67 LeBron James Black Refractor /99
Accomplishment
• led Cavaliers to NBA Finals in his fourth season in the NBA
Card Info
• psa 10 pop of 8, psa 9 pop of 17
why to collect
• poster dunk card
2003-04 Topps Pristine Basketball #101 LeBron James RC Refractor /1999
Accomplishment
• 5x all-NBA defensive first team
Card Info
• psa 10 pop of 230, psa 9 pop of 193
why to collect
• Unique rookie card
2007-08 Topps Chrome Basketball #23 LeBron James X-Fractor /50
Accomplishment
• 13 straight seasons finishing top-5 in nba mvp voting
Card Info
• card sold for $36,000 through Fanatics Premier in May 2021
why to collect
• jersey-numbered card with stylish X-Fractor design
2024 Olympic Games Topps NOW® Card #26 LeBron James / Steph Curry / Kevin Durant Triple Auto 1/1
Accomplishment
• three-time Olympic gold medalist
Card Info
• one of the biggest LeBron chase cards in recent years
why to collect
• generational triple card featuring three massive stars
2009-10 Topps Chrome Basketball #16 LeBron James Gold Refractor /50
Accomplishment
• won four NBA MVP awards in a five-year span
Card Info
• psa 10 pop of 1, psa 9 pop of 4
why to collect
• spectacular action image of LeBRon winding up for a massive slam
2023-24 Topps NOW® Basketball Card #LJ-40K LeBron James
Accomplishment
• all-time leader in NBA points scored
Card Info
• online exclusive with a print run of 86,072
why to collect
• career milestone card
2025 Topps NOW® Basketball Card #12 LeBron James
Accomplishment
• only player to score 50,000 points or more in regular season and playoffs combined
Card Info
• online exclusive with print run of 157,982
why to collect
• career milestone card
2004-05 Topps Finest Basketball #23 LeBron James Red Refractor /149
Accomplishment
• 21x NBA All-Star
Card Info
• psa 10 pop of 23, psa 9 pop of 23
why to collect
• eARLY-CAREER, Jersey-numbered card
2007-08 Topps Chrome Basketball #23 LeBron James 1957-58 Variations Refractor /999
Accomplishment
• 4x NBA Finals MVP
Card Info
• a psa 10 of this popular ’57 variation card sold for $750 on September 7, 2025
why to collect
• retro throwback variation card WITH JERSEY NUMBER MATCH
2005-06 Topps Chrome Basketball #102 LeBron James Gold Refractor /99
Accomplishment
• 2010 ap male athlete of the decade
Card Info
• psa 10 pop of 9, psa 9 pop of 15
why to collect
• throwback jersey player image
2023 Bowman University Chrome Basketball Footsteps #LBJ LeBron James / Bronny James Dual Auto Superfractor 1/1
Accomplishment
• played in the NBA with his son, Bronny James, throughout 2024-25 NBA season
Card Info
• This Bowman card sold for $114,000 in March 2024
why to collect
• card bridging the James’ generations
LeBron James Collector FAQs
- What are the standout LeBron James rookie cards?
- Key standouts include 2003–04 Topps Chrome #111 Refractor, 2003–04 Topps Basketball #221, and Topps Pristine #101 /1999, all foundational cards recognized as Hobby anchors.
- Is LeBron James featured in 2025-26 Topps Basketball?
- Yes, LeBron appears in the 2025-26 Topps Basketball base set, as well as in inserts such as All Kings and 1980-81 Topps Chrome Veteran Autographs.
- What are the best LeBron James Topps NOW cards?
- Great chases include 2024 Olympic Games Topps NOW Card #26 and 2023-24 Topps NOW® Basketball Card #LJ-40K.
- Does LeBron James have Topps jersey-number cards?
- Yes. LeBron James Jersey-numbered cards can be found in sets like 2004-05 Topps Chrome Basketball and 2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball.
Key Facts
- LeBron has been a Hobby icon for 20+ years.
- Core rookies include 2003–04 Topps Chrome, Topps Basketball, and Topps Pristine.
- Major 2025–26 offerings: All Kings, Topps NOW®, Topps Basketball parallels.
- Multi-era chases span autos, parallels, Superfractors, and milestone cards.
More Topps Basketball
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LeBron Makes History with Topps NOW® Card and More
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Steph Curry & The Hobby
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Topps Chrome® Basketball Product History
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Vote on the 2025 NBA Topps NOW® Player of the Week | Nov. 10 – Nov. 16
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Starting 5 | 2025-26 Topps Basketball Rookies
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Vote on the 2025 NBA Topps NOW® Player of the Week | Nov. 3 – Nov. 9
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Victor Wembanyama & The Hobby
