The Top 25 Topps Chrome Basketball Rookie Cards of All Time

Kobe, LeBron, Iverson, and More

Today, the most coveted rookie cards often include a combination of autographs, premium memorabilia, and limited production numbers. In the late 1990s, all it took was Chrome. Not long after 1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball made its debut, the brand shot to the top among hoops collectors, especially when it came to rookies.

Sure, a draft class that included Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, and more helped. But the forward-looking spin on Topps Basketball was what made it a mainstay

With the impending release of 2025-26 Topps Chrome Basketball, let’s take a look at the top 25 Topps Chrome Basketball rookie cards from the past.

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The Greatest Topps Chrome Basketball RCs

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25. 2009-10 Topps Chrome Basketball #110 Jrue Holiday /999

Jrue Holiday has quietly put together a stellar career. More of a defensive specialist, he was a catalyst for championship teams in both Milwaukee and Boston.

A two-time All-Star and three-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection, he’s not someone you typically hear a lot of collectors talking about. However, that might change in a few years once he’s retired and the Hall of Fame discussions begin.

24. 1997-98 Topps Chrome Basketball #125 Tracy McGrady

The ninth overall pick in the 1997 draft, Tracy McGrady skipped college and went right to the NBA. In Toronto, he and Vince Carter were a must-watch duo, taking the Raptors to the playoffs for the first time.

Prior to the 2000-01 season, McGrady joined the Orlando Magic, where he had a chance to be the star. He quickly took major strides forward and emerged as one of basketball’s top players.

T-Mac was the NBA scoring champion in both 2003 and 2004, and he made seven straight All-Star Games between 2001 and 2007.

23. 2001-02 Topps Chrome Basketball #131 Pau Gasol

When Pau Gasol arrived in the NBA, he was already an international star, having been a standout in the Spanish League, EuroLeague and representing Spain in the World Championships. The 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year, Gasol was the first international player to win the award. 

One of the greatest players to ever lace up for the Grizzlies, he spent his first seven seasons in the league with Memphis before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. There, he solidified his place as one of basketball’s best, co-starring alongside Kobe Bryant for back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.

Since retiring, Gasol has been inducted into both the Basketball Hall of Fame and FIBA Hall of Fame. 

22. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball #217 Ray Allen

The first Topps Chrome Basketball set was loaded with rookie cards of four Hall of Famers. Ray Allen might not have a huge Hobby following, but he is one of the best shooting guards the game has ever seen. 

Allen spent the majority of his career in Milwaukee and Seattle, but he won two NBA Championships later in Boston and Miami. A 10-time All-Star and member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, Allen retired as the league’s all-time leader in three-pointers, a record that Stephen Curry has since topped.

21. 2009-10 Topps Chrome Basketball #100 DeMar DeRozan /999

The ninth pick in the 2009 draft, DeMar DeRozan is one of the best and most beloved players in Toronto Raptors history. He ranks in the top 30 among the league’s all-time leading scorers and has made six All-Star appearances.

DeRozan is part of the strong 2009-10 rookie class. When it comes to basketball cards, he helps bolster a potent 2009-10 Topps Chrome checklist. Like others in the set, the base version is numbered to 999.

20. 2003-04 Topps Chrome Basketball #114 Chris Bosh

While Chris Bosh established himself in Toronto, he solidified his star status as one of Miami’s Big Three alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. It was as part of that core trio that Bosh won back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.

That same trio has rookie cards in 2003-04 Topps Chrome Basketball, one of the strongest in the line.

19. 2002-03 Topps Chrome Basketball #124 Manu Ginobili

Manu Ginobili spent his entire 16-year NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs, where he was an instrumental part of four championship squads. Similar to Pau Gasol, Ginobili rose to prominence on the international scene before coming to the NBA. A 2001 EuroLeague title is another of his many accolades.

Ginobili is one of 10 rookies in 2002-03 Topps Chrome Basketball to have a base set variation differentiated by the text. In addition to the regular English rookie card, the Hall of Famer also has a Spanish version. Both carry similar values.

18. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball #182 Steve Nash

One of the greatest point guards of all-time, Steve Nash is the top Canadian to play in the NBA. A two-time MVP, he’s another Hall of Famer to have a rookie card in the inaugural Topps Chrome Basketball set. Unsurprisingly, it’s considered one of Nash’s top cards, rookie or otherwise.

17. 2002-03 Topps Chrome Basketball #146 Yao Ming

Yao Ming’s NBA career wasn’t a long one, but his importance to the game still reverberates today. Standing 7’ 6” tall, the center was the first international player without any time at an American college to be taken first overall.

In nine seasons with the Houston Rockets, Ming was an All-Star eight times. Following a series of injuries, he retired after the 2010-11 season. Despite his relatively short time in the league, Ming was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2016.

While his stats place him among the most dominant players of the 2000s, Ming’s greatest impact has come by helping expand basketball’s global reach, particularly in his home country of China. Similar to Ginobili, Ming has an international language variation in 2002-03 Topps Chrome Basketball.

16. 2005-06 Topps Chrome Basketball #168 Chris Paul

Chris Paul is one of the top point guards to ever step on an NBA court. A 12-time All-Star, the speedster is both a stellar playmaker and defender. He’s also exciting to watch, with a keen ability to dominate on the court as well as come up clutch in key moments.

CP3’s career has taken him to seven different franchises, but it was his first stint with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2011 to 2017 that he’s probably best known for.

15. 1998-99 Topps Chrome Basketball #135 Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce is a Boston Celtics legend. Playing most of his Hall of Fame career with the iconic franchise, Pierce helped lead the team to a championship in 2008, winning Finals MVP honors in the process. He’s one of the top 25 scorers in NBA history and was an All-Star 10 times.

1998-99 Topps Chrome Basketball might not have the prestige of some of the brand’s other hoops sets, but it has turned out to be a stellar one. Pierce is one of three Hall of Famers to have a rookie card in the set.

14. 1998-99 Topps Chrome Basketball #199 Vince Carter

One of the most electric players to ever step on a basketball court, Vince Carter drew comparisons to Michael Jordan and his ability to take flight. The Toronto Raptors’ first true superstar, Carter rose to prominence in the infancy of the Internet. Had he come along even a couple of years later, his star may have burned even brighter.

Starting out as an exciting player, Carter evolved his game and played for 22 seasons. Appropriate for someone nicknamed Air Canada, VC’s 1998-99 Topps Chrome rookie card features a memorable high-flying shot.

13. 2001-02 Topps Chrome Basketball #155 Tony Parker

Another cornerstone in San Antonio for four NBA Championships, Tony Parker locked down the backcourt. Overlooked by 27 other teams in the 2001 draft, the Spurs closed out the first round by making a surprise selection, taking the Belgium-born point guard.

In addition to his four titles, Parker was a six-time All-Star and a standout for France on the international scene. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023.

12. 2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball #181 Derrick Rose

Although he was the 2011 MVP and one of the most beloved players of his generation, many will still be left wondering “What if?” for Derrick Rose. A powerhouse early in his career with the Chicago Bulls, he helped the franchise finally look beyond Michael Jordan. But for Rose, his thorn was a series of injuries.

Following an MVP season in his third year, Rose missed significant time in 2011-12. Then, in the playoffs, he tore his ACL, causing him to miss all of 2012-13. After that, things were never quite the same. Despite flashes of brilliance with the Knicks and Grizzlies, Rose was never able to reach the same dominating levels he showed early on.

While it’s a case of what might have been, Rose is still tremendously popular with collectors. His 2008-09 Topps Chrome rookie card ranks among his best.

11. 2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball #184 Russell Westbrook

Rose isn’t the only MVP to have a rookie card in 2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball. There’s also Russell Westbrook, who won the award in 2017 when he averaged a triple-double over the course of the season.

Never afraid of taking charge, Westbrook is one of the leading scorers in basketball history. A nine-time All-Star, he’s topped NBA scoring twice and has led the league in assists three times.

10. 2003-04 Topps Chrome Basketball #113 Carmelo Anthony

Today, LeBron James is the clear rookie favorite among 2003-04 basketball cards. But there was a time when Carmelo Anthony was right there with him. Melo might not be in GOAT discussions like LeBron, but he still turned out to be one of the game’s best, particularly when it came to putting points on the board.

A 10-time All-Star, Anthony’s 28,289 career points puts him in the top 15 all-time. Although he never won an NBA Championship, Anthony is a proven winner, with three Olympic gold medals and an NCAA Championship.

9. 1998-99 Topps Chrome Basketball #154 Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki’s impact isn’t limited to just the Dallas Mavericks. While he’s arguably the historical face of the franchise, the power forward accomplished a lot of firsts that show how basketball has continued to grow into a global sport. The German also has many international accolades from starring for his home country, and he was the first European-born player to win the NBA MVP award.

A 14-time All-Star, Nowitzki sits sixth all-time among NBA career scoring leaders. When it comes to the strong 1998-99 Topps Chrome Basketball release, he’s the top rookie card.

8. 2003-04 Topps Chrome Basketball #115 Dwyane Wade

There are great draft classes, and then there’s 2003-04. Taken fifth overall by Miami, just a couple of years later Dwyane Wade was helping the Heat win their first NBA Championship. He was also a cornerstone on their back-to-back 2012 and 2013 championship teams after LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined him in South Beach.

Wade was an All-Star 13 times and the league’s scoring champion in 2009. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023, he’s also a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

7. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball #171 Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson is a basketball icon who dominated both on the court and in the headlines. An unflinching personality, he wowed crowds and influenced fans.

His honors include the 2001 MVP, four scoring titles, 11 All-Star selections, a pair of All-Star MVPs, and a spot on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Iverson’s 1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball rookie card was a part of the line’s first release. It’s not only one of the best in the brand’s history, but one of the most recognizable basketball cards released in the 1990s.

6. 2009-10 Topps Chrome Basketball #99 James Harden /999

Outside of winning an NBA title, James Harden has seemingly done it all. One of the most dominant players of his era, he’s been both the league’s scoring leader and assists leader on multiple occasions. An 11-time All-Star, Harden was also MVP in 2018 while with the Houston Rockets.

Being a part of the 2009-10 rookie class means several major rookie cards. This includes a spot on the 2009-10 Topps Chrome Basketball checklist and a base version that’s limited to 999 copies.

5. 1997-98 Topps Chrome Basketball #115 Tim Duncan

The fact that Tim Duncan was a superstar really wasn’t a surprise. When the San Antonio Spurs took him first overall in 1997, he entered the NBA with a lot of hype and high expectations. Five championships, a pair of MVP awards, and no shortage of other accolades later, and it’s clear that The Big Fundamental exceeded even the loftiest of those early projections.

Despite all of this, Duncan’s place among basketball card collectors has been polite, but not necessarily transformative. Breaking into the league in 1997-98 means that he has several rare rookie inserts in iconic products, but when you’re looking for a traditional rookie card, his 1997-98 Topps Chrome is not only king, but one of the best the brand has ever produced.

4. 2007-08 Topps Chrome Basketball #131 Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is one of the top scorers in basketball history. If the highlights showing him take over game after game aren’t enough, there are the numbers. He’s already among the top 10 career points leaders. Durant has led the NBA in scoring four times and was named MVP in 2014.

Both of Durant’s titles, which came during his time in Golden State, brought with them Finals MVP honors. His 2007-08 Topps Chrome rookie card is a little odd given the Seattle SuperSonics jersey. He was in the Pacific Northwest for one season before the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City. Still, it’s one of the top rookie cards the line has ever produced, and one that might not be done, as Durant approaches and passes more career milestones.

3. 2003-04 Topps Chrome Basketball #111 LeBron James

This king had to earn his crown. Even before LeBron James stepped onto an NBA court for his first official game, he was dubbed a lot of things ranging from the next big thing to the next Michael Jordan. Make no mistake, there’s only one LeBron.

A four-time NBA Champion, four-time Finals MVP, four-time league MVP, 21-time All-Star, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer — the list of accomplishments is exhaustive. Make no mistake, LeBron James is one of the greatest of all-time. Hype has no substance. Greatness demands it. James worked for it.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that his 2003-04 Topps Chrome rookie is one of the most iconic modern basketball cards. The image comes from the earliest days of James’ pro career. It was taken October 7, 2003 in a preseason game between the Cavs and Pistons. Allen Einstein, Detroit’s team photographer, snapped the shot of a rookie LeBron going for a jump shot against Ben Wallace. The result is a basketball card that’s stunning on its own but tremendously important among collectors today.

2. 2009-10 Topps Chrome Basketball #101 Stephen Curry /999

If you want to go strictly by previous auction prices, then the 2009-10 Stephen Curry is the biggest Topps Chrome Basketball rookie card. There are a couple of reasons for this. For starters, there’s Curry himself. The game’s all-time three-point leader, Curry is largely responsible for changing how the game is played today, shifting the action from the inside to the outside.

The key piece in Golden State’s dynasty and four NBA Championships, he’s a proven winner as well. MVPs and many other prestigious honors are also attached to Curry’s name. Simply put, he’s an all-time great and one of the very best to step on the court.

But these aren’t the only reasons for Curry’s 2009-10 Topps Chrome Basketball rookie card carrying such sharp interest. Rarity is another big one. Numbered to 999, it’s not easy to find. With 2009-10 Chrome cards included in regular Topps Basketball packs instead, landing one was also tough, as they were packaged like inserts and not as a standalone product.

1. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball #138 Kobe Bryant

When it comes to iconic Topps Chrome Basketball rookie cards, there’s one that stands above them all. And it comes from the very first set.

Kobe Bryant is one of the undisputed kings of modern sports cards. A fierce competitor on the court, he was a key part on five Lakers championship teams. But it took time and persistence to get there. When Bryant was a rookie in 1996-97, he was fresh out of high school. Playing time was sparse at first. But that work ethic that would become one of his signatures led to an increasingly significant role as the year went on. Before long, he was a superstar, and the Lakers were back to being a powerhouse.

Like Bryant, Topps Chrome Basketball made its debut in 1996-97. Although it would go on to become a Hobby juggernaut, that first release was limited to retail. Before long, it was the hottest product on the market, fueled by a loaded checklist and its somewhat elusive nature.

Of all of Bryant’s rookie cards, 1996-97 Topps Chrome is arguably his most popular and important. Desire for top-condition, professionally graded copies have remained strong for decades.

Few basketball cards have managed to transcend The Hobby and grow into something bigger. This is one of them, showcasing a hoops legend and helping launch a juggernaut basketball brand.

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