A Look at the Finest from Finest
Topps Finest Basketball is legendary in The Hobby. It revolutionized basketball cards with innovative design, chromium technology, and unforgettable refractors. First released in the 1990s, it set the gold standard for premium basketball cards and became a cultural touchstone among collectors. Now, with its highly anticipated return, Topps Finest reminds us why it’s a cornerstone of The Hobby—a celebration of artistry, innovation, and history that continues to captivate generations of fans.
The Best of Topps Finest Basketball
Air Jordan’s First Finest
The set that started it all, 1993/94 Topps Finest Basketball, was the brand’s debut and marked the beginning of the refractor era on the hardwood. It’s only fitting, then, that the set be highlighted by this brilliant design featuring the GOAT. One of Topps’s most covetable Jordan cards, it sold in October 2024 for $23,180. One of the iconic sets of the 1990s, the colorful set has stood the test of time.
1993/94 Topps Finest Basketball #1 Michael Jordan Refractor
Heir Apparent | Kobe Takes the Torch
1996/97 was another landmark year for Topps Finest Basketball, buoyed by a variety of stunning designs and a loaded rookie class. RCs from the likes of Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, and Kobe Bryant put this set in rarified air. The multi-tiered base set (bronze, silver, gold) featured two series and totaled 291 cards. This Kobe Bryant Gold rookie from the Heirs subset (which also includes entries from Iverson, Allen, and Nash) remains highly sought-after.
1996/97 Topps Finest Basketball #269 Kobe Bryant Gold RC
The King Arrives
LeBron James‘ impact on The Hobby was inevitable. Perhaps the most hyped prospect in the sport’s history, James made his Finest debut in 2002/03, celebrating his selection as the top overall pick in the 2003 draft. The only James XRC from Topps, it also marks his first with Finest, beginning a tradition of cards that remain covetable for collectors of The King.
2002/03 Topps Finest Basketball #178 LeBron James Refractor XRC /250
2003/04 Topps Finest Basketball was likewise buoyed by eye-catching cards and one of the league’s greatest rookie classes of all time. While James unquestionably led the way, he’s joined in this important set by Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh (now, all former teammates). The set features refractor parallels that remain popular, including James’ Gold Refractor, numbered to 25.
2003/04 Topps Finest Basketball #133 Lebron James Gold Refractor RC /25
KD’s Finest Rookie Card
Finest rolled out its 2006/07 offering with a redemption program showcasing the 2007 draft class. The redemption cards let collectors know where they landed, with the pick number on the front. At the top of the class were the much-hyped Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. While Oden’s career was marred by injury, Durant took the league and The Hobby by storm. Future Hall-of-Famer Al Horford is also in the set.
2006/07 Topps Finest Basketball #102 Kevin Durant RC /539
The Future of Finest
The release of 2023/24 Topps Finest Basketball is the latest entry to continue the brand’s long line of legacy and lineage. Featuring star rookies Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller, superstars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, and Nikola Jokic, and legends like Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, and Kevin Garnett, the set serves as a testament to the enduring popularity and exciting future of the brand.
1998/99 Topps Finest Basketball Centurions #C5 Shaquille O’Neal Refractor /75
In a fine homage to Finest’s storied past, this year’s offering features a throwback to the popular 1998/99 insert, Centurions. It will include Wemby and Miller, but also Shaq, Iverson, and Garnett, who also appeared in the insert’s debut. Inserts such as Masters Autographs capture the look and feel of the 1997/98 Topps Finest Basketball base cards, helping to create a fitting tip of the cap to some of the finest from Finest.
2023/24 Topps Finest Basketball Centurions #C1 and #C20 Shaquille O’Neal and Victor Wembanyama
Topps is excited to release the brilliantly designed 2023/24 Topps Finest Basketball. Grab a box here.
