Michael Jordan & The Hobby

On Hoops, Topps, and The GOAT

An athlete who borders on the mythical, Michael Jordan’s influence on sport and culture over the last half century has been indelible. No other modern sports figure carries the aura, mystique, competitive fire, and enduring popularity of Air Jordan. From that shot as a freshman at North Carolina to the global phenomenon that was the Bulls’ dynasty, Jordan set the benchmark for every player who has followed. 

In The Hobby, just as in the American sports world, Jordan finds himself on Mount Rushmore, alongside the likes of Mickey Mantle. His cards command attention, inspire collectors, and anchor collections across the world.

Today, we’re taking a look at some of Jordan’s finest moments in The Hobby.

Jordan from Gold to Finest

Michael Jordan’s first Topps cards in 1992 marked a historic moment for both the brand and The Hobby. His 1992 Topps Gold card and its bold foil nameplate, featuring Jordan scoring on the Trailblazers, is an early gem, as is his 1992 Topps Archives card with a fun retro feel.

These cards are two of the more accessible early Topps Jordan offerings. A PSA 10 of the Topps Gold card went for $372 on November 16, 2025, while an SGC 9 of the 1992 Topps Archives card went for $150 on the same day.

These releases, along with an iconic Jordan card in 1992 Topps Stadium Club, highlighted Jordan’s debut year in Topps. The stage was set the stage for what would become a defining technological leap: the birth of the Refractor era.

Michael Jordan’s 1993 Topps Finest Basketball Refractor is one of the most significant Jordan cards because it sits at the intersection of star power and innovation. Jordan was the face of the NBA, and he was chosen to lead off the set, which marked the first time Refractor technology was used in a basketball set. The result was a card that felt immediately futuristic, premium, and timeless.

The set itself is monumental, introducing Refractors to the basketball world. What began here would reshape The Hobby, as Refractors became the blueprint for modern chase cards. Jordan’s Refractor, complete with an iconic player image to match the moment, is a brilliant addition to any collection.

Jordan’s Chrome Debut: A Card for the Ages

Only a few years after the Refractors of 1993 Topps Finest, the future arrived. Topps Chrome’s 1996 debut is one of the defining moments in basketball card history, introducing chromium stock to NBA collecting, sharp photography, clean surfaces, and a premium feel that separated it from traditional paper releases. 

MJ made his Chrome debut in the original Chrome Basketball set, with the player image again meeting the moment, showing Jordan scoring on longtime rival Patrick Ewing.

Jordan’s card from the historic set captures the era of the sport and the future of The Hobby, with two titans of the ‘nineties ’90s locked in battle. The image leaps off the card, out of the hand, and into a Chromium future.

Today, the card remains highly valuable. A PSA 9 sold through Fanatics Premier for $13,800 in May 2025.

Jordan in Inserts

Jordan appeared in many of the most famous Topps Basketball inserts, including Rock Stars, Apparitions, and Beam Team. Some of these brilliant cards remain among the most coveted Michael Jordan cards in The Hobby.

As with so many of Jordan’s best with the brand, his Rock Stars and Beam Team cards give collectors fantastic player images to go along with spectacular card design. A PSA 10 of Jordan’s Rock Stars insert card sold for $17,400 through Fanatics Premier in July 2025.

Jordan’s 1992 Topps Stadium Club Beam Team card is the leadoff card for one of the brand’s most popular inserts, appearing in sets throughout the years and even crossing over to other sports. Jordan’s card stands on top, the electric feel lighting up the collector’s hand. Other valuable Jordan Beam Team cards include offerings from 1993 and 1995.

This 1997 Topps Finest Embossed Basketball Refractor is one of the most valuable Jordan cards from Topps. In September 2025, this PSA 10 version of a card limited to only 74 copies — with a PSA 10 population of only 4 — sold for $90,000.

Jordan Passes the Torch with Topps

A couple of standout Michael Jordan cards feature the six-time champion alongside the player many see as the heir to his legacy. Just as MJ built a reputation for his win-at-all-cost, obsessed-with-greatness mentality, so too did Kobe Bryant.

This 1998 Topps Basketball East/West card paired the two stars, who also shared a 1998 Topps Mystery Finest card. Both of these options are spectacular ways for collectors to mark the passing of the torch between two of the greatest competitors American sport has ever seen.

Return of a Wizard

Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA with the Washington Wizards gave a new generation of fans one more chance to watch the man who was already a living legend. Topps captured Jordan’s farewell tour with a series of Chrome cards that remain chase-worthy today.

This 2001 Topps Chrome card showing His Airness skying for a dunk, as well as his 2002 Chrome offering that shows off that iconic Jordan fadeaway, are both solid options for collectors looking to capture Jordan’s last, last dance in the league.

The GOAT in the Game and The Hobby

On the floor and in The Hobby, Michael Jordan reached heights that few others can even dream of. A man who became legend while taking down all comers, his place in the pantheon of American sports is untouchable, and his role in The Hobby remains monumental.

Michael Jordan Collector FAQs

• What are the most important Topps Michael Jordan cards?
  • Some of the most significant Topps Jordan cards include his 1992 Topps Gold, 1993 Finest Refractor, 1996 Topps Chrome, 1992 Stadium Club Beam Team, and 1997 Rock Stars and Finest Embossed Refractors. These releases capture major milestones in both Jordan’s career and card technology.
• Why is the 1993 Finest Refractor Jordan so iconic?
  • This card marked the introduction of Refractor technology to basketball. Paired with Jordan’s front-of-set position, premium design, and lasting visual appeal, it became a cornerstone of the modern Refractor lineage.
• What inserts should Jordan collectors target?
  • Top inserts include Rock Stars, Beam Team, Apparitions, and various Finest Refractors, as well as his 1998 East/West card with Kobe Bryant.
• Are early ’90s Topps Michael Jordan cards beginner-friendly?
  • Yes. Cards like the 1992 Topps Gold and 1992 Topps Archives Jordan cards often remain accessible even in high grades. They’re excellent entry points for collectors.

Key Facts

• Michael Jordan’s 1993 Finest Refractor introduced Refractors to basketball
• Jordan’s 1996 Topps Chrome debut remains iconic
• Inserts like Beam Team and Rock Stars are collector essentials
• The 1997 Finest Embossed Refractor is one of MJ’s most sought-after Topps cards

---

More Topps Basketball

---