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2025-26 Topps Basketball Rookies to Collect

Chase 2025-26 Topps Basketball Rookies

Date: Oct 22, 2025
Author: Clive Harris
Length: 936 Words
Reading Time: ~5 Minutes

The 2025–26 Topps Basketball rookie class has arrived with star potential and major collector buzz. Featuring future NBA standouts like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, this set offers a strong rookie lineup with parallels and color-match chases that mark one of the most exciting Topps Basketball rookie crops in years.

The 2025–26 Topps Basketball rookie class features standout cards from Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Kon Knueppel. Collectors should target base rookie cards and numbered color-match parallels, which combine long-term potential with immediate collector appeal.

2025-26 Topps Basketball #201 Cooper Flagg RC

player Info

• No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft
•  2025 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Award winner
• 2024 National high school player of the year

Set Info

• 300-card base set

what they said

• “I know the Grant Hill comparison is getting thrown out a lot right now, Cooper is his own special player. I think his defensive instincts and playmaking ability far exceed most 18 year olds.” – los angeles lakers head coach jj redick

2025-26 Topps Basketball #202 Dylan Harper RC

player Info

• no. 2 pick in the 2025 nba draft
• 2025 all big-ten team member
• 2024 morgan wooten national player of the year

Set Info

• 300-card base set

What They Said

• “I think he’s gonna be actually impactful. And when you watch him, and he’s a kid, he was a freshman in college last year. There’s a comfort and an ease with how he plays that you just see immediately, he really knows where to go.” – sports analyst bill simmons

2025-26 Topps Basketball #204 Kon Knueppel RC

player Info

• No. 4 pick in the 2025 nba draft
• 2025 acc tournament mvp
• 2024 mr. Wisconsin basketball

set Info

• 3o0-card base set

What They Said

• “he’s an amazing human being. He fits our culture that we continue to build here. A lot of times on our team, we talk about consistent competitors, we talk about being obsessed with daily improvement and that’s what Kon’s about.” – Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee

2025-26 Topps Basketball #205 Ace Bailey RC

player info

• no. 5 pick in the 2025 nba draft
• 2025 all-big ten team member
• 2024 Mr. georgia basketball

Set Info

• 300-card base set

What They Said

• “He looked like a more filled-out, 19-year-old Kevin Durant in all the highlights I’ve seen so far.” – sports analyst bill simmons

2025-26 Topps Basketball #206 Tre Johnson III RC

player Info

• no. 6 pick in the 2025 nba draft
• 2025 SEC Freshman of the year
• 2024 morgan wooten national player of the year

Set Info

• 300-card base set

What They Said

• “I think he’s a very cold-blooded player. He’s got a nasty jump shot, and he’s tough.” – Washington Wizards teammate Justin Champagnie

2025-26 Topps Basketball #207 Jeremiah Fears RC

player Info

• No. 7 pick in the 2025 nba draft
• 2025 all-sec freshman team
• fiba under-18 americup team

set Info

• 3o0-card base set

What They Said

• “He just doesn’t back down from anything. He’s tough. He wants to grow and get better. He’s extremely talented. And the fact that he’s doing this at 18-years-old, it’s incredible. Most of us couldn’t touch the surface that he’s on right now and the fact that he can do this so young.” – new orleans pelicans head coach willie green

2025-26 Topps Basketball #208 Egor Demin RC

player Info

• no. 8 pick in the 2025 nba draft
• big 12 all-freshman team
• born in Moscow, Russia

Set Info

• 300-card base set

what they said

• “He’s got the whole package, from dribbling, shooting, being active, running the floor.” – former nba star Andrei Kirilenko 

2025-26 Topps Basketball #210 Khaman Maluach RC

player Info

• no. 10 pick in the 2025 nba draft
• 2025 acc all-freshman team
•2024 bal rebounding leader

Set Info

• 300-Card Base Set

what they said

• “Man-Man, he’s 19 years old. We start with that. We start with the person he is, the high character person he is, and we know we need to show some grace. He’s only played one year of college basketball. He has a lot of skill to go along with his size.” – Phoenix head coach Jordan Ott

2025-26 Topps Basketball #216 Yang Hansen RC

player info

• two-time cba all-star
• 2024 Cba defensive player of the year
• two-time all-cba domestic first team

Set Info

• 300-card base set

What They Said

• “The day he got drafted and the day he represented the national team over there, no one would think that he was some local player. Everybody thinks he’s a Chinese player. He’s currently the biggest name in China right now.” – chinese basketball association insider kevin wang

  • Are international rookies worth collecting?
    • Yes. Egor Demin, Khaman Maluach, and Yang Hansen have long-term upside. Their values may rise more slowly, but can pay off once they earn steady NBA roles.
  • Who are some of the best rookies in 2025–26 Topps Basketball?
    • Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper headline the set, with Kon Knueppel, Ace Bailey, Tre Johnson III, and Egor Demin close behind.
  • How can I tell which rookie cards will hold value?
    • Watch playing time, scoring, and highlight buzz. Consistent minutes and strong starts usually lead to higher card demand and prices.
  • What’s a good beginner strategy for collecting?
    • Pick two or three rookies you like, buy their base and one numbered parallel, and track early-season stats before spending more.
  • What rookie cards should I buy first?
    • Start with each player’s base RC.

Key Facts

  • Headliners include Cooper Flagg (#201) and Dylan Harper (#202).
  • Supporting targets: Knueppel #204, Bailey #205, Johnson III #206, Fears #207, Demin #208, Maluach #210, Hansen #216.
  • Best first buys: base RC + 1 numbered color-match.

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