{"id":137863,"date":"2025-10-24T03:33:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T07:33:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/?p=137863"},"modified":"2025-10-24T03:33:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T07:33:25","slug":"2025-26-topps-basketball-behind-the-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/2025-26-topps-basketball-behind-the-design\/","title":{"rendered":"2025-26 Topps Basketball Behind the Design"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"hero-container hero-image-container\" id=\"hero-image-container\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hero-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025_Topps_Flagship_Basketball_HomeCourt_Base_VictorWembanyama_FR-800x1100.webp\" \/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Art of 2025-26 Topps Basketball<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block stats-box-container\">\n\t<div id=\"stats-boxblock_db4855d1f08490b7365f442b055c8f7e\" class=\"wp-block stats-box stats-box-post\">\n\t\t<div class=\"stats-box-column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"stats-box-date stats-box-stat\"><span class=\"stats-box-header\">Date:<\/span> Oct 24, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"stats-box-column\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"stats-box-length stats-box-stat\"><span class=\"stats-box-header\">Length:<\/span> 1403 \tWords<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"stats-box-reading-time stats-box-stat\"><span class=\"stats-box-header\">Reading Time:<\/span> ~8 Minutes<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For longtime collectors, the phrase \u201cTopps Basketball\u201d stirs up memories of classic designs, iconic players, and the golden age of The Hobby. <strong>Topps<\/strong> is stepping back onto the court, and fans are ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Behind that comeback is <strong>Art Director Tess Wieloszynski<\/strong>, whose team carried both the excitement and pressure of reintroducing one of the most beloved brands in trading cards. \u201cWe knew it was a big task,\u201d she said, \u201cbut I don\u2019t think we fully realized the true magnitude.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-topps-education-white-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-317000b579f61ccf5d38041bd5ae9729\">2025\u201326 Topps Basketball reimagines the classic brand with 1980\u201381 inspiration, modern layouts, and dynamic rookie imagery. Collectors can chase revived inserts and parallels celebrating the blend of nostalgia and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Topps NBA: It&#039;s OUR Game\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bi4aBwva9ps?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo matter how big or small, we give each product the same level of precision and care,\u201d Wieloszynski said. \u201cWe keep our nose to the grindstone, and with each design, we ask ourselves, \u2018Will this connect with the fan? How will they feel when they pull this card?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The return of Topps Basketball was a moment to honor the culture and history of both the sport and the collectors who helped shape it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor Topps Basketball, that meant paying attention to every detail, honoring the history of both the sport and collecting, and remembering that design is not an ego-driven practice,\u201d Wieloszynski said. \u201cUltimately, this moment isn\u2019t just about putting out a product. It\u2019s about giving basketball fans an experience that feels worthy of the Game itself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_5612_FR-1-731x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-134582\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:300px;height:420px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_5612_FR-1-731x1024.webp 731w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_5612_FR-1-214x300.webp 214w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_5612_FR-1-107x150.webp 107w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_5612_FR-1-700x980.webp 700w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_5612_FR-1-300x420.webp 300w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_5612_FR-1.webp 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Balancing History and Modern Energy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Reintroducing Topps Basketball meant bridging two eras \u2014 one rooted in nostalgia, the other driven by the pace and passion of modern collecting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt certainly feels like a weight of responsibility,\u201d Wieloszynski admitted. \u201cI consider us lucky to work with people who have lived and breathed this industry for so long.\u201d That wealth of experience became a creative compass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019d find a card from the archives that intrigued me, and I can jump in Slack and ping the designer who worked on it,\u201d Wieloszynski said. \u201cI can borrow the wisdom of others around me, which makes these products with rich history feel less daunting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today\u2019s collector experience, though, is unlike anything from Topps\u2019 earlier basketball days. \u201cOne of my biggest teachers is to jump into live card breaks and just hang out,\u201d Wieloszynski explained. \u201cWhat cards are people commenting on? What teams sell out first? What pull does the breaker choose to repost to their story? All of this is important data that helps us connect with the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, finding that balance between old and new came naturally once the team began truly listening. \u201cBalancing Topps\u2019 history with the modern collector\u2019s expectations became less of a puzzle the more I sat back, listened, and kept those voices in mind as we designed,\u201d Wieloszynski said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2454_FR-1-731x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-134606\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:300px;height:420px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2454_FR-1-731x1024.webp 731w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2454_FR-1-214x300.webp 214w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2454_FR-1-107x150.webp 107w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2454_FR-1-700x980.webp 700w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2454_FR-1-300x420.webp 300w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2454_FR-1.webp 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bringing Topps Basketball&#8217;s Inserts and Parallels to Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When asked about her favorite <a href=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/definition\/insert-card\/\" data-type=\"definition\" data-id=\"118\">insert<\/a> to design, Wieloszynski quipped, \u201cNow, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s polite to ask a parent who their favorite child is. Jokes aside, there were so many that stood out. There were some \u2018labors of love,\u2019 for sure, and those ones always end up being memorable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among them are revivals of beloved Topps inserts, such as Generation Now and Own the Game. \u201cThose are always a challenge, as we need to connect with an experience that collectors treasure, while still pushing the insert forward and making it unique,\u201d she said. \u201cThen there are some that are completely bespoke, like Comic Court and Limited Stock Legends. I can see these becoming coveted items, as they truly stand out in a crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wieloszynski\u2019s design philosophy also extends to how <a href=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/definition\/parallel\/\" data-type=\"definition\" data-id=\"144\">parallels<\/a> enhance the collector experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI love when subsets and parallels jump out from a set,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen I\u2019m watching a break, I look forward to those moments when the breaker is shuffling through base cards, and then an insert stops them in their tracks. Even better when they pause, put the rest of the cards down, and bring the card closer to the camera so the audience can get a better view. That\u2019s the moment we strived for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2501_FR56-1-731x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-134598\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:300px;height:420px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2501_FR56-1-731x1024.webp 731w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2501_FR56-1-214x300.webp 214w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2501_FR56-1-107x150.webp 107w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2501_FR56-1-700x980.webp 700w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2501_FR56-1-300x420.webp 300w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_2501_FR56-1.webp 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nods to the Past, Designs for the Future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Wieloszynski and her team also drew direct inspiration from classic Topps Basketball designs. \u201cMost obviously, the 1980-81 cards have returned,\u201d she said. \u201cThe triple autograph was a cool challenge to adapt from a non-autograph card. I have an affinity for that era of card design, and it\u2019s about time that particular card has an autograph variation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One revived insert, Clutch City Prospects, sparked creative debate in the studio. \u201cIt was a puzzle to unlock,\u201d Wieloszynski said with a smile. \u201cI can\u2019t tell you how many meetings I was in where we asked, \u2018What and where is Clutch City?\u2019 For that one, we kept the original architecture of the card and gave it more details and a little more attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The timing couldn\u2019t have been better \u2014 a new era of Topps Basketball coinciding with a standout rookie class. \u201cThe rookies had their own photoshoot this year, and many subsets will feature that unique photography,\u201d Wieloszynski said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For her, it\u2019s about freezing a moment in time. \u201cThe stats on the card back, the design trend of the time, the excitement in the rookie\u2019s eyes \u2014 it all creates a tiny time capsule,&#8221; Wieloszynski explained. &#8220;We wanted our designs to be timeless, while still honoring that unique time in the rookie\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_4322_FR_Orange-731x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-134590\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:300px;height:420px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_4322_FR_Orange-731x1024.webp 731w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_4322_FR_Orange-214x300.webp 214w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_4322_FR_Orange-107x150.webp 107w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_4322_FR_Orange-700x980.webp 700w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_4322_FR_Orange-300x420.webp 300w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/25TBSK_4322_FR_Orange.webp 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Foundation for What\u2019s Next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As for what she hopes fans take away from the product, Wieloszynski\u2019s answer is simple: joy. \u201cTo be honest, I just hope the collectors have fun while opening it,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of hard work that goes into making a product, and at the end of a hard day, it helps to remember that these products should be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She closed with a note of gratitude and vision: \u201cOur team put a lot of care into every design choice, not just to make something that looks great, but to make something that feels connected to the fans who love the game as much as we do. I can\u2019t end this interview without giving a huge thank you to everyone who worked on this product, as it truly took a village.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And while this release marks a long-awaited return, Wieloszynski views it as the start of something bigger. \u201cI see the design foundation as something that will keep evolving alongside the collectors themselves,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe want to grow with the sport, to reflect the energy and creativity of both the players and the collectors. My hope is that each year we continue to evolve the brand but never leave the fans behind. It should feel familiar but new \u2014 something fans can recognize as Topps Basketball, yet still be surprised by.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-topps-education-black-color has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-8eb3fc72c8c4d3d56f5261a4e7d62f6a\">2025-26 Topps Basketball Behind the Design FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list accordion\">\n<li><strong>What\u2019s the design theme of 2025\u201326 Topps Basketball?<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">The set embraces a heritage-meets-modern approach: classic Topps Basketball cues (including 1980\/81 inspiration) brought forward with bold photography, textures, and parallels that play well in breaks and social reveals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Which inserts return in 2025-26 Topps Basketball?<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">Revived concepts such as <strong>Generation Now<\/strong>, <strong>Own the Game<\/strong>, and <strong>Clutch City Prospects<\/strong> return with updated architecture and more attitude, built to connect with today\u2019s collectors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Does 2025-26 Topps Basketball feature rookie content?<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">A standout rookie class meets layouts that act like time capsules, tying early-career energy to period-true design choices for memorable first-year cards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How does the 2025-26 Topps Basketball set honor collectors?<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">By listening, the team blended archive research with community insights to craft cards that feel connected to Hobby history and modern expectations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Will this foundation of Topps Basketball evolve?<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">Yes. The relaunch is a base for future creativity \u2014 recognizable as Topps Basketball, but flexible enough to surprise collectors each season.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"key\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Facts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Product:<\/strong> 2025\u201326 Topps Basketball marks the official return of the Topps Basketball line, blending heritage with modern Hobby energy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Design Lead:<\/strong> Directed by <strong>Tess Wieloszynski<\/strong> and inspired by 1980\/81 Topps aesthetics, reimagined with bold, photo-forward layouts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Returning Inserts:<\/strong> Features updated takes on Generation Now, Own the Game, and Clutch City Prospects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rookie Focus:<\/strong> Highlights 2025 draft talent through dynamic photography that captures each player\u2019s first-year story<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"key\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">More 2025-26 Topps Basketball <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-topps-education-white-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div data-wp-context=\"{}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/query\" data-wp-key=\"0\" data-wp-router-region=\"query-0\" class=\"wp-block-query is-style-query-carousel is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query-no-results\">\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-blue-border\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">No posts to display.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Something went wrong with displaying the post carousel. Check back shortly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Art of 2025-26 Topps Basketball<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":137344,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"mc4wp_mailchimp_campaign":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[9955],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-137863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball-cards"],"acf":{"color_theme":"rgba(255,80,119,1)"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=137863"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137863\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/137344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=137863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=137863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=137863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}