That 1997 SkyBox Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Emerald Tim Duncan rookie card selling for $330,645.62 this week? Yeah, that's a big number. It's an auction record for Duncan, and it even pushed past a high-end Victor Wembanyama card that went for $225,700 recently. We're seeing some serious action in basketball, and it’s not just the new stuff moving.
Old Favorites and New Faces Still Getting Attention
The top end of the basketball market is definitely putting up numbers. We've talked about it a lot, but that idea of a "flight to quality" keeps proving itself out. While vintage baseball had four cards break $1 million this week, Michael Jordan was the only basketball player to hit that mark. Still, his foundational cards continue to show real strength. Take the 1995 Topps Spark Plugs Michael Jordan #SP2, which hit $7,000 for a PSA 10. That's a good chunk of change for an insert from the mid-nineties, and it shows collectors are still chasing his key cards. Even a 1990 Skybox Basketball Michael Jordan #41 PSA 9, which you can pick up for $98, is seeing movement.
It's not just Jordan, either. Kobe Bryant's 1996 Metal #181 Base card is up 19.1% in the last 7 days, and a bunch of Shaquille O'Neal cards from 1992 are seeing 7-day increases between 5.3% and 19.3%. You can still find a 1991 Upper Deck Award Winner Holograms Michael Jordan #AW4 in a BGS 8.5 for around $85, which seems like a solid play if you're looking for iconic players without breaking the bank. These cards aren't setting new records, but they're seeing consistent, healthy growth, which probably suggests stability.
Caitlin Clark and the New Kids
On the modern side, Caitlin Clark is still on fire, it seems. She’s been on Beckett's "Hot List" for a couple weeks now, and for good reason after a 37-point game. She's tied for the league lead in assists and ranks third in points per game. We’re seeing that play out with cards like the 2025 Topps Gold Cooper Flagg ROOKIE /2025 #201, which sold for $2,000 in a PSA 10. Flagg and other top rookies like Kon Knueppel and Dylan Harper are showing up in the new 2025-26 Topps Chrome Update Basketball, which dropped on August 6th.
The "Alter Egos" inserts from that Topps Chrome Update set, illustrated by Michael J. Blaskewicz, are also doing really well. We’ve seen 18 public sales for cards of LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, and Cooper Flagg all clear $15,000. That's a strong start for a new insert set, I'd say. It’s a good sign that collectors are still chasing compelling, artistic cards, not just standard refractors.
What's Moving and Where to Look
Beyond the big names, we're seeing some interesting patterns. The 2019 Donruss Optic My House. Holo LeBron James #13 PSA 10 sold for $95, which feels like a decent entry point for a popular LeBron insert in a top grade. We’re also seeing some mid-tier modern rookies moving, like the 2021 Panini Prizm Cade Cunningham ROOKIE #282 BGS 9.5 for $60. The 2024 Panini Prizm Emergent Green Stephon Castle ROOKIE #29 PSA 10 also just sold for $78. These aren't huge numbers, but they show there's still activity in the rookie class, especially for players showing early promise.
It seems like the broader basketball card world is currently stable and leaning into quality. We're seeing a clear demand for premium items, like that Duncan PMG, but also sustained interest in established stars and promising rookies. Keep an eye on the 2025-26 Topps Chrome Black Basketball dropping on August 27th, that's typically a set that delivers a premium feel and could bring some fresh movement.
If you're looking to make a move, consider where the market is pulling. High-grade vintage from proven players like Jordan and Kobe is a safer bet. For modern, the top-tier rookies like Clark and Flagg are definitely seeing demand. Mid-range modern might be a bit of a mixed bag, but those unique inserts or visually appealing cards seem to have an edge.