The Best Basketball Cards to Collect in 2025
From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic to rookies Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, these are the best basketball cards to collect in 2025.
Here are the basketball players you should focus on collecting before the year ends.
The 2025-26 basketball season is underway! Veteran players sit atop many of the leaderboards and remain popular among collectors. Some young players are also playing well, making them some of the best basketball cards to collect in 2025. Here are the players you should collect in 2025.
The Best Basketball Cards to Collect Right Now: Veterans
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 2018 Rookie
The Oklahoma City Thunder is the best team in the NBA, and Gilgeous-Alexander is a big reason why. Through 28 games, the Thunder are 25-3 with an undefeated record at home. SGA is averaging 32.5 points per game, second to Luka Doncic. In all, he’s posting similar numbers to his MVP season in 2024-25. You can find his rookie cards in 2018 Panini products.
Luka Doncic: 2018 Rookie
Doncic has been one of the best players in the league since he debuted during the 2018-19 season. He leads the league with 34.1 points per game at this point in the season. He also has 15 double-doubles and 3 triple-doubles in 21 games. Doncic’s rookie cards are in 2018 Panini products.
Nikola Jokic: 2015 Rookie
A 7-time All-Star, 3-time MVP, and 2023 NBA Champion, Jokic has consistently been one of the best players in basketball over the past few years. In 2025, he leads the league with 24 double-doubles and 13 triple-doubles. A longtime favorite among collectors, you can find his rookie cards in 2015 Panini products.
LeBron James: 2003 Rookie
James is arguably the best basketball player of all time. In 23 seasons, he’s a 21-time All-Star, 4-time MVP, 4-time NBA Champion, and holds the all-time scoring record. James has been one of the hobby’s most loved players, so it’s always a good time to add the future Hall of Famer to your collection. His rookie cards are in a variety of Topps and Upper Deck products and are some of the best basketball cards to collect.
Top Basketball Cards to Buy Right Now: Young Stars
Tyrese Maxey: 2020 Rookie
Maxey is putting together the best season of his career. He’s currently averaging a career high 31.7 points per game, good for third-best in the league. Maxey’s rookie cards are found in 2020 Panini products.
Jalen Johnson: 2021 Rookie
The Hawks forward is on a hot streak, averaging a triple-double over his last 10 games. On the season, Johnson has 19 double-doubles, second only to Nikola Jokic. According to Alt’s market trends, Johnson is one of the biggest risers among basketball players in the last 30 days. His rookie cards are found in 2021 Panini products.
Keyonte George: 2023 Rookie
George has been one of the bright spots during the Jazz’s disappointing season. His cards have been the most popular of any athlete over the last 30 days, according to Alt’s market trends. You can find his rookie cards in 2023 Panini products.
Victor Wembanyama: 2023 Rookie
Since debuting in 2023, Wembanyama is one of the hottest names in the hobby. He was the most hyped rookie since LeBron James in 2023, and there are countless highlights that prove why. He also won the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year Award. Wembanyama’s rookie cards are in 2023 Panini and Topps products.
The Top Rookies to Collect Right Now
Cooper Flagg: 2025 Rookie
Flagg headlined Topps’ return to fully licensed basketball cards, making him one of the best basketball cards to collect in 2025. According to Alt’s market trends, his cards are among the top risers in the sport. Through 28 games, he’s averaging 18.8 points per game and has 4 double-doubles. Flagg’s rookie cards are in 2025 Topps products.
Kon Knueppel: 2025 Rookie
The fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Knueppel’s rookie cards are giving Flagg’s a run for their money. He’s averaging 19.4 points per game and has 2 double-doubles. Along with Flagg, Knueppel’s rookie cards are the best basketball cards to collect from 2025 Topps products.
The Best Basketball Cards to Buy in 2025
These 10 players are some of the best basketball cards to buy right now. Are you ready to level up your collection? For these and other popular basketball cards, check out the AA Mint Cards online store today!