Topps is officially back in basketball, and collectors couldn’t be more excited.
For the first time in over fifteen years, Topps is producing licensed NBA cards again with the release of the 2025 Topps Basketball set. The return of one of the hobby’s most iconic brands brings a wave of nostalgia for longtime collectors and a fresh spark of excitement for those new to the game.
Arriving on October 23, 2025, this release has quickly become one of the most talked-about products of the year. The timing couldn’t be better either—with a new NBA season tipping off and a wave of rising stars ready to make their mark on the court, the energy around this launch is unmatched.
Here’s what makes the 2025 Topps Basketball set special and which cards you’ll want to look for once packs start hitting the shelves.
The Return of Topps Basketball
Topps hasn’t produced a licensed NBA set since 2009, so this return is huge for the hobby. The company has a rich history in sports cards, and bringing that back to basketball has fans excited for both the nostalgia and the fresh designs.
The 2025 Topps Basketball set officially releases on October 23, 2025, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated products of the year.
What’s Inside Each Box
Each hobby box comes with 20 packs containing 12 cards each, and you can expect at least one autograph or relic card inside. The base set includes 300 cards featuring rookies, current stars, and legends, giving collectors a little bit of everything in every rip.
Best Inserts to Chase in 2025 Topps Basketball
Topps didn’t just bring back its name—it brought back creativity. The insert lineup in 2025 Topps Basketball combines hobby tradition with new concepts that capture both the history and the energy of today’s game.
Clutch City Prospects spotlights the top rookies from the 2025 draft class, giving collectors an early look at the league’s next big names.
MVP Vault honors some of the greatest players to ever win the NBA’s most valuable player award, from legends of the past to the stars who define the game today.
All Kings highlights the league’s best players with this die-cut set that looks like playing cards.
Home Court is the signature case-hit insert collectors have come to expect from Topps. It rivals Panini’s iconic Kaboom! series, bringing that same high-energy, collectible feel to basketball for the first time.
This variety of inserts makes the product exciting to open, with every pack offering a chance to pull something bold, nostalgic, or completely new.
Best Parallels to Chase in 2025 Topps Basketball
Here are the main parallels to look for this year:
Gold /2025 – A classic Topps favorite that connects directly to the release year. The clean metallic finish makes it one of the most recognizable cards in the set.
Black /68 – Numbered to 68 to mark 68 years since the very first Topps Basketball release in 1957. It’s a subtle nod to history and one of the tougher parallels to pull.
Wood /25 – A textured design that captures the look and feel of a hardwood court. With only 25 copies made, these cards stand out as some of the most distinctive in the product.
First Card 1/1 – This one-of-one marks the first printed copy of each card number, giving player and team collectors a true centerpiece card to hunt.
FoilFractor 1/1 – The ultimate chase card. The bright foil finish and one-of-one rarity make this parallel the highlight of the product for serious collectors.
Best Autographs to Chase in 2025 Topps Basketball
Autographs are always at the heart of a great Topps release, and this year’s lineup delivers a mix of superstar ink and rookie signatures that collectors will be hunting for all season.
The main autograph subsets include:
Rookie Photoshoot Autographs – Featuring the top players from the 2025 draft class, these cards are signed on-card and showcase each rookie in their official NBA uniforms for the first time.
1980–81 Topps Autographs – A nostalgic throwback design that brings a vintage look to modern signatures, perfect for collectors who appreciate the history of the hobby.
Look for names like Cooper Flagg, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Victor Wembanyama to headline the autograph chase list, with rare parallels and 1/1 versions adding serious value.
Whether you’re after a veteran legend or a first-year breakout, the 2025 Topps Basketball autograph lineup has no shortage of grails to chase.
The Rookie Class Everyone’s Watching
The 2025 rookie class is loaded with potential, and Topps captured all the key names in this release.
Cooper Flagg, the number one overall pick, headlines the checklist and serves as the face of the product. His rookie cards, autographs, and parallels are expected to be among the most sought-after cards of the year.
Beyond Flagg, keep an eye out for rookies like Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, Ace Bailey, and Kon Knueppel. Each has strong potential to make an immediate impact, and their Topps rookie cards could become staples in modern collections.
Where to Rip 2025 Topps Basketball
One of the best parts of the 2025 Topps Basketball release is that collectors don’t have to rip alone. Thanks to eBay Live, you can tune in and watch trusted sellers break boxes live, chat with other collectors, and even grab a spot in real-time team or player breaks.
Here are a few of the featured sellers hosting live breaks on release day, October 23:
- LilPullMan — Topps Flagship NBA Release Day – Debut Stream at 6:00 a.m. MST
- HoneyHoleCollect — 2025-26 Topps Basketball Random Team Breaks starting at 10:00 a.m. MST
- BLEZSportsCards — Topps NBA Flagship Release Day with Lombardi at 12:00 p.m. MST
- CardVaultBreaks — Topps Basketball PYT + $1 Auctions at 2:00 p.m. MST
- BlackGoldSportsCards — $1 Random Team 2025-26 Topps Basketball Hobby & Jumbo Breaks at 7:00 a.m. MST
Live breaks are a great way to see the product opened in real time, experience big hits as they happen, and connect with the hobby community. You can also buy into the action directly through eBay Live if you want a shot at pulling your own autograph or 1/1 parallel on camera.
If you want to learn more about how eBay Live works, check out our blog post “How eBay Live is Changing the Way We Rip” for a deeper look at how to join, buy in, and make the most of live-streamed breaks.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Topps Basketball release feels like the start of a new era for NBA collectors. It’s the perfect mix of nostalgia and innovation, pairing Topps’ timeless style with a fresh wave of talent on the court.
With a strong rookie class, deep parallel lineup, and creative inserts, this product offers something for every collector—whether you’re chasing your first autograph, building a rainbow, or just enjoying the return of an iconic brand.
Topps Basketball is back, and it was worth the wait.
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