Apr 6, 2022
THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE MOST VALUABLE LAMELO BALL ROOKIE CARDS
RANKING THE TOP LAMELO BALL ROOKIE CARDS ONE YEAR LATER — THE MOST VALUABLE LAMELO BALL ROOKIES 2022
In our initial article we covered the top & most valuable LaMelo Ball rookie cards. When the article was published, only a few of the 2020–21 Panini products had been released.
THE 1ST LAMELO BALL ROOKIE CARDS
LaMelo Ball Rookie Cards are found in 2020–21 basketball sets, but they’re not his first cards. Leaf released several pre-rookie cards of him as far back as 2018 — including autographs.
They create a unique situation seldom seen in basketball. Pre-dating his first NBA cards by a couple of years adds a level of intrigue. And for many, especially the autographs, they’ve continued to draw strong prices even as NBA signatures start to hit the market.
THE MOST VALUABLE LAMELO BALL ROOKIE CARDS
If money is no object, the key LaMelo Ball rookie card comes in 2020–21 National Treasures Basketball. This RPA is arguably the top high-end choice thanks to the NT brand power.
Headlining the high-end set is the Rookie Patch Autographs line. Featuring top NBA rookies, the RPA cards showcase oversized swatches and on-card autographs.
Coming in at #1: the most valuable LaMelo Ball Rookie Card — is none other than the 2020–21 Panini National Treasures LaMelo Ball RPA.
#1 2020–21 PANINI NATIONAL TREASURES RPA
THE GOLD STANDARD OF RPA’S?
Many of the most expensive and valuable NBA rookie cards come from one set — Panini National Treasures. It’s hard to compete with the look, massive game-worn jersey patches, the limited population and the insane value these fetch in the marketplace — several cards from this product have sold for over a million dollars.
Honorable mention cards in this set: National Treasures Colossal Material Autographs #CM-LMB, 2020 National Treasures LaMelo Ball Crossover RPA RC Patch Auto /11 and the National Treasures Clutch Factor RPA
HONORABLE MENTION
- 2020–21 Panini National Treasures LaMelo Ball Colossal Material Autographs Prime RC #CM-LMB
- 2020 National Treasures LaMelo Ball Crossover RPA RC Patch Auto /11
- 2020–21 Panini National Treasures Clutch Factor LaMelo Ball RPA
SHOULD I INVEST IN NATIONAL TREASURES?
National Treasures is the highest end product Panini has to offer — collectors can expect to pay around $4000 for the hobby boxes (double for 1st Off The Line) in hopes of pulling an RPA hit. And while some hobbyists do get lucky — the vast majority do not. After purchasing such an expensive product, many collectors are left frustrated and feeling cheated. Without having much to show for it.
Over the years I’ve bought 4 or 5 National Treasures Hobby boxes with no success. Looking back, I would have been better off paying a someone $10,000 for a swift kick in the dick… it would have yielded the same result but at least I would have saved around $10,000.
My RPA pulls: Tacko Fall, PJ Washington and a couple European dudes I’d never heard of.
Say you aren’t one of the lucky ones to pull that RPA hit— a product like this with such an enormous price tag should include several other big hits inside right?
The quality of filler cards in this product has gone down considerably in recent years, this year’s release was even worse than previous ones. Panini actually had the audacity to include sticker autos inside the 2020–21 release — an absolute insult to Customers who spend several thousand dollars for a few cards. In large part, due to Panini being lazy.
A printing plate (trash) and autographs of retired players/guys that haven’t touched a basketball over 20 years.
That being said — National Treasures is still the #1 product if you: have (a ton of) expendable income, are an extremely profitable drug dealer, compulsive gambler or masochistic. But, if you’re none of the above, have money to blow and are after a chance at pulling a life-changing card — a Logoman or low numbered RPA of a future star — this might be the set for you.
2. 2020–21 Panini Prizm Gold Shimmer LaMelo Ball SSP /10 Rookie Card
For someone as young as Ball, it’s rather surprising his card stock is doing quite well in the market. Apart from the cards stated above, you’ll see his more populous offerings, like his Prizms and Optics, are in demand in the hobby.
Of course, standing tall upon the rest of these cards are a select few that will surely catch anyone’s attention. Among them is this Prizm Gold Shimmer LaMelo Ball rookie card.
HONORABLE MENTION
- 2020 Panini Prizm LaMelo Ball Blue Shimmer Prizms RC #278 #’d/35
3. 2020–21 Panini Select Courtside #298 Lamelo Ball Rookie Card
2020–21 Panini Select Courtside LaMelo Ball Courtside Prizm Rookie Cards
- Courtside Neon Purple Pulsar Prizm RC #298
- Courtside Zebra, Elephant & Tiger Prizms RC #298
- Courtside Silver Prizm RC #298
4. 2020–21 LaMelo Ball Panini Crown Royale KABOOM! Rookie Card
Here comes the boom! As in Kaboom! This insert never disappoints year in and year out. Definitely pick up one of these for your LaMelo collection if you can find one available.
2020–21 Panini Flawless LaMelo Ball RPA Rookie Card
2020–21 Panini Spectra LaMelo Ball RPA Rookie Card
Wild designs and vivid color schemes again make 2020–21 Panini Spectra Basketball a distinct NBA set. But this year’s set is one of the best ever — especially for LaMelo Ball RPA’s.
The 2020 Spectra RPA’s are more vibrant and more unique than in years past and are easily some of the best looking RPA’s on the market. For those that’re looking for a LaMelo Ball rookie card that really sets itself apart from the others — The LaMelo Ball 2020–21 Panini Spectra might be the card for you.
2020–21 Panini Select Premier Level #183 Purple Pulsar Prizm
2020–21 Panini Crown Royale LaMelo Ball Autograph Jersey RPA #104 Rookie Card
2020–21 Crown Royale Basketball also offers the autographed LaMelo Ball rookies as redemptions. This includes his base Rookie Silhouettes card, as well as the die-cut Rookie Crown Autographs (#/99).
2020–21 LaMelo Ball Panini Spectra Color Blast Rookie Card
Color Blast rookie cards consistently make our lists here at Sports Card Sharks. The stark white background with that pop of color is just too good. The purple and teal of the Hornets uniforms really ties in nicely too. We are obsessed with this LaMelo rookie card.
2020–21 Panini Court Kings LaMelo Blank Slate Rookie Card
2020–21 Panini Immaculate Collegiate Lamelo Ball RPA Rookie Card
Our favorite in this set is the Rookie Patch card shown above. With very few LaMelo Ball rookie card options available so far, it’s nice to see one with the ole’ patchwork. If you’re looking for a more moderate investment, this is your card.
2020 Panini Flawless Collegiate LaMelo Ball Autographed Patch RC #114
Panini originally issued the 2020 Panini Flawless Collegiate exclusively through their website in December 2020. The set included a single pack of ten cards in a highly recognizable metal briefcase. 2020 Panini Flawless briefcases consist six autographed cards, two memorabilia cards, and two gem cards.
LaMelo’s 2020 Panini Flawless Collegiate rookie patch autograph card is serial-numbered to 20 and currently has a total population of three. PSA has graded all three cards, obtaining a PSA 8, PSA 9, and PSA 10, respectively.
This RPA featuring LaMelo Ball was fortunate to earn the PSA 10, fetching $4,088 on August 29, 2021. The ceiling is endless for the lone PSA 10 of Ball’s 2020 Panini Flawless Collegiate RPA.
2020–21 Panini Contenders Optic Rookie Ticket LaMelo Ball Auto
Just like Optic before it, Panini’s Contenders Optic is another product that looks good inside a slab. Blame it on the card’s clean design that will turn heads wherever it goes. But whatever the case may be, having Ball on one of these cards is surely a clear-cut winner.
2020–21 LaMelo Ball Panini Court Kings Aurora Rookie Card
If a rookie makes the Aurora insert from the Court Kings set then you better believe it’s going to be on our list. These cards are absolutely beautiful and also SUPER rare. Yes, please.
Please Check back in 24–48 hours as our staff completes this article!**
2018 LaMelo Ball Leaf Metal Draft Autograph RC #BK-LMB
Next up is this card which has the added benefit of an autograph placed just under the photo of Ball.
The addition of the autograph makes it a slightly more attractive option than the other early rookie cards displayed on this list. The autographed cards were also limited to a shorter print run, adding to the exclusivity of the card.
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