With Topps Basketball hitting shelves, the 2025 NBA rookie class has officially arrived. Cooper Flagg is the clear headliner — a generational prospect and Dallas’s new franchise centerpiece. But seasoned collectors know better than to chase only the obvious names.
This rookie class offers multiple players landing in situations that could accelerate their development and, consequently, their card values. From international phenoms to athletic marvels in major markets, here are the rookies whose cards deserve attention while the market is still finding its footing.
The Undisputed King
Cooper Flagg (#201), Dallas Mavericks
Let’s be clear: Flagg is the crown jewel of this class. His Topps base rookie and its various parallels will drive the high end of this market, and deservedly so. But with that consensus comes premium pricing from day one. For collectors looking to build positions without breaking the bank, the value lies in the players who landed in situations that could propel them into the conversation faster than the market anticipated.
Star Power Situations
Dylan Harper (#202), San Antonio Spurs
Harper’s landing spot might be the single best situation in this draft class outside of Flagg. He’s joining Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio, which means he’ll be playing alongside arguably the biggest attraction in basketball. The Wembanyama effect cannot be overstated. Spurs games draw global attention, highlights get amplified, and every promising young player is seen through the lens of building around a generational talent.
The Spurs’ rebuilding timeline aligns perfectly with Harper’s development curve. San Antonio has historically developed talent methodically, and Harper will get meaningful minutes from day one while learning from one of the league’s premier coaching staffs. The international attention that follows Wembanyama creates an immediate spotlight that most rookies never experience.
Ace Bailey (#205), Utah Jazz
Bailey finds himself in the ideal situation for a talented scorer: a rebuilding team with no established hierarchy and plenty of minutes to distribute. Utah is in full youth movement mode, which means Bailey will have the green light to showcase his offensive repertoire without the pressure of immediate playoff expectations.
The opportunity for volume is massive. In today’s NBA, usage rate drives stats, stats drive attention, and attention drives card values. Bailey has the talent to put up numbers immediately, and Utah’s situation guarantees he’ll get the chance. For collectors, this represents a classic “where situation meets skill” scenario where the market may be undervaluing his immediate statistical ceiling.
International Appeal
Yang Hansen (#216), Portland Trail Blazers
Hansen brings something unique to this rookie class: massive international reach with legitimate NBA upside. International players with strong home country followings can develop passionate collector bases that drive card values independent of U.S. market trends. Hansen’s game is drawing wild comparisons, being a center with great passing abilities, and Portland’s rebuilding situation means he should get opportunities to prove himself.
The Trail Blazers are actively searching for their next foundational pieces, and Hansen’s skill set gives him a real chance to carve out a significant role. If he flashes even glimpses of being a rotation piece on a future playoff team, his cards could see substantial appreciation. The international collector base provides a price floor that domestic-only prospects don’t enjoy.
High-Upside Situations
Khaman Maluach (#210), Phoenix Suns
The Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal experiment in Phoenix didn’t deliver the championship results the franchise envisioned, and the reality is this team might not be a contender. But here’s what makes Maluach intriguing regardless of Phoenix’s competitive trajectory: he’s 19 years old with an infectious personality that could make him a fan favorite independent of team success.
In today’s NBA card market, personality drives prices as much as production. Players who connect with fans through charisma, authenticity, and relatability can build passionate collector bases that sustain card values even when the wins don’t pile up.
If Maluach’s personality shines through in interviews, social media content, and on-court interactions, he could develop the kind of following that makes his cards attractive regardless of team record. Sometimes the best collecting opportunities aren’t tied to championships, they’re tied to players who become cultural figures within the basketball community.
Jeremiah Fears (#207), New Orleans Pelicans
Fears possesses that elusive “IT factor” that can’t be taught, the competitive fire and playmaking instinct that elevates teams. He’s joining a Pelicans squad that’s banking on a healthy Zion Williamson, and even if that version of Zion does not show up, Fears could still maximize his role in New Orleans. His play style aggressive, creative, unafraid, could make him a fan favorite and a highlight reel regular.
New Orleans has the pieces to be exciting but needs the connective tissue of quality guard play. Fears’ ability to push tempo and create advantages could energize an offense that’s been inconsistent when Zion has been limited. The Pelicans’ young core gives Fears room to grow without overwhelming pressure, while Zion’s presence provides the star power to keep games relevant.
VJ Edgecombe (#203), Philadelphia 76ers
Edgecombe’s athleticism is his calling card, and he’s landed in a massive market with a team that desperately needs regular season contributions. Philadelphia’s core of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey has championship talent but recent history shows those stars need support during the long regular season grind. If Edgecombe can provide athletic, energetic minutes that help manage the veterans’ workload, he becomes immediately valuable to the team’s success.
The beauty of Edgecombe’s situation is the dual-path value proposition: if the big three stays healthy and Edgecombe is showcasing his athleticism in meaningful playoff games, he becomes a hot chase. If injuries create opportunities for expanded roles, his increased usage drives attention. Either way, being an athletic guard making highlight plays in Philadelphia creates visibility that smaller markets can’t match.
What the Class has to offer
Cooper Flagg will rightfully command the premium prices in this rookie class, but smart collectors know that portfolio diversification across high-upside situations often outperforms going all-in on consensus picks. From Dylan Harper’s spotlight in San Antonio to Ace Bailey’s green light in Utah, the smart plays are the ones hiding in plain sight.
The best investors in the hobby know — value isn’t found in hype, it’s found in timing.
With Topps Basketball available on shelves this week who are you looking for? Let us know on Mantel!
