How to start collecting basketball cards

Basketball card collecting has evolved over the years. While traditionally fans may have kept them in cardboard shoeboxes, today it involves physical collecting and digital convenience. Getting started is straightforward once you know the basics. 

This guide breaks down what NBA trading cards are, key industry terms, card valuation factors and how you can start opening digital and physical basketball card packs today.

What are NBA* trading cards?

NBA trading cards are officially licensed collectibles that feature active National Basketball Association players and legends. They’re produced by manufacturers like Panini and Topps and range from standard decks to rare and highly sought-after inserts and autographed pieces. 

Fans collect them to showcase their favorite teams, follow rising talent and simply enjoy the thrill of opening packs. Cards can also serve as a memento of iconic players. 

How does online NBA* card ripping work?

Online card ripping brings the classic approach of opening NBA card packs in person into the digital age. Instead of walking into a shop and buying a physical pack of cards, collectors open digital packs on platforms like OG.com. 

Each paid digital pack contains one real, physical card stored securely in a vault. Once revealed, the card appears in your portfolio, where you decide whether to ship the item directly to your doorstep or sell it back instantly. 

Note that for shipping purposes, identity verification (KYC) and an eligible US address are required.

Top tips for collecting basketball cards

Choose a player, team or era to collect

With thousands of different cards released every season, having a focus can help to keep your collection organized and more enjoyable. This is why some people prioritize:

1. Players: Focus on a single player, gathering their base cards, rare cards and autographs across different seasons. 
2. Teams: Collect active rosters or historic line-ups like the Lakers, Celtics or Bulls.
3. Rookies: Target NBA rookie cards, which feature promising young players in their debut season. 
4. Sets: Try to complete full product sets from specific releases. 

Set a budget for your first basketball cards

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of high-end releases, so setting a budget can be useful. It helps to decide how much you want to spend per month or per pack break. 

Basketball cards come at a range of price points, and setting a budget means you can enjoy opening NBA card packs responsibly while gradually building your collection. 

Read the season, product and rookie designation

Understanding the information printed on a card can help you to identify its place in the market. 

1. Season/year: NBA card seasons usually span two calendar years to reflect the basketball season schedule.
2. Product line: Manufacturers offer different brands for different price points.
3. Rookie cards: Cards that feature a player during their debut NBA season carry an official RC logo on the front. These are generally desirable. 

Example of basketball card collection. Image: Supportcaringllc

Understand parallels, inserts and rookie patch autographs 

Modern packs contain more than just standard cards. Knowing the different types can help you to spot a valuable addition: 

• Inserts: Themed cards that highlight a unique design, championship run or defense stat. 
• Parallels: Color variations or serial-numbered versions of standard cards.
• Autographs and patch cards: Cards containing player signatures or embedded swatches of game-worn jerseys.
• Rookie Patch Autographs: These cards combine a rookie player’s signature with a premium jersey patch on a single serial-numbered card. 

Check the card’s condition and grade

A card’s physical condition directly impacts its market value. While raw and ungraded cards are common, serious collectors often turn to professional grading services, which look at:

1. Centering: How evenly the image and borders are aligned on the card.
2. Corners: Sharpness and lack of fraying or dulling.
3. Edges: Clean borders without chipping or roughness.
4. Surface: Assessing scratches, print lines, creases or smudges. 

Graded basketball cards are given a grade from 1 to 10 and sealed in a tamper-evident plastic case. A card graded 10 can command a significant premium compared with an ungraded version of the same card. 

How to start ripping NBA* cards online with OG.com

1. Sign in or create an account. Open OG.com on the app or website and select Rips and choose basketball.
2. Choose your NBA pack. Select a category and tier, then check its Odds page.
3. Pay. Tap Rip for $X and complete payment using an available method.
4. Reveal your card. Tap to select a pack, then swipe to rip, and share your reveal on social media. 
5. Choose Keep or Sell. If keeping, use the countdown in My collection to arrange shipping or sell before time runs out.

Deciding whether to keep your card or sell it back

Once you reveal a card on OG.com you have two options:

1. Keep: You can request to ship or accept the cash offer within the buyback window. This is one day for the welcome pack and three days for other packs.
2. Sell: You sell the card back to our fulfillment partner (Phygitals) instantly at the displayed buyback value provided by Phygitals. Cash is credited to your wallet balance right away. The card moves to the Sold section in your Portfolio.

Protect and organize your basketball card collection

If you choose to receive physical cards at home, keeping them protected helps preserve their condition. You can do this with:

• Penny sleeves: Thin plastic sleeves that protect cards from scratches. 
• Toploaders: Rigid plastic holders used with penny sleeves to prevent bending.
• Magnetic one-touch cases: Premium acrylic cases designed for high-value cards, rookie patch autographs (RPAs) and autographs. 
• Storage boxes: Sturdy boxes designed to store cards away from sunlight, humidity and heat.

FAQs about collecting NBA* card packs and online ripping

How much money do you need to start collecting basketball cards?

Packs start at $5 on OG.com, for the Rookie tier. 

Can a player have more than one NBA rookie card?

Yes. Multiple licensed cards are released throughout a player’s debut season, so a player can have different rookie cards across different product lines.

Does an RC logo mean a basketball card is rare?

The RC logo means the card was printed during the player’s rookie season. Rare versions depend on serial numbering, parallel finishes and autographs.

What is the RPA card meaning?

RPA stands for Rookie Patch Autograph. This means the card is from the player’s debut season and features an authentic player signature and embedded piece of jersey material. 

Are all basketball patch cards game-worn?

No. Some patches are game-worn or game-used, meaning the player wore the jersey in an official NBA game. Others are event-worn or player-worn. Details are usually printed on the back of the card. 

What does PSA 10 mean on a basketball card?

A PSA 10 rating means ‘Gem Mint’ condition from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). It means the card is virtually flawless in terms of corners, surface and centering. 

How much are basketball cards worth?

Values range from a few cents for common cards to millions of dollars for ultra-rare collectibles. The value depends on player popularity, card rarity, condition and market demand. 

Do online basketball card packs contain real cards?

Yes, online packs on OG.com contain real physical cards stored in secure facilities until you decide to sell or ship them within the buyback window. 

Can you choose the player or team you receive from an online pack?

Not on OG.com. You choose a category, such as Basketball, and a pack tier, but not the specific player or team. Each paid pack contains one card.

Can you have basketball cards opened online shipped to your home?

Yes, if you’ve completed identity verification, have an eligible U.S. address and request shipping within the buyback window. The card must also be eligible to ship. 

Can you sell a basketball card back instead of having it shipped?

Yes. OG.com offers an instant buyback option that lets you sell cards you don’t want to keep. Proceeds are credited to your USD Wallet, and you can withdraw them after completing identity verification. 

What happens if you don’t choose shipping or a buyback immediately? 

You can request to ship or accept the cash offer within the buyback window. This is one day for the welcome pack and three days for other packs. If no action is taken after the buyback window, you are deemed to have accepted the buyback offer presented by Phygitals.

Important information: OG.com Rips is offered by OGMUS. Subject to Terms and Conditions; 18+ only. OG.com Rips are not regulated by the CFTC. Images shown do not represent a typical result. OGMUS also provides access to third-party services, including CFTC-regulated products.

*NFL, NBA, MLB, and Pokémon are third-party brands; their owners are not parties to the sale of cards via OG.com Rips