They changed the game and re-wrote the record book. The great ones altered the course of their franchise. George Mikan was the NBA’s first true superstar and his rookie card is worth a fortune but as African-American players joined the NBA, competition at the center position heated up.
Here’s a look at the rookie cards of some of pro basketball’s greatest big men of the last 60 years.
5 – Shaquille O’Neal
A four-time NBA champion and a three-time Finals MVP, Shaq averaged 20 points per game in each of his first 14 seasons. With a big personality and game to match, he was a huge favorite of card collectors during his early years in the league. Debuting at a time when the sports card hobby was exploding, he has others that are more valuable but the unique 1992-93 Upper Deck card remains an icon.
4 – Hakeem Olajuwon
He was “Akeem” when his 1986-87 Fleer card was issued but eventually, the “H” came aboard. Olajuwon was a versatile, smooth big man who transitioned easily to the pro game after an exceptional college career. The Fleer card is his “official” rookie card but his “true” rookie card was in the 1984-85 Star Company set, which wasn’t distributed in traditional pack form. Either is a worthy addition for collectors.
3 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
After a 12-year absence, Topps returned to basketball card production in 1969-70, no doubt encouraged by the hoopla around the arrival of Lew Alcindor (who later became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Card #25 in the 99-card set is by far the most sought after. A challenge to find in high-grade thanks in part to the issue’s unusual rectangular size, it pictures the man who’d become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
2 – Wilt Chamberlain
Perhaps no better card aligns so well with a player’s greatest season. The virtually unstoppable Chamberlain averaged 50 points per game in 1961-62 and set the record of 100 in a single contest. He has an “In Action” card in the set as well, but this is considered his primary rookie card. Plagued by centering issues, it’s a high-grade toughie but is worth owning in any condition.
1 – Bill Russell
Five years after its first comprehensive (and now legendary) baseball card set, Topps got into the basketball market. It wasn’t a huge success and the company would sit on the bench for the next dozen years. However, the set did give us the 1957-58 Bill Russell rookie card, the only mainstream bubble gum card of this legend, who won 11 titles in 13 seasons. Well-centered near mint examples are scarce.
Other Greats
Of course, there are several other Hall of Fame centers with great rookie cards like Bill Walton (1974-75 Topps), Moses Malone (1975-76 Topps), Elvin Hayes (1969-70 Topps), Willis Reed (1969-70 Topps), and David Robinson (several brands in 1989-90). If you’re not fussy about condition, many can still be owned for minimal investment but if you’re buying for the long term, it’s always best to consider graded cards in the best condition you can reasonably afford.