2023-24 Spectra Basketball Preview: High-End Optichrome

With 2023-24 Spectra is back for 2023-24 with a $850 price tag for a 20-card box and is one of the noteworthy releases for September 2024. While it’s inherently a risky rip, is it a good investment?

In this article, we’ll preview Spectra 2023-24, which is set to release on September 6th, 2024 and let you know what you should expect. 

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Spectra Basketball product intro 

This release marks a decade of Spectra Basketball – pretty phenomenal. Since its 2013 introduction, the product has remained pretty consistent in what it delivers: not many cards but many hits at a price.

The Spectra boxes are often priced similarly to Prizm but contain about a quarter as many cards.

This year, Spectra attempts to carry the torch while retaining what collectors love about it, and all in all, this is done effectively. A few new inserts help the product feel updated without straying too far away from what makes Spectra, Spectra. 

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What to expect from 2023-24 Spectra Basketball

2023-24 Spectra averages 6 hits per box. Each box contains 20 cards, so you can do the math – you’re running a high percentage of hits per box.

Typically, the structure is the same: four packs of five cards each. The top two cards in each pack are base cards, followed by memorabilia and then an autograph on the back. If you’re ripping packs, there’s weight with every one of them here. 

Every card in Spectra is numbered. The highest-numbered card you’ll pull from the product is /149, and there are many lower-numbered parallels. Each box contains at least one RPA, but I’ve seen a few breaks where 2 are pulled. Don’t count on it.

The cards are artful, and all the parallels use dazzling prizm or mosaic effects to deliver some beautiful cards. We’l look at Parallels more in a bit. 

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Diving into the 2023-24 Spectra Basketball release notes

One notable omission in 2023-24 Spectra is the absence of autographs from Victor Wembanyama, who’s exclusively signing for Fanatics/Topps. 

As always, 2023-24 Panini Spectra Basketball elevates chrome to a premium level. The checklist features an abundance of autographs and a significant number of memorabilia cards.

Additionally, there is a wide array of colorful parallels, including the popular Color Blast inserts.

To appreciate Spectra, remember how it fits into the larger picture: Prizm is the flagship product, Select caters to a broad audience, and Optic offers a nostalgic touch. Spectra distinguishes itself with high-end elements, including a thicker card stock for the base set.

It also stands out for its multi-color parallels, which create an abstract twist on player rainbows. Parallels such as Astral, Meta, and Universal Die-Cut are exclusive to hobby packs.

One of the standout signature sets is the Rookie Jersey Autographs, which, like the base cards, come in various parallels. These include Celestial (/99), Supernova (/75), Interstellar (/49), Astral (/35), Meta (/25), Gold (/10), Marble (/5), and Nebula Logoman (1/1).

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Formats of 2023-24 Spectra Basketball

Spectra is a hobby-only release, and the box breaks down like this:

Hobby Box

• 4 cards per pack. 
• 5 packs per box. 
• 4 Autographs (includes 1 RPA)
• 2 Memorabilia
• 2 Parallels

2023-24 Spectra information 

The Spectra lineup looks very familiar to last year’s boxes, even at the hobby level, but there are a few new inserts and Spectra colors to add flare. 

Here’s a look at last year’s hobby colors, and we can assume very similar makeup this year:

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• Celestial – /99
• Hyper – /75
• Interstellar – /60
• Neon Blue Die-Cut – /50
• Astral – /40
• Neon Green Die-Cut – /30
• Meta – /25
• Neon Pink Die-Cut – /20
• Neon Orange Die-Cut – /15
• Universal Die-Cut – /10
• Neon Splatter – /8
• Psychedelic – /5
• Neon Marble – /4
• Nebula – /2
• Gold – 1/1

Value of 2023-24 Spectra Basketball

If you’re hoping to invest in Spectra 2023-24, the first question to answer is if you should buy singles or wax. 

Wax Value

This year’s Spectra has been pre-ordering for $900. Here’s how that stacks up against the current resell value from previous years. 

• 2023-24: $850 (pre-order)
• 2022-23: $560
• 2021-22: $410
• 2020-21: $725
• 2019-20: $550

Immediately, these numbers say “Don’t invest in this product for a long-term hold.” Not all boxes are selling for more than the pre-order this year, and this autograph-driven product will be hollow this year without a Wembanyama autograph. 

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Investing in Spectra Basketball singles

If you invest in Spectra singles, the RPAs are the standout option from Spectra. They’re typically numbered to /99 so they’re limited enough to be hard to find, but also popular to be a logical chase. 

And they’re also thick cards, which means a PSA 10 is very unlikely. While I’d encourage you to chase PSA 10 on Prizm and Optic cards, a PSA 9 (or even an 8) is A-OK for Spectra, as is a nice raw card.

If you want a Spectra Wemby, look at the SSPs. 

Bottom line: Rip, Flip, Hold or Pass?

2023-24 Spectra Basketball is not a long-term hold but a risky rip. While this is a fun product, it’s not one that I’d personally engage with, especially this year. More money can be lost on Spectra than it can be made. 

What do you think of 2023-24 Spectra? Share your thoughts on Twitter @card_lines.

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