2024-25 Hoops NBA Preview: Prioritizing Fun Over Value

Hoops Basketball is back and remains the first NBA release of the season that collectors truly care about.

While it’s a low-end product, it’s a yearly tradition that introduces the latest rookie class—this time with players from the 2024 NBA Draft making their debut in NBA jerseys.

With the box priced at $140 for the January 24 release, is the 2024-25 Hoops Basketball a must-have, a pass, or just a fun rip? Let’s dig into the details and highlights for this year.

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2024 Hopps Basketball at a glance

• Release Date: January 24, 2025
• Price: $140 per box
• Configuration: 24 packs of 8 cards each
• Box Content: 1 autograph, 24 inserts/parallels

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The appeal of 2024-25 Hoops Basketball

2024-25 Hoops Basketball launches at $140 per box and promises 1 autograph and 24 inserts or parallels. Considering this product hit shelves at $250/box last year, this seems like a good sign that Panini openly acknowledges a weaker rookie class. 

True to its reputation, Hoops offers a no-frills approach but compensates with sheer volume and the thrill of uncovering rookie cards of future stars.

While certainly not flashy, Hoops continues to serve as the appetizer for the basketball season, delivering the first officially licensed NBA rookie cards—a milestone for every collector. If you’re lucky enough to hit a low-numbered card or an on-card rookie autograph, it could make the rip worthwhile.

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Unpacking 2024-25 Hoops Basketball set 

Hoops is the best-looking NBA release we’ve seen thus far for 2024-25. …That will change as soon as there’s a second option.

Joking aside, Hoops is about simplicity. It’s a basic product with no frills. The numbered parallels are as dull as parallels can be. As far as the design goes, it feels like it’s rushed. But, to be fair, it probably was. That’s part of the Hoops experience.

This year introduces some exciting changes, with the goal of keeping things fresh. The hobby-exclusive content includes:

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• Parallels: Additions like the new Orange (#’d/149) and Dragon Year (#’d/75) parallels join classics like Silver (#’d/199), Artist Proof Gold (#’d/10), and Artist Proof Black (1/1).
• Inserts: New designs such as Nobility, Funkadelic, and Dreamcatchers add variety. Plus, the popular Presentations insert returns with a Gold (#’d/10) parallel exclusive to Hobby boxes.
• Autographs: Look for on-card autographs of top rookies in the Hoops Art Signatures series, as well as signatures in Hot Signatures, Hoops Ink, and Rookie Ink. The new Platinum 1/1 parallel is a standout addition.

Hoops has stepped up the parallels as of late. There are way too many of them now. Presumably, this year’s set will be like last year’s, which includes:

• Blue
• Checkerboard Prizms Premium
• Green Prizms Premium
• Impulse
• Premium
• Purple
• Purple Winter
• Red Backs
• Silver Prizms Premium
• Teal Explosion
• Winter Prizms Premium
• Texture
• Winter
• Winter Purple Prizms Premium
• Storm – /299
• Purple Prizms Premium – /249
• Orange Prizms Premium – /199
• Premium Box Set – /199
• Pulsar Red Prizms Premium – /199
• Silver – /199
• Teal – /175
• Lime Green Prizms Premium – /149
• Orange – /149
• White Explosion – /149
• Purple Explosion – /110
• Blue Scope – /99
• Lazer Red Prizms Premium – /99
• Pulsar Blue Prizms Premium – /99
• Red Prizms Premium – /99
• Scope Blue Prizms Premium – /99
• Wave Blue Prizms Premium – /99
• Green – /99
• Green Explosion – /99
• Blue Winter Holo – /88
• Winter Blizzard Prizms Premium – /88
• Dragon Year – /75
• Red – /75
• Blue Explosion – /59
• Blue Prizms Premium – /49
• Lazer Blue Prizms Premium – /49
• Red Scope – /49
• Scope Red Premium Prizms – /49
• Artist Proof – /25
• Orange Explosion – /25
• Lazer Green Prizms Premium – /25
• Mojo Prizms Premium – /25
• Pulsar Green Prizms Premium – /25
• Scope Green Prizms Premium – /25
• Wave Green Prizms Premium – /25
• Red Explosion – /15
• Gold Artist Proof – /10
• Premium Gold Prizms – /10
• Green Scope – /8
• Yellow Checkerboard – /5
• Black Artist Proof – 1/1
• Gold Vinyl Prizms Premium – 1/1
• Nebula Prizms Premium – 1/1

Should you invest in Hoops Basketball?

Is the 2024-25 Hoops Basketball release worth the dice roll? If so, how should you approach it?

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Investing in a sealed box

With a $140 release-day price, it’s worth asking: is this a good hold?

History tells us Hoops isn’t usually a long-term investment unless it features an iconic rookie class (e.g., last year with Wemby or 2018-19 with Luka, Shai and Trey), but the release price of this year’s set is more than fair, if you ask us. See for yourself (prices as of 1/13/25).

• 2024-25: $140
• 2023-24: $200
• 2022-23: $135
• 2021-22: $125
• 2020-21: $185
• 2019-20: $190
• 2018-19: $525

Investing in singles

If you want to invest in singles, the best cards would be numbered Hoops parallels and rookie autographs. If you can buy raw and get them graded, bonus points for that. 

Nothing else will age well, even the PSA 10s of base rookies. So buy short prints, autographs and colored parallels if you want a long-term Hoops hold, and even if you do, Donruss is still going to be a better buy once it drops shortly thereafter. 

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Bottom line: Should you rip, hold or pass on 2024-25 Hoops Basketball?

Hoops Basketball is a low-end brand that’s a great rip with a young collector, but at $140 dollars per box on release day, it’s a really fun, affordable rip for anybody waiting to tear into this year’s NBA class.

What do you think of this product? What will it be worth in 5 years? Let us know on X at @card_lines.

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