2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball Preview: Back, But Not Better

The 2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball marks the second consecutive unlicensed release from Topps, featuring NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) licensing but lacking official NBA team logos and names.

This limitation affects the visual appeal and authenticity for some collectors. However, it’s noteworthy that Topps is set to acquire full NBA licensing starting October 1, 2025, making this the final unlicensed Chrome basketball product from the company. 

The set boasts a 200-card base collection, encompassing a mix of current players, retired legends, and 49 rookies, including top picks like Zaccharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr.

Despite the inclusion of these rookies, the overall checklist lacks depth in terms of star power, which may influence its long-term value and appeal.

Overview for 2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball:

Releasing at just $170/box, the 2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball set marks the final unlicensed release from Topps before acquiring full NBA licensing in October 2025.

Despite the absence of official NBA team logos and names, this release offers a blend of nostalgic design elements and modern flair, catering to both seasoned collectors and newcomers through its inserts and design.

Here are a few need-to-knows:

Base Set

• Total Cards: 200
  • Rookies: 50 promising newcomers
  • Veterans and Legends: 150 current stars and retired greats
    

The base set provides a comprehensive overview of basketball talent across eras, featuring a mix of established players and emerging prospects.

Parallels

Collectors can chase an extensive lineup of 29 different parallels, including:

• Gold Vinyl Superfractors: 1-of-1 cards known for their shimmering finish and rarity
• FrozenFractors: Uniquely numbered from negative one (-1) to negative five (-5), offering a distinctive twist for enthusiasts

These parallels enhance the chase element, providing opportunities for collectors to find rare and valuable variations.

Inserts

The set introduces several standout inserts.

• 451: A super short print (SSP) featuring a die-cut flame design, highlighting electrifying players
• Rock Stars: Pays homage to classic 1990s Topps Chrome designs with a distinctive die-cut appearance
• Ultra-Violet All-Stars: Combines dynamic photography with original artwork, presenting players in vibrant designs reminiscent of vintage UV posters
• Radiating Rookies: Spotlights emerging talent with eye-catching designs
• Helix: Features a spiral-themed design, adding a modern touch to the insert lineup

These inserts offer a mix of nostalgia and innovation, appealing to a wide range of collectors.

Autographs

Autograph collectors will find several sets to pursue:

• Topps Chrome Autographs: Mirrors the base card designs but includes player signatures
• Next Stop Signatures: Showcases top selections from the 2024 Draft with a design inspired by the New York City Subway system
• Sky-Light Signatures: Features players with a backdrop of a stylized sky, adding visual appeal
• 1973 Topps Autographs: A throwback to vintage designs, celebrating the history of basketball cards
• Chromographs: Offers a modern design with bold signatures

These autograph sets provide depth and variety, enhancing the overall collecting experience.

Product configurations in Topps Chrome Basketball 2024-25

Hobby Box:

• Packs per Box: 12
• Cards per Pack: 8
• Autographs per Box: 2
• Base Card Parallels per Box: 24
  

Mega Box:

• Packs per Box: 7
• Cards per Pack: 6
• Exclusive Parallels: 10 blue basketball refractors per box
  

Value Blaster Box:

• Packs per Box: 8
• Cards per Pack: 4
• Exclusive Parallels: Pink basketball refractors

Each configuration offers a different collecting experience, catering to various preferences and budgets.

Pros and cons of investing in 2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball

From an investor’s perspective, the 2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball release presents a complicated equation—one where the eye-catching design and affordability are weighed against a lack of licensing and star power.

On the positive side, there’s something undeniably appealing about the Topps Chrome brand. It carries legacy weight in other sports, and even in its early unlicensed basketball stages, the product offers a well-built foundation.

The card stock is high quality, the designs are clean and familiar, and the inserts are often inventive. The variety of parallels—especially unique options like FrozenFractors and Gold Vinyl Superfractors—adds real chase appeal. A

Another potential upside? This is the last unlicensed Topps Chrome basketball release before the NBA license kicks in in 2025.

That context could give the set niche appeal as a transitional piece—a sort of “before the boom” product in the broader history of basketball cards. And if any of the underwhelming rookies in the set pop in the future, there could be grading and flipping upside for low-print parallels and rare autos.

But the red flags are difficult to ignore. First and foremost, the lack of official NBA licensing is a major hit for long-term value.

While collectors might tolerate it in the short term for the novelty or designs, the absence of team names and logos will likely limit the ceiling for both individual cards and sealed product over time. Historically, unlicensed products—no matter how sharp the design—rarely hold value unless the player featured becomes a generational star.

And that leads to the next issue: the rookie class isn’t strong enough to carry the product. Without a standout name driving demand, there’s little reason for secondary market values to rise significantly.

Combine that with the fact that many collectors prefer licensed autographs of top-tier players, and it becomes clear that this product may struggle to maintain momentum after release.

The checklist compounds these concerns. There are also some elite NBA veterans missing—for example, there’s no Luka in this product.

Final Verdict: Should you rip, hold or pass on 2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball

So, does 2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball have some upside? Sure. As a short-term flip, there may be brief windows around release where graded parallels or SSP inserts generate decent returns, especially for low-pop rookies or flashy case hits.

And sealed boxes might see a mild bump closer to 2025 if collectors start chasing Topps Chrome basketball once it takes over the NBA licensing once again. 

But as a long-term investment, the product has a low floor and only a modest ceiling. The lack of both licensing and elite talent puts it at a disadvantage against nearly every other basketball release this year.

If you’re buying to rip for fun or as a collector who loves the Topps Chrome aesthetic, go for it. At $170, it’s not a huge risk. But if you’re buying to invest, you’ll want to do so with eyes wide open and expectations firmly in check.

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