LaMelo Ball is one of the most electrifying players to come into the league in the past few years! While he has been a very good player, his style of play and social media following have given him a popularity that outshines other players of his caliber in similar markets.
However, due to a poor team and injuries, there’s plenty of room for his cards to continue growing in popularity and value!
So let’s list down 11 of his best rookie cards that every collector should want!
Values are collected from eBay Sold Listings.
11 Best LaMelo Ball Rookies to Collect
- 2020-21 Panini Prizm Silver LaMelo Ball #275
- 2020-21 Panini Crown Royale Kaboom! LaMelo Ball #23
- 2020-21 Panini Contenders LaMelo Ball Cracked Ice Auto /25
- 2020-21 Panini Mosaic LaMelo Ball Orange Reactive #202
- 2020-21 Panini Select LaMelo Ball Courtside Zebra Prizm #398
- 2020-21 Donruss Choice LaMelo Ball Auto
- 2020-21 Donruss Optic Holo LaMelo Ball #153
- 2020-21 Prizm LaMelo Ball #278
- 2020-21 Panini One and One LaMelo Ball Downtown #4
- 2020-21 Panini Spectra LaMelo Ball Color Blast
- 2020-21 National Treasures LaMelo Ball RPA /99
1. 2020-21 Panini Prizm Silver LaMelo Ball #275
PSA 10 Value: $520
Let’s start with the flagship rookie for basketball and football players! First, you get the top of the mass-produced brands in Prizm, but then you get the highly sought after silvers. Sure, there are numbered cards in the set and autos that are more valuable, but for a relatively attainable card, these sure carry a nice value.
In fact, the silver is generally more valuable and sought after than any of the non-numbered color parallels.
2. 2020-21 Panini Crown Royale Kaboom! LaMelo Ball #23
PSA 10 Value: $2,900
We see this often in the hobby—a set that’s often overlooked, except for some rare and valuable inserts. However, there’s no overlooking Kabooms, one of the more popular insert sets in the entire hobby (and one of the only reasons that people purchase Crown Royale).
Even guys without hobby love can still have Kabooms sell for hundreds of dollars—and LaMelo (with his popularity) will certainly set you back on his.
3. 2020-21 Panini Contenders LaMelo Ball Cracked Ice Auto /25
PSA 10 Value: $9,500
Contenders is another set that’s many collectors shy away from. Many just don’t like the look and they can feel a bit cheap—especially if you’re buying blasters.
However, their autos are some of the more sought after in the hobby! Just take a look at this one—numbered to 25, on-card auto (even if his isn’t pretty), and the cool cracked ice design make this a must-have for a serious LaMelo Ball collector.
4. 2020-21 Panini Mosaic LaMelo Ball Orange Reactive #202
PSA 10 Value: $45
Let’s dive into the bargain bin for a minute here to respect all levels of collectors! Mosaic has some hefty parallels (such as the Genesis, which could have made this list), but even their low-level color inserts feel high quality and look cool.
Here, you can get an orange mosaic, with the explosive design behind an action shot of LaMelo going to the hoop. If you’re on a tighter budget, you can’t go wrong with this one.
5. 2020-21 Panini Select LaMelo Ball Courtside Zebra Prizm #398
PSA 10 Value: $3,800
Okay, let’s get expensive again! Many collectors begrudge that Select has too many parallels and die cuts. When everything looks special, nothing is.
But, that’s not the case with their super-rare parallels, including snakeskin, elephant, and the zebra! Pulling any of those ensures a nice payday, and this variation pictured is of the rarer Courtside. (Concourse is the base, then Premier is a step up, and then Courtside).
6. 2020-21 Donruss Choice LaMelo Ball Auto
Estimated Value: $220
This one’s on the list because of its price tag and for being a cool card! Not a lot of people care too much about it because it’s not Optic, and the hobby boxes are famous for only having a few cards in them!
And yes, it is unfortunately a sticker auto, but the rest of the card looks pretty snazzy and you’re able to grab this card at an extremely affordable price for a rookie auto of a popular player!
7. 2020-21 Donruss Optic Holo LaMelo Ball #153
PSA 10 Value: $115
The little brother of the Silver Prizm are the Optic Holos. While these cards have the same quality to them and the silvery finish as the Prizm version, they sell for much less.
However, they are still liked around the hobby and will always carry some value.
8. 2020-21 Prizm LaMelo Ball #278
PSA 10 Value: $60
Yes, this is a base card, the only one on this list! That’s because even though base cards have gone through some rough times, Prizm seem semi-immune. For these massively overproduced cards to still sell for $60 just shows how well Prizm is thought of in the hobby.
Sure, if you can afford a color parallel, that’s generally a better option for investing purposes, but this base card is still a pretty good one to have in your collection.
9. 2020-21 Panini One and One LaMelo Ball Downtown #4
PSA 10 Value: $5,000
If you’re a serious LaMelo Ball rookie card collector, this one must be in your collection. Panini One and One isn’t a super-mainstream brand, but they produce some quality stuff.
Like the Kabooms, Downtowns are very rare, very popular, and very valuable. Their city- or team-specific cards give them a snazzy feel that fans of that team absolutely love. One of the best cards on this list for a reason.
10. 2020-21 Panini Spectra LaMelo Ball Color Blast
PSA 9 Value: $2,000
Spectra is another one that falls under the radar, partly because it’s a hobby-only product, and boxes usually cost around $1,000! So while it doesn’t gather the attention of super-premium brands like National Treasures, they’re not as widely known because retail buyers don’t see it.
However, those who purchase Spectra (or participate in breaks for it), know there are some incredible cards in that set!
These color blast cards are some of the coolest in the hobby. You rarely find cards this striking and this clean. Plus add in their rarity, and you get a card that you’ll love to chase.
11. 2020-21 National Treasures LaMelo Ball RPA /99
PSA 10 Value: $25,000
This one has to be included on the list for the most hardcore of LaMelo Ball collectors! Many consider the /99 from from National Treasures to be the “true” RPA card (although there’s some debate on that). Which is why sometimes the /99 can outsell a lower number version… although of course an /1 or /10 will definitely do better.
But just look at this beauty—crazy patch, clean auto, and a clear and obvious serial number (which is always appreciated). There’s a reason this beauty will set you back the price of a car.