Top 10 Most Valuable Cards: 2012 Prizm Basketball

Hobby boxes of this iconic set sell for $70,000. Why? Well, not only is it the inaugural set of Prizm Basketball, it’s the first chromium set since Topps stopped making Topps Chrome Basketball in 2008-09.

In addition to that, the set features an autograph checklist that includes Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Jimmy Butler and Bradley Beal. The set also features a USA Basketball subset that further enhances interest and value.

Let’s get into the Top 10 Most Valuable cards from 2012 Prizm Basketball based on sales data from the last 365 days.

1. Kobe Bryant 2012 Prizm #24 Gold /10 BGS 9.5: Sold for $156,000 on 8/6/2022

An absolutely enormous sale of a Bryant Gold Prizm dominates this list. Partially because the Gold Prizm has become a perennial top chase card and partially because it’s a gem mint grade. But mostly because it’s Kobe.

2. Damian Lillard 2012 Prizm #245 Gold /10 PSA 10: Sold for $18,600 on 4/2/2023

Mr. Blazer was the sixth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and has had an amazing career as a 7-time All-Star and 7-time All-NBA honoree, but has never really, truly sniffed an NBA Championship. He could max out as the best Trail Blazer of all time, or he could rise to true greatness and break through in the Western Conference to see his card value skyrocket. If the latter happens, this purchase on April 2 should really pay off. If not, in spite of it being a highly sought after Gold Prizm, it could end up dipping quite a bit. All-in-all though, it is likely the most desirable Lillard rookie in existence.

3. Shaquille O’Neal 2012 Prizm #166 Gold /10 PSA 10: Sold for $17,400 on 7/21/2023

It can be argued that O’Neal doesn’t get as much hobby love as he should, given his career accolades, but in this case, his Gold Prizm is priced right up there with the top sales. Shaq is featured in his Lakers uniform, even though at this point he was retired after petering with the Suns and Celtics.

4. LeBron James 2012 Prizm #1 Silver PSA 10: Sold for $17,300 on 5/23/2023

We see here the first non-Gold Prizm sale in the top 10, and it makes sense given the player and the timing. Not only is James the all-time leading scorer and the greatest player on this list, but at the time of this sale he was in the Western Conference Finals against the Nuggets. While all LeBron cards sell, it will be interesting to see long term how his Heat cards perform against those in other NBA uniforms. Certainly this first Prizm is as significant a non-rookie as any.

5. Dwyane Wade 2012 Prizm #77 Gold /10 PSA 10: Sold for $16,200 on 6/25/2022

Speaking of the Heat, Wade played 13 of his 14 NBA Seasons in Miami, winning three championships and one NBA Finals MVP while racking up 8 All-NBA team honors and 13 All-Star Game appearances. His Gold Prizm was purchased for more than $16,000 about a year ago. Now a co-owner of the Utah Jazz, Wade will continue to be involved in sports business, fashion and culture for years to come. He was also voted to be enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame this upcoming August.

6. Kevin Garnett 2012 Prizm #33 Gold /10 PSA 9: Sold for $15,000 on 7/3/2022

Garnett was a 15-time NBA All-Star, one-time NBA MVP and one-time NBA Champion. Easily one of the best power forwards of all time, he was in a Celtics uniform in this Gold Prizm, which sold for $15,000 about 11 months ago. Even in PSA 9, it outsold all but five cards in the entire set, a credit to KG, his legacy, and the Gold Prizm /10 itself

7. Kevin Durant 2012 Prizm #35 Gold /10 BGS 9.5: Sold for $14,400 on 5/31/2023

The Gold Prizm dominates this list, and this Durant sale is a great example. Just like Bryant’s No. 24 card, it’s not a rookie, but this sale makes sense as a “First Prizm” of a top-25 player of all time in gem-mint condition.

8. Anthony Davis 2012 Prizm #236 Gold /10 PSA 9: Sold for $11,100 on 4/2/2023

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft has lived up to expectations, as an 8-time All-Star, 4-time All-NBA and 2020 NBA Champion, but has been injured quite a bit while playing only 96 regular season games over the last two seasons. 

However, his rookie Gold Prizm sold in PSA 9 for $11,100 on April 2, likely in anticipation of an NBA Playoff run. Still a dominant force at age 30, Davis’ Gold Prizm could increase in value over the years if he can stay healthy.

9. Bill Russell 2012 Prizm #153 Gold /10 PSA 10: Sold for $6,600 on 11/26/2022

A unique part of the Prizm set, the Finalists Set Checklist featured active and retired players, including one of the best of all time with Bill Russell. His Gold Prizm sold nearly three months after he passed away for almost $7,000.

10. LeBron James 2012 Prizm #1 Green PSA 10: Sold for $5,280 on 3/5/2023

The only player to land on the list twice, James’ Green Prizm SP (1:10 packs) in PSA 10 (pop 4) sold for more than $5,000 earlier this year, right after he broke the all-time scoring record.

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Paul Hickey is a regular contributor to Sports Card Investor, the creator of the Sports Card Investment Report at NoOffseason.com, and the host of the Sports Card Strategy Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. He can be found on Instagram at @sportscardstrategy and on Twitter @nooffseasoncard.