Below are the top 10 cards from the 1990 NBA Hoops basketball set. We’ve also included some extra NBA memorabilia items from 1990 that would be great additions to any collection.
The 1990 NBA Hoops basketball set, produced during an era when the NBA was beginning to explode in popularity. Has emerged as another popular area of interest for collectors.
Instead of utilizing a rectangular shape, the photo of the player on the card’s front within the background contains a rounded top. With the overall design resembling a rounded entryway.
The bottom left of the card contains the NBA Hoops brand name and the bottom right contains the team logo. The rear of the card lists player statistics and career accomplishments.
10. Magic Johnson Card #157
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $45
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $10
The greatest point guard in NBA history. Magic Johnson enjoyed a legendary career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning 5 championships with the franchise during the 1980s.
Johnson revolutionized the point guard position, with his 6-foot, 9-inch height and overall versatility making him nearly impossible to defend.
The 1989-1990 season saw Johnson win his 3rd regular season MVP award and lead the Lakers to a league-best 63-19 record.
The #157 card features Johnson holding the ball near his right shoulder about to make a pass. With his impressive college and pro statistics listed on the rear.
The words “Most Valuable Player” are listed in a yellow box on the upper right of the card’s front. Acknowledging Johnson’s MVP award from the ’89-90 season.
9. Gary Payton Rookie Card #391
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $60
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $12
Probably the 2nd or 3rd best guard in the NBA during the 1990s. Gary Payton was one of the best perimeter defenders in NBA history. He was also a very good offensive player at the point guard position.
The #391 rookie card of Payton implements a different design from the other base cards of the set due to the fact he was a 1990 NBA Draft Lottery selection.
The top left of the front lists 1990 Lottery Pick in red font within a yellow frame. While the gray border contains repeated black text reading “1990 NBA Draft”.
Payton’s name is centered at the bottom of the card. With the NBA Hoops brand name contained at the top right of the front. The photo of Payton is pretty unique. Showing him on the phone in a suit with his Seattle SuperSonics draft day hat on.
The rear of the card lists Payton’s collegiate accomplishments and player strengths and abilities.
8. Shawn Kemp Rookie Card #279
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $62.50
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $11
Shawn Kemp was a dynamic power forward with nearly limitless athleticism during his career for the Seattle SuperSonics. Starring alongside Gary Payton, Kemp would help make the Sonics one of the best teams in the NBA’s Western Conference during the 1990s.
Kemp’s #279 rookie card contains the same basic design as the rest of the NBA Hoops set. Except that the word “Rookie” is listed in black font in a yellow box on the top right of the front, with a star outline design located under the yellow box.
The photo of Kemp pictures him palming the basketball. About to make one of his patented offensive moves to get to the basket for a thunderous finish.
The back of the card lists his player achievements to date. As well as his stats from the 1989-1990 NBA season.
7. Tim Hardaway Rookie Card #113
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $65
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $10.50
Blessed with a killer crossover dribble from heaven. Tim Hardaway was a very good NBA point guard. Playing most of his career with the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat.
He teamed up with Chris Mullin and Latrell Sprewell to briefly resurrect the previously dormant Golden State Warriors franchise. This was before being traded to the Miami Heat, where he would star alongside Alonzo Mourning for several seasons.
Hardaway’s #113 rookie card contains the same design as the #279 Shawn Kemp rookie card and features a picture of him in the air attempting a layup.
The rear of the card lists his career accomplishments up to that point and collegiate stats. As well as professional stats from the 1989-1990 NBA season.
6. Drazen Petrovic Rookie Card #248
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $105
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $21.50
Drazen Petrovic was originally an international basketball star. Playing for several different European teams before joining the NBA at the start of the 1989-1990 NBA season.
A gifted offensive player and great shooter. Petrovic began to have great success at the shooting guard position when he was traded to the New Jersey Nets during the 1990-1991 season.
Unfortunately, Petrovic’s career was tragically cut short when he was killed in a car accident in the summer of 1993 after the 1992-1993 NBA season.
The #248 rookie card featuring Petrovic contains the same design as the Shawn Kemp and Tim Hardaway rookie cards. The front of the card pictures Petrovic dribbling the basketball with his back to the basket.
The rear lists his stats from the 1989-1990 NBA season and career achievements. Noting that he was just one of 3 Yugoslavians to play in the NBA during the 1989-1990 season.
5. Michael Jordan All-Star Card #5
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $115
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $18.50
The GOAT in NBA history, Michael Jordan become a cultural icon and revolutionized the NBA over his legendary career.
The perfect prototype shooting guard. Jordan was an equally dominant offensive and defensive player, winning 6 NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s.
The #5 All-Star card commemorates Jordan’s selection to the 1990 NBA All-Star Game. It contains a far different design from the base cards in the set.
On the front, the border and background possess a light brown color. While the phrase “All-Star East” is listed in a star shape in the top right corner. In addition, 6 white stars contained on a blue stripe are listed at the bottom. While a detailed 1990 NBA All-Star graphic is printed on the bottom right. The card’s photo shows Jordan shooting a jump shot during the all-star game.
The rear of the card lists Jordan’s stats from his previous all-star game appearances. It also details some of his career accomplishments during all-star weekend.
4. Michael Jordan Team Checklist Card #358
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $135
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $20
Cards #355 to #381 in the 1990 NBA Hoops set served as the checklists for each NBA franchise and featured the respective team’s best player on the front of the card.
As would be expected, the Bulls checklist card featuring Jordan is by far the most valuable of all the checklists.
Instead of presenting an in-game action photo of Jordan, the card showcases a beautifully designed artwork piece of him about to complete a reverse dunk.
3. Sam Vincent Card #223
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $175
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $25
Yes, you read that correctly. The #223 card of journeyman NBA player Sam Vincent is one of the most valuable in the entire set.
However, the value of this card has nothing to do with Vincent. But with the fact that Michael Jordan is pictured in the photo, wearing a #12 jersey.
One of the forgotten stories in NBA lore is the time when Michael Jordan’s #23 jersey was stolen from the locker room during a 1990 regular season game. Jordan was forced to wear a #12 jersey for the first and only time in his career.
The rest of the #223 card has the same design and specifications as the other base cards of the 1990 NBA Hoops set. But all that matters with this card from a value perspective is the photo of Jordan.
2. Michael Jordan Card #65
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $315
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $22.50
The #65 base card featuring Michael Jordan was initially the most valuable card of this set. Containing all the design features and characteristics of the other base cards. However the real draw of this card, other than it being Michael Jordan, is the amazing action photo contained on the front.
The picture showcases Jordan going up for a one-handed dunk in a game with his mouth open in the patented Jordan look. A timeless facial expression that has blanketed many posters and photos throughout the years.
1. Mark Jackson Card #205
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $450
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $30
Mark Jackson had a pretty successful career as a point guard for several different teams over his career. Most notably the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers.
The design of the #205 card featuring him is the same as all the other base cards of the 1990 Topps set. However, the factor that makes the #205 card the most valuable of the entire set is the infamous individuals pictured in the background of Jackson’s photo.
Incredibly, Lyle and Erik Menendez are pictured on the far left of the card’s photo sitting courtside at Madison Square Garden.
The Menendez brothers gained notoriety for murdering their parents in one of the most famous American crime stories of the 20th century.
Bonus Memorabilia Items
Many great NBA memorabilia items from 1990 are also available on sportsmemorabilia.com.
A basketball autographed by several members of the 1990-1991 Los Angeles Lakers, including Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, Vlade Divac, and Sam Perkins, retails for $1,779.99.
Several autographed basketballs by Dave Bing, commemorating his induction into the hall of fame in 1990, range in price from $159.99 to $179.99.
An autographed authentic Mitchell and Ness Shaquille O’Neal LSU jersey, a much rarer find than his professional memorabilia, can be purchased for $599.99. An autographed and framed replica Mitchell and Ness Clyde Drexler jersey is also available for $629.99.
Probably the best single item that a high-end collector could purchase is an autographed Mitchell and Ness Michael Jordan jersey.
The Michael Jordan jersey itself is a #12 jersey that commemorates the 1990 regular season game where Jordan’s jersey was stolen from the locker room. Forcing him to wear another jersey number as we mentioned above on the Sam Vincent Card #223.
When I was just starting out with my card collection, I had lots of questions about authenticity, trading, and card conditions. But with not that much information available online, I felt quite alone in my queries. Some questions still haven’t been answered to this day.
This site aims to rectify this, and now, I am passing on my knowledge!
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