The sports card market has roared back with a vengeance as collectors of all ages are renewing and reliving their childhood card trading memories.
Some of the most sought-after cards feature young stars from the NBA, as the league continues to establish itself as an international sports empire.
LaMelo Ball, the 3rd pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has developed into one of the best young point guards in the NBA. And arguably the best player from his draft class.
Below are the 7 most expensive Lamelo Ball cards and some bonus memorabilia items.
7. 2020-2021 Panini Crown Royale Kaboom Rookie Card, Card #23
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $10,000
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $4,000
The first card on this list, the 2020-2021 Panini Crown Royale Kaboom rookie card, incorporates a cartoon/comic book design.
Instead of a live-action game picture, Ball is graphically designed to resemble a computer-generated cartoon character. A trend that is gaining widespread popularity throughout the card market.
Both the front and the back of the card display the word Kaboom in large, cartoonish lettering. While the front of the card incorporates a silver, metallic background.
The card itself contains very little information about Lamelo Ball. Simply listing his name and the team he plays for, the Charlotte Hornets, along with the team logo.
6. 2020-2021 Panini Prizm Purple Pulsar, Card #278
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $12,000
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $5,000
The 2020-2021 Panini Prizm Purple Pulsar #278 card is the first of four Panini Prizm cards on this list.
Incredibly, the Panini Prizm card series is in such high demand, that many of its specialty color cards are more valuable than rookie patch autograph cards. Which are normally the holy grail of the card collecting market.
As with all cards in this series, Lamelo Ball is pictured in the center of the card. Surrounded by a shiny, colorful background, with a purple emphasis in this case.
The color scheme of the back of the card bears no resemblance to that of the front. Looking like a normal sports card and containing a brief scouting summary of Ball’s skillset.
5. 2020-2021 Panini Prizm Blue Shimmer Rookie Card, Card #278
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $12,000+
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $4,000
The Panini Prizm Blue Shimmer rookie card is another highly valuable product in the Panini Prizm series. Containing a beautiful blue and green color scheme that makes it a piece of art.
It is the same card as the other Lamelo Ball cards in this series sans the different color design on the front. Containing the same picture of Ball and the same information and design on the back of the card.
One interesting note about the information on the back of these Panini Prizm cards is that they contain Ball’s stats from the Australian-based National Basketball League (NBL). Where he played for the Illawarra Hawks for 12 games.
4. 2020-2021 Panini Prizm Orange Rookie Card #278
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $15,000
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $4,000
Although not normally one of the most valuable colors associated with the Panini Prizm series. The orange rookie card version has captured the attention of many collectors looking to add another beautiful piece of art to their collection.
The orange hue is a creative addition to the card, resembling the color of a basketball.
3 different PSA 10 cards have been sold in this version. With the most expensive sale bringing in a staggering $23,100.
3. 2020-2021 Panini Flawless RPA (Rookie Patch Autograph), Card #HPA-LAM
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $30,000
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $10,000
The Panini Flawless RPA #HPA-LAM rookie card is one of the most expensive Lamelo Ball cards ever sold.
Although there are a few different versions of this card, most have the same general design. Featuring the jersey patch on one side of the card, a picture of Ball on the other side, and the signature located on the bottom of the card, usually directly below the jersey patch.
All versions of the card contain the same player bio information on the back. Instead of listing stats or a brief scouting summary. The back of the card discusses Ball’s love of Hip-Hop music, specifically Lil Wayne and DMX.
2. 2020-2021 Panini National Treasures RPA (Rookie Patch Autograph), Card #130
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $60,000
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $25,000
Widely considered to be the best Lamelo Ball card available in the market. The 2020-2021 Panini National Treasures RPA card is designed to be the focal point of any sports card collection.
Primarily only an option for high-end collectors. This extremely expensive card showcases a very large jersey patch insert on the front of the card.
Depending on the version of the card. The jersey may be positioned in the center of the card in a vertical layout, or on the right of the card in a horizontal layout.
A picture of Ball is positioned to the left of the jersey insert. While the signature is usually positioned on the bottom of the card, either centered under the jersey or to the left under the picture of Ball.
1. 2020-2021 Panini Prizm Black Gold Rookie Card, Card #278
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $275,000 +
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $100,000
The 2020-2021 Panini Prizm Black Gold rookie card is the rarest card on this list.
With only 5 cards ever printed in this specific series. Only 3 of the 5 cards on record have been professionally graded.
So far, the highest grade contained on any of the cards in this series is a PSA 9 or BGS 9.
The only card currently available for sale on the internet is a BGS 9-rated card. Which has a selling price of $119,999.99. A PSA 9 rated card went on auction for $145,200 on Goldin Auctions, but never sold, according to sportscardspro.com.
If either of the other 2 non-graded versions of this card is ever professionally graded and ends up being a PSA 10, the retail price would be astronomical.
Bonus Memorabilia Items
Although a lot of the top sports memorabilia surrounding Lamelo Ball is sports card related. He does have some other great non-card memorabilia available for purchase on sportsmemorabilia.com.
There are simply no better options for basketball memorabilia than a signed basketball. And collectors can get a gorgeous Spalding basketball signed by Ball for $1,817.99.
Another great, although extremely expensive item is a game-used all-star game nameplate and game-issued jersey for $6,363.99.
Finally, a more affordable memorabilia option for collectors would be framed player panel collage picture. That would look great in any office, for $49.99.
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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What would a Lamello ball
2020 Panini Select (20-21)
Rookie Jersey Autographs Black Disco Prizms 1/1
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