Below are the 10 best David Robinson basketball cards we think you should consider. We have also included some extra memorabilia items that would be great options for collectors of all types.
David Robinson was one of the greatest centers in NBA history. Playing his entire 14-year career with the San Antonio Spurs.
Nicknamed “The Admiral” due to his military service in the US Navy.
Robinson was named an NBA All-Star 10 times, an All-NBA 1st Team finalist 4 times, an All-Defensive 1st Team finalist 4 times. And was also named the 1991-1992 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and the 1994-1995 NBA MVP.
As the sports card market continues to explode in popularity, vintage basketball cards are beginning to rapidly increase in value. Even outpacing vintage baseball cards.
I think that David Robinson basketball cards aren’t overly expensive and offer great potential for long term returns. Especially in PSA 10 condition.
10. 1989-1990 Hoops Rookie Card #310
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $52.50
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $11.50
The #310 Hoops David Robinson rookie card is one of 2 rookie cards featuring his likeness in the 1989-1990 Hoops set.
Both Robinson rookie cards in this set were in high demand at the time. Mostly because it marked one of the first instances where a basketball player was featured on a card of a major brand before playing their rookie season.
This card employs a white border around the outside of the card’s front. With Robinson’s name centered at the top. “NBA Hoops” and the Spurs team name listed at the bottom left, and Robinson’s position listed at the bottom right.
A red border, directly inside of the white border, outlies the photo of Robinson shooting a free throw. While the photo itself is presented in a rounded entryway shape, instead of the typical rectangular design on most sports cards of the day.
The rear of the card contains a somewhat brief player biography.
9. 1988-1989 Diamond Shamrock “Rookie Card”
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $300
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $75
Although not a traditional sports card. The 1988-1989 Diamond Shamrock featuring Robinson is technically the first sports card to ever feature his likeness. It is sometimes referred to in gradings as with tab W/TAB, or No TAB.
The card was issued as a part of a promotional contest, where individuals would enter their name, address, and other relevant information on the bottom of the card to win one of 4 different prizes.
The card itself is elongated, with the bottom portion of the card containing a removable section where the person’s information would be filled out.
This lower section is often missing. To find a complete card in good condition therefore has great potential for long term growth.
The front of the card employs a nice frontal design. Featuring a black background with white horizontal stripes. A picture of Robinson holding a basketball in his Spurs jersey, his name and number at the bottom, and the Spurs logo at the card’s top.
The rear of the card mostly contains contest information, along with a little player information.
8. 1992-1993 Topps Stadium Club Beam Team Card #20
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $315
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $85
The Stadium Club series by Topps was a higher-quality card set produced in response to Upper Deck’s groundbreaking upscale design that had been a huge hit with collectors.
The 1992-1993 Stadium Club Beam Team #20 card showcases a great action photo of Robinson in the middle of a pump fake. With a hapless John Starks jumping in the air, attempting to stop him.
The right and left sides of the card’s front display a shiny, metallic design, with “Beam Team” written in green font on the top left and the Topps Stadium Club logo and Robinson’s name centered at the bottom.
The rear of the card lists many of Robinson’s impressive career accomplishments to date.
7. 1989-1990 Hoops Rookie Card #138
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $375
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $27.50
The 1989-1990 Hoops #138 rookie card featuring Robinson is the other, more valuable rookie card from this set.
Instead of displaying an in-game action shot of Robinson. The card shows Robinson in a suit, smiling and holding up his Spurs jersey. Presumably at his introductory press conference with the Spurs.
It contains the same basic design as the #310 version. Except that “NBA Hoops” is listed on the bottom left of the card’s front, instead of the bottom right.
6. 1990-1991 Fleer Rookie Sensation Card #1
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $380
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $22.50
Showcasing a very colorful design for its era. The #1 1990-1991 Fleer Rookie Sensation card presents a picture of Robinson about to pass the ball from the post.
The front of the card has a distinct blue border. Contains the words “Fleer ’90” on the top left, lists “Rookie Sensation” in yellow font on top of a basketball logo on the bottom left. And lists Robinson’s name and position in white font on a red background at the card’s bottom.
The rear of the card lists one of the lengthiest player summaries that you will ever see on a sports card. Talking in great detail about Robinson’s accomplishments during his first year in the league.
5. 1993-1994 Fleer Ultra Scoring Kings Card #9
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $850
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $275
The 1993-1994 Fleer Ultra Scoring Kings #9 card has by far, the coolest design of any card on this list,. Picturing Robinson shooting a basketball amid a purple-hued background full of massive lightning bolts.
The top left of the card’s front contains the Fleer Ultra logo. With Robinson’s name at the bottom, and a Scoring Kings graphic in the bottom right.
The back of the card notes Robinson’s tremendous offensive accomplishments during the 1992-1993 season. Noting his 23.4 PPG average and career-high 52-point performance against the Charlotte Hornets.
4. 1997-1998 Upper Deck Game Jersey Card #GJ12
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $4,000
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $1,750
Although the price for the #GJ12 1997-1998 Upper Deck Game Jersey card may seem pretty high, even for a relic card. It is important to note that jersey cards were at this point, a recent addition to the market, having been introduced in 1996.
They were produced in far fewer numbers than they are now two-and-a-half decades later. Also, finding early jersey cards from this era in a PSA 9 or 10 condition is nearly impossible, and would be a great find for any collector.
This early jersey card possesses a unique design. With a horizontal layout and rounded corners. The jersey patch is displayed on the left of the card’s front. With a picture of Robinson on the right. The Spurs team logo is printed in the upper left of the card’s front, with Robinson’s name centered at the bottom.
The rear of the card contains another photo of Robinson and notes that he was the 1994-1995 NBA MVP. And named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
3. 1994-1995 SkyBox Premium Olajuwon/Robinson Autograph, No Number
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $5,000
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $1,850
The 1994-1995 SkyBox Premium Olajuwon/Robinson double autograph card is one of the rarest cards on this list.
It was originally a redemption card and produced in very limited numbers.
Collectors who are fortunate enough to gain possession of one of these cards should immediately get it graded, which will greatly enhance its potential value.
The front of the card is presented in a horizontal layout, with the left side containing Olajuwon’s and Robinson’s names listed in white font on a blue background, with their signatures written over their names.
The right side of the card’s front shows Robinson guarding Olajuwon in the post.
2. 1998-1999 David Robinson SkyBox Premium Autographics Blue Ink, No Number
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $5,000
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $2,000
Many collectors and memorabilia professionals consider the 1998-1999 SkyBox Premium Autographics card one of the most valuable, if not the most valuable, David Robinson cards on the market.
Two different versions, a black-ink and a limited-edition blue-ink version, were produced. With the more valuable version being the blue-ink version, which only produced 50 copies.
The card’s front pictures Robinson palming the ball, about to make a move in the post, with fans and an official in the background presented in a faded-out format meant to highlight Robinson.
The word “SkyBox” is listed diagonally across the middle of the card from left to right, with the signature near the bottom.
The back of the card lists his career stats through the 1997-1998 season and little else.
1. 2013-2014 Upper Deck Exquisite Enshrinement Duos Russell/Robinson Autograph, Card #EE2-RR
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $6,000
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $2,400
Before Panini began to dominate the luxury card market, Upper Deck’s Exquisite series was the industry leader in high-end relic cards.
The 2013-2014 Enshrinement Duos autograph card featuring both Bill Russell’s and David Robinson’s signatures is simply an all-time great card that does not get the recognition in the marketplace it deserves.
With Russell’s recent passing, this card will probably continue to increase in value for the foreseeable future.
The front of the card is designed in a horizontal layout, with the center portion containing pictures of both Russell and Robinson in their collegiate jerseys, inside a golden border.
The signatures of both players are listed separately on the right and left sides of the card.
The back of the card doesn’t contain any player information, simply noting that the card is an authenticated signature card. If anyone has a photo of this, I would be very grateful and will upload it to the post.
David Robinson Sports Memorabilia Items
David Robinson has many great memorabilia items featuring his likeness available on sportsmemorabilia.com.
Several different autographed basketballs featuring Robinson’s signature range in price from $239.99 to $523.99. A Spalding basketball with both Robinson’s and Duncan’s signatures, another great high-end collectible, can be purchased for $3,556.79.
For collectors looking for a more affordable photograph option. There is an autographed 8-inch by 10-inch picture of Robinson dunking the basketball against the Los Angeles Lakers is available for $103.99.
One final autographed photo, with by far the best action shot of Robinson, is a 16-inch by 20-inch picture of him shooting the basketball over Hakeem Olajuwon, selling for $183.99.
Another top memorabilia item, probably more suited for high-end collectors, is a Sports Illustrated issue commemorating Robinson and Duncan as Sportsmen of the year. This was autographed by both players, with a price tag of $3,491.19.
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!
- Bo Jackson Rookie Cards for savvy collectors - March 19, 2023
- Bo Bichette Baseball Rookie Cards - March 11, 2023
- Great Value baseball cards from the 60’s under $500 - March 4, 2023
