2024-25 Panini Donruss NBA Trading Card Set Review and Checklist

William Mathis

March 1, 2025

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	$144.99

$144.99

Overview

The 2024-25 Panini Donruss NBA Trading Card Set builds upon the legacy of Donruss as one of the most recognizable and collector-friendly NBA card products. This new release continues to excite card enthusiasts with its bold designs, extensive parallel varieties, and the iconic Rated Rookies subset. It caters to a wide range of collectors, from casual fans to seasoned investors, with configurations that offer a mix of high-end chase elements and accessible options.

Release Date: January 20, 2025
Set Size:
- 200 cards featuring NBA veterans
- 50 Rated Rookies, highlighting the top rookies from the 2024 NBA Draft

(Total Set Size: 250 cards)

Configurations:
- Hobby Box:
- - 10 packs per box, 30 cards per pack
  - 1 autograph and 60 inserts/parallels in each box
- Choice Box:
- - 1 pack per box, 10 cards per pack
  - 2 autographs per box with exclusive parallels

Key Highlights

Parallel Variety:

A vast array of Hobby-exclusive, Choice-exclusive, and shared parallels offer collectors numerous chase opportunities, ranging from entry-level to ultra-rare cards.

New Features:
- Optic Rated Rookie Previews, introduced as a new Hobby-exclusive chase element.
- The unique "Choice Dragon" parallel exclusive to Choice packs.
Autographs:

Spotlighting future stars and established players through highly desirable sets, including Rated Rookies Signatures and Dominators Autographs.

Tasting Notes for Collectors:
- Refreshed designs celebrating the 2024-25 season.
- Enhanced chase appeal with ultra-rare parallels like Holo Black Laser (1/1) and Choice Black (1/1).

Why Collectors Are Excited

With top rookies like Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, and Reed Sheppard featured, the Rated Rookies subset adds immediate value. The expansive base set and parallel structure cater to collectors building rainbows or hunting for exclusive, high-end cards.

Base Set Breakdown

With a total of 250 cards, the 2024-25 Donruss set divides into two categories:

Veterans (200 cards): Offering a comprehensive look at current NBA stars.
Rated Rookies (50 cards): Highlighting the most promising talent from the 2024 draft class.

This structure provides a strong foundation for set collectors while making Rated Rookies one of the most sought-after subsets for NBA rookie enthusiasts.

Parallels Breakdown

One of the most exciting aspects of this set is its vast and diverse range of parallels, categorized as Hobby-exclusive, Choice-exclusive, and shared parallels:

Hobby-Exclusive Parallels

Hobby boxes provide an assortment of parallels, including:

Press Proof Silver Die-Cut (/75)
Holo Blue Laser (/49)
Press Proof Gold Die-Cut (/25)
Holo Gold Laser (/10)
Holo Black Laser (1/1)
Optic Rated Rookie Previews (unspecified print run, non-serialized)

These parallels appeal to collectors seeking rare and serial-numbered cards, with the Holo Black Laser standing out as a true one-of-one high-stakes chase.

Choice-Exclusive Parallels

Choice boxes deliver exclusive parallels, enhancing their appeal for those seeking distinct designs:

Choice (non-serialized)
Choice Dragon (non-serialized, unique design)
Choice Red (/99)
Choice Blue (/49)
Choice Gold (/10)
Choice Black (1/1)

The "Choice Dragon," in particular, offers a visually striking, offbeat addition that is gaining traction among both casual and seasoned collectors.

Shared Parallels (Hobby and Choice)

Certain parallels appear across both configurations:

Holo Green Laser (non-serialized)
Holo Orange Laser (non-serialized)
Holo Pink Laser (non-serialized, less common)
Holo Purple Laser (/99)

These shared parallels provide additional options for building rainbows across either Hobby or Choice formats.

Estimated Total Parallels per Base Card:

Approximately 15-20 parallels per card, with 13 confirmed serialized versions and several non-serialized options.

Inserts and Chase Cards

Boasting a robust selection of inserts, each Hobby box contains 60 inserts or parallels, amounting to 6 per pack—a significant draw for collectors hunting diverse hits.

Autographs Breakdown

Autographs are key to the allure of Donruss’ higher-tier boxes, with Rated Rookies Signatures and Dominators Autographs leading the lineup.

Hobby Box:
- 1 autograph per box
- Notable sets include:
- - Rated Rookies Signatures (rookies)
  - Dominators Autographs (veterans)
  - Next Day Autographs (on-card rookie signatures prepared in advance of release)

Choice Box:
- 2 autographs per box
- Exclusive parallels enhance autograph appeal, with tiers like Gold (/10) and Black (1/1).

Collectors revere the Rated Rookies Signatures set, especially for featuring rookies poised to impact the league.

Comparison of Configurations

To help collectors decide between Box formats:

Feature	Hobby Box	Choice Box
Autographs	1 per box	2 per box
Inserts/Parallels	60 per box (6/pack)	Fewer (Choice focus)
Exclusive Parallels	Press Proof Die-Cuts, Optic Previews	Choice, Choice Dragon
Audience	Balanced collectors	Signature chasers

Key Takeaways

Accessibility and Chase Appeal:

- - Hobby boxes cater to set builders and insert collectors with an average of 60 inserts and parallels, while Choice boxes emphasize autographs and exclusive parallels.

Variety for All Collectors:

- - The large parallel lineup and inclusion of hobby-exclusive inserts provide something for every type of collector, from casual hobbyists to high-end chasers.

Rookie Year Demand:

- - This product stands out with its Rated Rookies subset, featuring a strong rookie class.

Exclusive Features Add Premium Value:

- - New elements like Choice Dragon and Optic Rated Rookie Previews elevate this year’s product.

Final Thoughts

The 2024-25 Panini Donruss NBA Trading Card Set continues to deliver compelling offerings for basketball collectors. Whether you’re a base-set completer, a parallel chaser, or an autograph investor, this release balances accessibility with chase-worthy features.

Are you ready to secure your piece of this year’s Donruss set? Whether you're ripping packs or trading online, the thrill of the chase is waiting!

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