2024-25 Topps G-League Basketball Trading Card Set Review and Checklist

William Mathis

June 20, 2025

	$121.95

$121.95

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The 2024/25 Topps G-League Basketball set is designed to appeal to collectors seeking affordable yet exciting products featuring potential NBA stars. Each Hobby box, priced at approximately $39.99, contains 4 packs with 8 cards per pack, totaling 32 cards per box. On average, each box guarantees:

1 Autograph
3 Chrome Base or Chrome Parallels
4 Insert Cards
4 Base Parallels
20 Base Cards

The set emphasizes a 100-card base checklist, Chrome variations, autographs, and a variety of insert sets, with a focus on Short Print (SSP) inserts and parallel cards to enhance collectability. The design features a distinctive graffiti-style frame, differentiating it from the 2023/24 set while maintaining a similar collecting approach.

Base Set

Size: 100 cards
Content: Features players from all G-League teams, including top prospects and notable names aiming for NBA promotion.
Chrome Variations: 75 of the 100 base cards have Chrome versions, adding a premium, shiny finish to the set.

Base Parallels

Each base card (including Chrome versions) comes with a range of parallels, offering collectors various rarity levels. The parallels for both Base and Base Chrome cards are as follows:

Base Parallels:
- Blue (unnumbered)
- Bronze: #’d to 199
- Orange: #’d to 149
- Green: #’d to 99
- Gold: #’d to 50
- Pink: #’d to 25
- Black: #’d to 10
- Platinum: #’d to 1 (1/1)
Base Chrome Parallels:
- Refractor (unnumbered)
- Green Refractor: #’d to 99
- Gold Refractor: #’d to 50
- Pink Refractor: #’d to 25
- Black Refractor: #’d to 10
- Superfractor: #’d to 1 (1/1)

Total Base Parallels:

8 Base Parallels per card × 100 cards = 800 possible Base Parallel cards
6 Base Chrome Parallels per card × 75 cards = 450 possible Base Chrome Parallel cards
Total: 1,250 unique parallel cards for the base set.

Autographs

Autograph Series: The set includes one autograph per Hobby box, featuring top prospects and prominent G-League players.
Autograph Parallels:
- Refractor (unnumbered)
- Green: #’d to 99
- Gold: #’d to 50
- Pink: #’d to 25
- Black: #’d to 10
- Superfractor: #’d to 1 (1/1)
Example Autographs:
- AU-LB Leaky Black
Total Autograph Variations: The exact number of autograph cards is not specified, but each autograph has 6 parallel versions, significantly increasing the chase for collectors.

Insert Sets

The 2024/25 set includes four insert sets, three of which (Ankle Breaker, Marksman, Take it to the Rack) are carryovers from the 2023/24 set with refreshed designs, and one new set, Team Logo. Each insert set features Short Print (SSP) cards and parallels, enhancing their rarity and appeal.

Insert Sets and Parallels

Ankle Breaker:
- Features players known for their agility and crossover skills.
- Example Cards:
  - AB-1 Jameer Nelson Jr.
  - AB-2 Elfrid Payton
  - AB-3 RJ Nembhard
- Parallels:
  - Blue (unnumbered)
  - Green: #’d to 99
  - Gold: #’d to 50
  - Pink: #’d to 25
  - Black: #’d to 10
  - Platinum: #’d to 1 (1/1)
- Estimated Set Size: Likely 20–30 cards based on similar 2023/24 insert sets (e.g., Take it to the Rack had 30 cards).
Marksman:
- Highlights sharpshooters and long-range shooters.
- Example Cards:
  - MM-5 Malachi Flynn
  - MM-9 Kira Lewis Jr.
  - MM-24 Elfrid Payton
- Parallels: Same as Ankle Breaker (Blue, Green /99, Gold /50, Pink /25, Black /10, Platinum 1/1)
- Estimated Set Size: 20–30 cards.
Take it to the Rack:
- Showcases players known for their dunking and rim-attacking skills.
- Example Cards: Not specified for 2024/25, but the 2023/24 set included players like Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis.
- Parallels: Same as above.
- Estimated Set Size: 30 cards (based on 2023/24 set size).
Team Logo (New):
- Features top players from each G-League team with team logo designs.
- Example Cards:
  - TL-1 Jameer Nelson Jr.
  - TL-2 Jalen Crutcher
- Parallels: Same as above.
- Estimated Set Size: Likely 20–30 cards, covering key players from each team.

Total Insert Cards:

Assuming each insert set has approximately 25 cards (a conservative estimate based on 2023/24 data):
- 4 sets × 25 cards = 100 unique insert cards
- Each insert card has 6 parallels, so 100 × 6 = 600 unique insert parallel cards
Total Insert Variations: Approximately 700 unique insert cards (base inserts + parallels).

Variations

Image Variations: Unlike some Topps sets (e.g., 2025 Topps Series 1 Baseball), there is no explicit mention of image variations for the 2024/25 G-League set. The focus is on Chrome variations and parallels rather than alternate images.
Chrome Variations: The 75 Base Chrome cards are considered variations of the base set, offering a premium look but not necessarily different images.

Statistics and Ratios per Pack

The Hobby box configuration (4 packs, 8 cards per pack) provides the following expected yields:

Autographs: 1 per box (1:4 packs)
Chrome Base or Chrome Parallels: 3 per box (0.75 per pack)
Inserts: 4 per box (1 per pack)
Base Parallels: 4 per box (1 per pack)
Base Cards: 20 per box (5 per pack)

Odds of Specific Cards

Exact odds for individual parallels and inserts are not fully disclosed, but we can estimate based on the 2023/24 set and general Topps odds structures:

Base Parallels:
- Blue (unnumbered): ~1:2 packs (common)
- Bronze (/199): ~1:20 packs
- Orange (/149): ~1:30 packs
- Green (/99): ~1:50 packs
- Gold (/50): ~1:100 packs
- Pink (/25): ~1:200 packs
- Black (/10): ~1:500 packs
- Platinum (1/1): ~1:2,000 packs
Base Chrome Parallels:
- Refractor (unnumbered): ~1:4 packs
- Green Refractor (/99): ~1:60 packs
- Gold Refractor (/50): ~1:120 packs
- Pink Refractor (/25): ~1:240 packs
- Black Refractor (/10): ~1:600 packs
- Superfractor (1/1): ~1:2,400 packs
Inserts:
- Base Inserts (Blue, unnumbered): 1 per pack
- Numbered Insert Parallels (Green, Gold, Pink, Black, Platinum): Similar rarity to base parallels, with Platinum 1/1s being extremely rare (~1:2,000 packs).
Autographs:
- Base Autograph: 1:4 packs
- Numbered Autograph Parallels: Rarer, with Superfractors (1/1) potentially 1:10,000 packs or more.

Box Breakdown

Total Cards per Box: 32
Expected Distribution:
- 20 Base Cards (~62.5%)
- 4 Base Parallels (~12.5%)
- 3 Chrome Base/Parallels (~9.4%)
- 4 Inserts (~12.5%)
- 1 Autograph (~3.1%)

Analysis

Strengths

Affordability: At $39.99 per Hobby box, the set is accessible for both casual and serious collectors.
Focus on Prospects: The set highlights emerging talent, making it appealing for collectors interested in future NBA stars like Malachi Flynn, Jameer Nelson Jr., and Elfrid Payton.
Parallels and Inserts: The extensive parallel rainbow (14 total types across Base and Chrome) and four insert sets provide significant chase elements, increasing excitement and value for collectors.
Guaranteed Hits: One autograph per box ensures value, with the potential for rare parallels like Platinum 1/1s or Superfractors.

Weaknesses

Limited Checklist Availability: As of now, the full checklist is not publicly available, which may frustrate collectors seeking specific players or teams.
Repetitive Inserts: Three of the four insert sets (Ankle Breaker, Marksman, Take it to the Rack) are carryovers from 2023/24, which may feel redundant despite refreshed designs.
No NBA Licensing: Like other Topps basketball products, the set lacks NBA logos due to Panini’s exclusive license, which may reduce appeal for some collectors.

Collector Appeal

The set caters to:

Prospect Hunters: Collectors chasing rookies and future stars benefit from the focus on G-League talent.
Parallel Collectors: The extensive parallel lineup offers a deep chase for completists.
Autograph Seekers: Guaranteed autographs, especially of top prospects, add value.
Team Collectors: The 100-card base set and Team Logo inserts cover all G-League teams, appealing to fans of specific franchises.

Comparison to 2023/24 Set

The 2024/25 set maintains the same core structure as its predecessor:

Base Set Size: Identical at 100 cards.
Chrome Variations: Increased slightly from 70 to 75 cards.
Inserts: Three returning sets with one new addition (Team Logo vs. Draft Dound in 2023/24).
Parallels and Autographs: Nearly identical parallel and autograph structures, with the same rarity tiers.
Design: The graffiti-style frame is a notable change, offering a fresh visual appeal.

Conclusion

The 2024/25 Topps G-League Basketball trading card set is a compelling option for collectors interested in the NBA’s next generation of talent. With a 100-card base set, 75 Chrome variations, four insert sets, and extensive parallels, the set offers a robust collecting experience. The guaranteed autograph per box, combined with affordable pricing, makes it accessible, while the rare Platinum and Superfractor parallels provide high-end chase cards. Despite some limitations, such as incomplete checklist details and lack of NBA licensing, the set’s focus on prospects and variety of inserts ensures broad appeal. Collectors can expect an average of 1 autograph, 3 Chrome cards, 4 inserts, and 4 parallels per box, making each pack a thrilling rip.

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