2025-26 Topps NBL Basketball Set Review and Checklist

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2025-26 Topps NBL Basketball Set Review and Breakdown: The Flagship Returns Down Under

The 2025-26 Topps NBL Basketball set marks the return of Topps’ flagship (non-Chrome) product for Australia’s National Basketball League after a one-year hiatus. While Chrome versions carried the torch in 2024-25, this release revives the traditional paper flagship last seen in 2023-24. It delivers a focused 100-card base set across the league’s 10 teams, paired with themed inserts, a strong hit rate, and the signature Australian flavor that makes NBL products distinctive.

With pre-sales opening June 2, 2026, and on-sale expected around late June, this set targets NBL die-hards, prospect collectors chasing future NBA talent, and international basketball card fans. It features superstars like Bryce Cotton (Adelaide 36ers/Perth Wildcats), NBA veterans such as Matthew Dellavedova (Sydney Kings) and JaVale McGee (Illawarra Hawks), plus rising prospects and rookies including Dash Daniels (Melbourne United), Alex Ducas (Brisbane Bullets), Mawot Mag (Cairns Taipans), and others with NBA upside.

Product Configuration and Release

Format: Hobby boxes only (no confirmed retail blasters or value boxes at launch).
Configuration: 4 cards per pack, 20 packs per box (80 cards total per box).
Hits (per Hobby box, on average): 1 Autograph + 1 Memorabilia/Relic card.
Release: Pre-order June 2, 2026 (Topps.com); expected on-sale late June 2026.
Case: Details TBA, but typical for small-run international products.

This configuration is more “hit-heavy” than the 2023-24 flagship (which used 6 cards/pack and had autos as a true chase at roughly 1:334 packs, not guaranteed every box). The guaranteed dual hits make 2025-26 more collector-friendly right out of the gate.

Previous years on Cardboard Connection:

2022-23 Topps NBL National Basketball League cards — the debut flagship with a strong parallel rainbow and solid insert mix.
Chrome editions provide additional context: 2022-23 Topps Chrome NBL Basketball.

Base Set (100 Cards)

The base set covers all 10 NBL teams with a balanced mix of veterans, stars, rookies (RC), and role players. Design is expected to lean into the energetic, colorful “Down Under” aesthetic Topps has used previously, possibly with subtle nods to Australian culture or arena energy.

Notable players (examples from early checklists):

Adelaide 36ers: Bryce Cotton, Flynn Cameron, Isaac Humphries, Zylan Cheatham
Brisbane Bullets: Alex Ducas (RC), Terry Taylor, Javon Freeman-Liberty
Cairns Taipans: Admiral Schofield, Mawot Mag (RC), Andrew Andrews
Illawarra Hawks: JaVale McGee, Jesse Edwards
Melbourne United: Matthew Dellavedova, Dash Daniels (RC), Jesse Wagstaff
New Zealand Breakers: Izaiah Brockington, Karim Lopez (RC?)
Perth Wildcats: Noa Kouakou-Heugue (RC), Kristian Doolittle
South East Melbourne Phoenix: John Brown III, Malique Lewis (RC)
Sydney Kings: Kendric Davis, Xavier Cooks, Matthew Dellavedova (noted across teams historically)
Tasmania JackJumpers: Will Magnay, Tyger Campbell, Josh Bannan

Parallels (details TBA as of early June 2026; expected structure based on 2023-24 predecessor and Chrome continuity): Topps typically delivers a deep parallel rainbow on base and most inserts for NBL flagships. Historical patterns (2022-23 and 2023-24) suggest:

Common/un-numbered: Opal (or similar “base parallel,” often 1:2 packs or pack-loaded) and Blue (around 1:6–11 packs).
Numbered parallels (Australian-themed names common, e.g., Golden Wattle referencing the native plant):
- Golden Wattle or equivalent: #/175 or #/199 range.
- Aqua: #/125.
- Green: #/99.
- Fuchsia or Blue variants: #/75.
- Gold: #/50.
- Orange: #/25.
- Red: #/5 (very tough).
- 1/1 parallels: Sun Ray, Superfractor-style, or new “First Card”/case-hit 1/1s.

These parallels appear across base and inserts. In a typical 20-pack hobby box you can expect multiple colored/numbered parallels (often 4–8+ depending on exact odds), with the deepest cuts (/25, /5, 1/1) being true case or multi-case hits. Print runs for non-numbered parallels are not announced.

Numbered card distribution example (projected from 2023-24 patterns; actual 2025-26 odds pending):

/175-level: Roughly 1:30–40 packs.
/50: 1:100–120 packs.
/25: 1:200+ packs.
/5: 1:1,000+ packs.
1/1: Extremely rare (thousands of packs).

This creates strong chase depth without flooding the market.

Inserts

The insert lineup emphasizes NBL culture, pace of play, physicality, and local talent. Expect 6–10+ inserts per box on average, with several sets appearing multiple times.

Main inserts (card counts and examples):

Big Topps (30 cards) — Flagship-style hero cards. Examples: Isaac Humphries (Adelaide), Zylan Cheatham, Will Magnay (Tasmania), and stars across all teams.
Cyclones (25 cards) — High-energy, fast-break themed. Examples: Bryce Cotton, Tyger Campbell.
Oohs and Ahhs (25 cards) — Highlight-reel or spectacular play focus. Examples: Bryce Cotton, Will Magnay.
The Roar (20 cards) — Crowd/energy or Perth Wildcats-inspired “Roar” vibe. Examples: Isaac Humphries to Will Magnay.
Glass & Grit (16 cards) — Physical, defensive, tough-play theme. Examples: Flynn Cameron (Adelaide), Terry Taylor (Brisbane).
Locals Only (16 cards) — Homegrown Australian/New Zealand talent emphasis. Examples: Bryce Cotton, Josh Bannan.
Atlas (10 cards) — Likely a tougher “world-class” or foundational player set. Examples: Zylan Cheatham, JaVale McGee, Bryce Hamilton.
Next Stars (4 cards) — Ultra-short-print prospect showcase. Examples: Malique Lewis (South East Melbourne), Dash Daniels (Melbourne United), Noa Kouakou-Heugue (Perth), Karim Lopez.

SSPs / Case Hits: Atlas, Glass & Grit, Locals Only, and Next Stars are positioned as the tougher short prints or case-hit level inserts (four SSPs noted by Topps/Beckett). These will carry the highest per-pack odds and strongest secondary-market potential for rookies and key names.

All major inserts receive the full parallel treatment (including numbered versions down to 1/1).

Autographs and Memorabilia

NBL Autographs (~32 cards): Neon-inspired design. Covers current stars, vets, and rookies (e.g., Admiral Schofield, Xavier Cooks, and many others across teams).
All-Time Greats Autographs (~7 cards): Legends like Andrew Vlahov (Perth), Kevin Brooks, Martin Cattalini, Mark Worthington, Scott Fisher, Shawn Redhage, Warrick Giddey.
NBL Relics (~38 cards): Game-used memorabilia with matching neon-inspired design. Players include Alex Ducas, Zylan Cheatham, Bryce Cotton, and a broad cross-section of the league.

Guaranteed hits: 1 Autograph + 1 Relic per Hobby box (major upgrade in consistency vs. prior flagship). Parallels on hits (Refractor-style, numbered versions) are expected but details TBA. Relics likely include patch or premium versions on tougher parallels (/25, 1/1).

Distribution, Odds, and Box Breakdown Expectations

Exact pack odds for base parallels and inserts are TBA, but we can project from the 2023-24 flagship and Chrome continuity:

Per 20-pack Hobby box (80 cards total):
- ~1 Autograph (guaranteed).
- ~1 Relic/Memorabilia (guaranteed).
- Multiple inserts from the main sets (Big Topps, Cyclones, Oohs and Ahhs, The Roar, etc.) — expect 6–12+ insert cards total.
- Several base parallels (Opal/Blue-level common + 3–6+ numbered).
- SSPs (Atlas/Glass & Grit/Locals Only/Next Stars) as true case or multi-box chases.
- Remaining cards: Base set fillers.

Rough historical parallel math (adjusted for new 4-card packs): You’ll see a healthy mix of color in every box, with the real thrill in pulling a low-numbered parallel, SSP insert, or hit. The smaller pack size (vs. 6-card prior flagship) concentrates value into fewer cards per pack but maintains solid hit density thanks to guarantees.

Numbered card scarcity examples (projected):

A /50 parallel might appear a couple times per case.
/25 and lower become serious multi-box or case hits.
1/1s are genuine grails.

Analysis and Review

Strengths:

Guaranteed hits make this far more satisfying than the 2023-24 version for break-even or fun ripping.
Strong thematic inserts that feel authentic to Australian basketball (grit, locals, energy/roar, prospects).
Excellent prospect coverage (Dash Daniels, Alex Ducas, etc.) alongside proven stars like Bryce Cotton and NBA vets.
Manageable 100-card base set — completable without insanity.
Niche appeal with growing international collector interest in NBL as a development league.

Weaknesses / Considerations:

Full parallel odds, exact numbering, and some insert parallel details still TBA at pre-order — collectors should confirm before heavy investment.
Hobby-only at launch limits accessibility vs. products with retail options.
Secondary market will be driven heavily by big-name hits (Cotton, Dellavedova, McGee autos/relics, top rookies) and SSPs; commons and mid-parallels may have softer demand outside Australia/NZ.
Smaller overall print run expected (typical for NBL flagships), which helps scarcity but can make completing sets or finding specific cards harder long-term.

Who should buy? NBL fans, prospectors tracking Aussie talent for NBA pipelines, and collectors who enjoy international sets with personality. It’s a step up in collector experience from the prior flagship thanks to the hit guarantees and fresh insert themes. For pure volume or retail accessibility, the recent Chrome editions may still appeal more to some.

Value outlook: Strong for the price point if you’re in it for the hits and NBL-specific content. The guaranteed auto + relic per box provides a solid floor. Low-numbered parallels and SSP inserts (especially Next Stars or Atlas rookies) will carry the upside.

Verdict: A welcome and improved return for the Topps NBL flagship. It balances accessibility (guaranteed hits), chase depth (robust parallels + SSPs), and cultural flavor better than its immediate predecessor. With the league producing more NBA-adjacent talent than ever, this set should have lasting appeal for both local collectors and global prospect hunters.

For the latest checklist updates, odds sheets, or pre-order links once available, keep an eye on Topps.com and major retailers. Previous flagship coverage lives on Cardboard Connection (linked above), and Beckett remains the best source for evolving details.

This is a set worth watching closely as more parallel and odds information drops closer to release. Go NBL! 🏀🇦🇺

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