Best and Wildest 1990s Basketball Insert Sets of All-Time
There was a time when the hobby's most valuable basketball cards didn't have little pieces of jerseys or autographs from the game's top players. Most weren't even rookie cards. In the 1990s, inserts were king. Especially those that were inserted one per case (or even tougher). For collectors, there are quite a few choices as far as the top 1990s basketball inserts.
Here's a look back at some of the more unique insert sets that continue to capture the attention (and dollars) of basketball card collectors today. We've applied some simple criteria to this list: no autographs, no memorabilia cards and no parallels.
Here are several of the best basketball insert sets the hobby had to offer in the 1990s.
Top 1990s Basketball Insert Sets
Click on the linked sets below to shop for available cards on eBay.
1996-97 E-X2000 A Cut Above
Strange die-cuts were a common theme in 1990s inserts. 1996-97 E-X2000 A Cut Above made the cards resemble the blade of a buzz saw. Inserted 1:288 packs, the cards are rare. Like nearly every set he's in, Michael Jordan stands out, with professionally graded gem mint copies selling for thousands.
1996-97 Flair Showcase Hot Shots
Die-cut to look like a flaming basketball, 1996-97 Flair Showcase Hot Shots cards are instantly recognizable. Inserted 1:90 packs, even the common players still sell decently. Of course, high-grade 1996-97 Flair Showcase Michael Jordan cards regularly sell for a lot.
1996-97 SkyBox Premium Golden Touch
Holy foil and die-cuts! There's no mistaking the look of 1996-97 SkyBox Premium Golden Touch. Falling 1:240 1996-97 SkyBox Premium Series 2 packs, the set is somewhat affordable when compared to similarly rare inserts from the era.
1996-97 SkyBox Z-Force Big Man on Court
Wild die-cuts, silver foil, long odds and a killer checklist have helped make 1996-97 SkyBox Z-Force Big Man on Court on of the most distinct and memorable inserts ever. Inserted 1:240 packs of 1996-97 SkyBox Z-Force Series 1, the checklist includes Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal and eight more of basketball's best veterans at the time.
1997-98 E-X2001 Jambalaya
1997-98 E-X2001 Jambalaya is one of the wildest insert sets to gain traction in the hobby. Inserted at an astounding 1:720 packs, they're extremely hard to come by. And 1997-98 E-X2001 wasn't exactly an entry-level product that people ripped tons of. Cards are die-cut into ovals and have a foil background. The 15-card checklist is headlined by Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
1997-98 Metal Universe Platinum Portraits
Inserted 1:288 packs, 1997-98 Metal Universe Platinum Portraits use tiny die-cut holes to create a picture of the player's face. The result is something extremely unique, a trait common among many of the most popular 1990s basketball inserts.
1997-98 SkyBox Premium Golden Touch
Returning for another year at even tougher odds, 1997-98 SkyBox Premium is even more valuable than the 1996-97 version. Landing 1:360 packs of 1997-98 SkyBox Premium Series 1, the die-cut cards have tons of gold foil. The 15-card set has a textured feel thanks to embossing.
1997-98 SkyBox Z-Force Big Men on Court
Although not quite as popular as the previous year's cards (and not nearly as distinct), 1997-98 SkyBox Z-Force Big Men on Court benefits from being extremely tough to find. Inserted 1:288 packs of 1997-98 SkyBox Z-Force Series 2, the cards are printed on plastic thermo-stock and have a 3D look to them.
1998-99 Fleer Playmakers Theatre
One of the most complex insert sets ever produced, 1998-99 Fleer Playmakers Theatre features die-cuts, gold foil card stock and embossing. They're also numbered to 100 copies. At least original copies are. 1998-99 Fleer Playmakers Theatre cards can be found without serial numbers and embossing. While it's difficult to pinpoint the exact origins of these versions, it is very likely they came from excess Fleer stock that was auctioned off when the card maker went bankrupt. While both versions carry strong secondary market value, it's the original cards that are the most popular (as they should be).
1998-99 SkyBox Thunder Noyz Boyz
Although coming out of a product that was originally very affordable, 1998-99 SkyBox Thunder Noyz Boz cards have risen to prominence thanks to their long odds. Falling 1:300 packs, individual singles remain tough to come by. The die-cut design is also popular with collectors. Not surprisingly, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are the highlights of the 15-card set.
1998-99 Ultra Exclamation Points
1998-99 Ultra Exclamation Points are a case hit, falling 1:288 packs. Each came housed in a condition-sensitive die-cut sleeve. As far as rare 90s inserts go, 1998-99 Ultra Exclamation Points may be one of the better bargains. Although graded versions of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant can command massive amounts, raw copies featuring star players can still be found for much less.
1999-00 Fleer Mystique Raise the Roof
Even in the post-Michael Jordan 90s inserts can command huge amounts. Want proof? Check out 1999-00 Fleer Mystique Raise the Roof. Numbered to 100, the rare inserts have a beautiful background shine that takes up the majority of the design. The ten-card checklist is made up of explosive players (at least as they were perceived at the time). 1999-00 Fleer Mystique Raise the Roof is one of the toughest '90s inserts to find today.
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What about the Slam Funk ?! Weren’t those higher odds than the Noyz Boyz?