Complete Guide to LEGO NBA Figures, Sets & Upper Deck Cards

Overview

Although the line was relatively short-lived, official LEGO NBA products offer collectors an intriguing alternative for building their basketball collections. LEGO mini-figures are a mainstream option that appeals to both kids and adults, but may not be as commonly thought of in the sports collecting world. While some individual LEGO NBA figures can be be found for a few dollars, unopened player editions and full sets still command big dollars.

LEGO NBA products debuted in 2003 as part of the LEGO SPORTS line. The figures include unique facial designs and expressions, along with spring-loaded legs and team jerseys. The hands are designed so that the players are able to shoot, pass, and even reverse slam dunk. When secured on the court, the spring legs allow the player to be bent back with the ball in hand and shoot it at the basket, while another player controls the basket defense.

If you are not familiar with the LEGO NBA line, or just like videos that feature LEGOS, check out the short video below and take a trip back to the early-2000's.

LEGO NBA Video

The figures remain in decent supply despite being actively produced for only one season. Several of the featured NBA players are still playing in the league, but by now, their team, number or jersey is outdated. In addition to the official line, there are custom LEGO figures for collectors who want updated figures for their favorite NBA players, but those are not part of the official line. This gives collectors a shot at obtaining former greats, like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, or updated current stars, like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. View the available custom LEGO NBA figures here.

The LEGO NBA line received a recent boost based on the inclusion of Shaquille O'Neal in the The LEGO Movie. A Shaq LEGO figure, similar to the yellow jersey version shown in the gallery on the next tab, had a small role in the movie and was voiced by O'Neal. A screenshot from the movie can be seen below.

It is important to note that some of the LEGO NBA players have both home and away jersey variations, most of which are found in The NBA Ultimate Arena set. There is also a separate line of LEGO NBA keychains, which include a chain attached to the player's head. When purchasing specific figures, make sure to check the faces closely, as there is a tendency to mix-and-match LEGO when pieces go missing, and the wrong heads will occasionally be matched, as well as the wrong pants/lower torso.

View the tabs above to see images for each LEGO NBA figure, the top sets and arenas, and the exclusive Upper Deck NBA Lego cards.

Making purchases through affiliate links can earn the site a commission