1990-91 SkyBox Basketball Cards
By Ryan Cracknell
1990-91 SkyBox Basketball was considered premium at the time. It might not be worth a lot today, but the memorable design and solid checklist give it some lasting relevance.
1990-1999 Basketball Cards
While the early 1990s were a hobby wasteland across all sports, the mid-to-late 1990s belong to basketball cards. The drawing power of Michael Jordan cards, combined with new inserts like Jambalaya and rare parallels like Precious Metal Gems, intrigued collectors. Add that to an influx of elite rookie talent and demand would soon explode.
In 1997, Skybox Autographics brought in-pack autographed cards to NBA collectors for the first time and the industry would soon make that a common theme in future card products. Late-1990s cards saw decent interest initially, but it was not until years later that collectors realized just how valuable these rare cards could become.
Like Michael Jordan in the 1980s, Kobe Bryant is the clear favorite rookie option for collectors. Other popular rookie cards from the decade include Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, Ray Allen, Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Grant Hill and Gary Payton.
Featured 1990s Basketball Cards Guides
- Top 1990s Basketball Rookie Cards
- Top 1990s Basketball Insert Sets
- Why Many Sports Cards from the Late 1980s and Early 1990s Are Nearly Worthless
1990s Basketball Card Sets
Explore our database of 1990s Basketball Card Set Information. Each product profile features set checklists, product info, expert analysis, and deals on singles and boxes. Browse basketball cards from 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, and 1999-00.
1992-93 Topps Stadium Club Basketball Cards
By Trey Treutel
Featuring a popular Shaquille O’Neal rookie card, 1992-93 Stadium Club Basketball is further enhanced by the Beam Team insert that includes Michael Jordan and Shaq.
1993-94 Topps Finest Basketball Cards
By Ryan Cracknell
1993-94 Topps Finest Basketball marks the brand’s hardcourt debut. The NBA set is led by Michael Jordan and the Refractor parallels along with rookie cards of Anfernee Hardaway and Chris Webber.
1994-95 Topps Finest Basketball Cards
By Ryan Cracknell
Featuring Grant Hill and Jason Kidd rookies, 1994-95 Topps Finest Basketball also offers popular Refractors and Michael Jordan cards.
1995-96 Topps Finest Basketball Cards
By Ryan Cracknell
By today’s standards, 1995-96 Topps Finest Basketball is a very simple set. Rookie cards are led by Kevin Garnett, however a solid second tier includes Jerry Stackhouse, Michael Finley and Rasheed Wallace.
1996-97 Bowman’s Best Basketball Cards
By Trey Treutel
Led by Atomic Refractors and Kobe Bryant rookie cards, 1996-97 Bowman’s Best Basketball is a chromium treat from the 1990s.
1996-97 Flair Showcase Basketball Cards
By Trey Treutel
Boasting multiple base tiers, limited Legacy Collection parallels and cool inserts, 1996-97 Flair Showcase Basketball offers plenty. Collectors can find rookie cards for Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Ray Allen, as well as base and insert cards for Michael Jordan.
1996-97 Fleer Ultra Basketball Cards
By Trey Treutel
Led by rookie cards for Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Ray Allen, 1996-97 Fleer Ultra Basketball is a fun NBA product that is further boosted by a large insert lineup.
1996-97 Skybox E-X2000 Basketball Cards
By Trey Treutel
1996-97 Skybox E-X2000 Basketball offers an exciting look back at the peak of ’90s basketball collecting. The distinct set offers rookie cards for Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Ray Allen.
1996-97 Skybox Z-Force Basketball Cards
By Trey Treutel
Featuring loud designs, plenty of color and an abundance of Zs, 1996-97 Skybox Z-Force Basketball offers a fun look back at 1990s collecting. The product includes the popular Big Men on Court inserts and rookie cards for Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen and Steve Nash.
1996-97 SP Basketball Cards
By Ryan Cracknell
1996-97 SP Basketball is led by several standout insert sets. It’s also bolstered by several top rookie cards, including Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Allen Iverson.
1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards
By Ryan Cracknell
1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball features one of the best rookie card lineups for a modern basketball card set with Kobe Bryant leading the way. High-grade copies and Refractors are highly desired.
1996-97 Topps Finest Basketball Cards
By Ryan Cracknell
Led by Kobe Bryant, 1996-97 Topps Finest Basketball features a stellar rookie crop. The multi-tiered checklist makes building a complete set a challenge.
1997-98 Skybox E-X2001 Basketball Cards
By Trey Treutel
Led by Essential Credentials parallels, Jambalaya inserts and rookie cards for Tim Duncan, 1997-98 Skybox E-X2001 Basketball is a product that is worth revisiting.
1997-98 Skybox Metal Universe Basketball Cards
By Trey Treutel
The birthplace of Precious Metal Gems parallels, 1997-98 Metal Universe Basketball is also the place to find popular 1990s inserts like Platinum Portrait and Titanium. Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady are the top rookie options.
1997-98 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards
By Trey Treutel
Headlined by Refractors and the best rookie card options for Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady, 1997-98 Topps Chrome Basketball is a popular 1990s product that is still relatively affordable.
1998-99 SP Authentic Basketball Cards
By Trey Treutel
1998-99 SP Authentic Basketball is headlined by the numbered rookie cards for Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter. Michael Jordan is also a major focus and is included in the popular Sign of the Times insert line.
