Without a doubt, this year's All-Star Slam Dunk Contest left a lot to be desired. The lack of explosion and creativity from those who participated definitely gave more light to the better iterations of this contest from years back. That's why a good remedy for those in the hobby is to pursue pieces of memorabilia that can highlight the best dunkers this game has ever seen. And when it comes to dunks, there's no better option out there than chasing those epic Vince Carter NBA cards in the market.
Carter's early career was largely defined by his insane 2000 Slam Dunk Contest performance. This early accomplishment helped elevate his status in the league in a career that spanned 22 seasons in the NBA and a number of accolades along the way.
5 astonishing Vince Carter NBA cards, ranked
Those who need to fill their collection with the most epic Vinsanity cards need not look further. Here are 5 cards of Carter that will take your breath away.
5. 1998 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card
Back in the day, the set to get when it comes to NBA cards mostly came from Topps because of its timeless look and proven value in the market. That's why for the card company's 1998 offering, there were few players who are more in demand than Carter was then.
His 1998 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card represented everything great about Air Canada. The image used on the card accurately captures Carter's impressive leap and passion as he brings a dunk back home while wearing a classic Toronto Raptors jersey. Its refractor look also boosts the value of the card to insane levels these days. A copy encased inside a BGS 9.5 slab was recently sold on eBay for a staggering $3,283 price tag.
When it comes to rookie cards and Vinsanity, it rarely doesn't get better than this Topps Chrome classic.
4. 2020 Panini Flawless Championship Tag Patch Auto One of One
Carters' final season in the NBA was a quiet one. With the pandemic looming large a few years ago, Vinsanity retired from the league after spending 22 seasons as an active player. And during that time, the jersey he was wearing was one that represented the Atlanta Hawks.
Even though he was 43 years old during his stint in Atlanta, Carter still managed to post 5 points and 2.1 rebounds while averaging 14.6 minutes in 60 games. While it was a far cry from his early years, the fact still remains that he holds the record of playing the most seasons with the last one spent in Atlanta. And at this point in time, there's are few cards that better represent his longevity than this 2020 Panini Flawless Championship Tag Patch Auto.
One look at this card and any collector will fall in love with it. For one, the Championship Tag patch encased within pairs well with Carter's on-card signature. It also helps that a One of One logo is engraved on it, making this Vince Carter NBA card much more desirable. But keep in mind that a massive pull like doesn't come cheap. In fact, it's currently valued at $4,494 in the market.
3. 2007 Upper Deck Chronology Timeless Memories Auto
When getting Vince Carter NBA cards, it's a must to find those that have the legends dunking. While those numbered parallels and patch autos are awesome, the greater option would have to be a card that has Carter suspended in the air with an autograph on the side.
If that's the goal, then this 2007 Upper Deck Chronology Vince Carter auto is the ideal choice to go for. It showcases Vinsanity's legendary jam during the Slam Dunk contest, his signature, and a classy black and silver border putting everything together. Just be prepared, though, because a PSA 10 slab of this bad boy is currently valued at $7,878.
2. 2021 Panini Flux Black One of One
Although Carter's latest NBA cards from Panini aren't as in demand as his Topps offerings, there are still some that stand above the rest. While a good chunk of his Panini cards uses different uniforms, those with Carter in his Raptors jersey are still the most preferred. Case in point, this 2021 Flux Black Prizm One of One NBA card.
Flux's distinct design, coupled with a unique mojo pattern and a One of One badge at the back, makes this card a worthy addition to any Vince Carter collection. And it gets better if this particular pull is encased within a gem-mint slab from trusted grading companies. If that happens, it can see its current value of $10,000 go up further in the market.
1. 1998 Skybox Premium Star Rubies rookie card
Although Carter's Topps Chrome Refractor is his definitive rookie card, there's another one from Skybox that takes the cake. His Skybox Premium Star Rubies, numbered to 25 copies, is rarer and more valuable than that of Topps. It showcases Carter at his best, an image of him leaping to the rim, with ruby red labels and down below and the company's logo on the upper right area.
Another detail to take note of is the word “Rookie” just below. The addition of this classy detail in red makes it known that it's a Vince Carter rookie card that's cut above all the rest of his first-year offerings in the market. And since it's pretty hard to obtain this particular piece of memorabilia, the $15,100 price attached to it is certainly justified.
With these insane options out there, any Vince Carter card collector won't run out of cards to choose from. Keep in mind to choose those that are still in great condition so collectors can get their money's worth in the end.
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