The NBA is shaking things up in a big way this season. For the first time ever, rookies will wear special patches during their debut games, and those patches will turn into one of the most valuable trading cards a collector could ever get their hands on.

This is all part of a new partnership between the NBA, the National Basketball Players Association and Fanatics Collectibles, which brings Topps back to producing officially licensed NBA cards for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

Topps lost the NBA license 16 years ago, but now the iconic trading card company is returning with fresh ideas that connect fans to real moments in ways they never have before.​ So let’s dive deeper!

What Is the NBA Debut Patch?

The NBA Debut Patch is a special commemorative patch that every rookie will wear on their jersey during their very first regular season game. It is a small, visually distinct patch designed specifically for this program. The sole purpose of this patch is to mark the exact moment a player steps onto an NBA court for the first time.

After the game, this piece of fabric is removed to become the centerpiece of an extremely valuable trading card.

Additionally, award winners from the previous season (MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year) will wear a special gold NBA Logoman patch that will also be removed and used for similarly rare trading cards. This new collectible initiative aims to deepen fan engagement by connecting authentic, irreplaceable NBA moments directly to trading cards.

This initiative directly connects an on court event to the collector’s market. The patch captures a one of a kind moment that can never be replicated. For collectors, it offers a tangible piece of a player’s professional origin story. This program has already seen massive success in Major League Baseball, where a similar patch from pitcher Paul Skenes sold for over one million dollars.

How Will Rookies Wear the Debut Patch?

The process for these patches is a carefully orchestrated event. Before a rookie’s debut game, the special patch is securely attached to their official team jersey.

They then wear it throughout the course of the game, literally playing their first NBA minutes with the marker on their uniform. As soon as the final buzzer sounds, the jersey is collected and the patch is immediately removed.

A company called Certified Guaranty Company, or CGC, then steps in to authenticate the patch. This official verification guarantees to collectors that the patch is the real deal from that specific game.

The rookie then personally signs the finished trading card that contains the authenticated patch. This creates an ultimate one of one rookie card that combines a game worn relic with an autograph.

The Gold NBA Logoman Patch: Extra Recognition for Award Winners

A separate and exclusive patch program is reserved for the league’s top performers from the previous season. The three players who won the Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year awards will wear a special Gold NBA Logoman Patch.

This season, that means Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Stephon Castle, and Evan Mobley will sport the gold patches on their jerseys.

The gold patch features the iconic NBA logo but in a distinctive gold color scheme. It will be placed on the back of the players’ jerseys, making it visible during games throughout the season.

Just like the rookie patches, these gold logos will be periodically removed from the jerseys and inserted into limited edition trading cards. This program is planned to continue for future seasons, honoring each year’s award winners.

Why NBA Debut Patches Are a Game Changer

These patches fundamentally change how fans and collectors can engage with a rookie’s career start. They create an immediate physical collectible tied to an unforgettable first moment.

The excitement around chasing these one of one cards is expected to drive massive interest in the trading card market. It transforms a rookie’s debut from a mere statistic into a owned piece of sports history.

For NBA rookies like Cooper Flagg, their debut patch card could instantly become their most valuable collectible. This innovation also shifts collecting focus beyond just rookie cards to include cards celebrating ongoing player achievements and awards.

This program significantly boosts a rookie’s personal brand from day one. It creates a landmark artifact that will be sought after for their entire career.

The partnership between the NBA, Topps, and Fanatics uses memorabilia to tell a deeper story about a player’s journey. It provides a new way for the next generation of fans to feel a tangible connection to their favorite new stars.