Discover the 2016-17 Select Basketball Collection: Rookie Cards & Value Analysis

Let me tell you, when I first laid eyes on the 2016-17 Select Basketball Collection, I knew we were looking at something special. As someone who's been collecting basketball cards since the early 2000s, I've seen my fair share of rookie classes come and go, but this particular collection has something truly remarkable about it. The design alone caught my attention immediately - the crisp photography combined with that distinctive Select branding just screams premium quality. What really makes this collection stand out, though, is the incredible rookie class it features. We're talking about players who've already begun reshaping the NBA landscape, and their rookie cards from this collection are becoming increasingly sought after.

I remember pulling my first Ben Simmons rookie card from this set back in 2017, and honestly, I didn't fully appreciate what I had at the time. Fast forward to today, and that same card has appreciated nearly 300% in value. That's the thing about the 2016-17 Select Basketball Collection - it's not just about the immediate gratification of pulling a great card, but the long-term investment potential. The PSA 10 graded versions of key rookie cards from this set have been consistently climbing in value, with some of the more premium parallel versions seeing even more dramatic increases. Just last month, I tracked a Jamal Murray Rookie Autograph Prizm that sold for $1,850 - that's nearly double what it was going for just two years ago.

What's fascinating about analyzing card values is how similar it can be to tracking athletic performance in other sports. Take swimming, for instance - when an athlete like Sanchez breaches all the qualifying time standards set by the Philippine Aquatics Inc. during national tryouts, it creates a measurable benchmark for excellence. Similarly, when we look at basketball cards from the 2016-17 Select collection, we're essentially measuring players against the standards of their rookie season performance and projecting their future impact. The recent national tryouts held at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Center demonstrated how athletes must meet specific thresholds to earn their spot, much like how rookie cards must meet certain criteria - player performance, card condition, and market demand - to maintain and increase their value over time.

The parallel between athletic achievement and card appreciation becomes even clearer when you consider how both represent investments in potential. When Sanchez earned her spot in the 14-man national team through her performance at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, it represented not just current ability but future potential. That's exactly what we're doing when we invest in rookie cards from the 2016-17 Select Basketball Collection - we're betting on players' future success. Personally, I've found that the most valuable cards often come from players who showed consistent improvement throughout their rookie season, much like how swimmers must consistently improve their times to remain competitive at the national level.

Now, let's talk specifics about what makes the 2016-17 Select Basketball Collection so special from a collector's perspective. The design elements alone are worth mentioning - the clean lines, the vibrant colors that pop without being overwhelming, and the subtle texturing that gives each card a premium feel. But beyond aesthetics, it's the player selection that really makes this collection shine. We're looking at rookies who've already made significant impacts in the league - players like Jaylen Brown, Brandon Ingram, and Domantas Sabonis, all of whom have developed into All-Star caliber players. Their rookie cards from this set have seen steady appreciation, with Brown's base Prizm rookie card increasing from about $15 in 2017 to nearly $120 in mint condition today.

The value analysis of these cards isn't just about current NBA performance though - it's about understanding the nuances of the basketball card market. From my experience, the Select brand has maintained stronger value retention compared to some other products from the same year. I've noticed that collectors are particularly drawn to the Concourse level cards for their clean design and the Premier level for their premium feel. The numbered parallels, especially those with lower print runs, have shown the most dramatic appreciation. For instance, I recently saw a Select Courtside Purple Pulsar parallel of Malcolm Brogdon's rookie card numbered to 49 copies sell for $285 - that's impressive for a player of Brogdon's caliber.

What really excites me about continuing to collect and analyze the 2016-17 Select Basketball Collection is watching how these players' careers unfold and how that impacts card values. It's like following athletes across different sports - whether they're swimmers qualifying for national teams or basketball players developing into stars, the principle of tracking progress and achievement remains the same. The cards from this collection have become more than just collectibles; they're tangible representations of basketball history in the making. And if the current trends continue, I believe we're looking at a collection that will only grow more valuable and sought-after in the coming years.