• Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Get Sports Collectors Daily via EMail
    • Advertise with SC Daily
    • Where Can I Sell My Baseball Cards?
    • Write About Your Sports Collection
  • Hot on Ebay
    • Most Watched Baseball Cards
      • 75 Most Watched Bowman Chrome Cards
      • Hottest Topps Living Set Auctions on eBay
      • Babe Ruth Cards
      • Hank Aaron Cards
      • Mickey Mantle Cards
      • Willie Mays Cards
      • Nolan Ryan Cards
      • T206 Cards
      • Goudey Cards
      • 1952 Topps Cards
    • Most Watched Basketball Cards
      • Top 100 Most Watched Basketball Rookie Cards
      • Michael Jordan Cards
      • LeBron James Rookie Cards
      • Stephen Curry Cards
    • Most Watched Football Cards
    • Most Watched Hockey Cards
      • Connor McDavid Cards
      • Bobby Orr Cards
    • Soccer Cards
      • Panini World Cup Stickers
    • Rookie Cards
    • PSA 10 Cards
    • Sports Autographs
    • Vintage Sports Memorabilia
  • Ending Soon on Ebay
    • Baseball Cards
    • Basketball Cards
    • Football Cards
    • Hockey Cards
    • Vintage Sports Memorabilia

Sports Collectors Daily

Sports collecting news - Sports cards and sports memorabilia industry news.

  • Sports Memorabilia News
  • Sports Card News
    • Modern Sports Card News
      • Hottest 2019 NFL Rookie Cards on eBay
      • Hottest 2019 Baseball Rookie Cards
      • New Sports Card Release Calendar
      • What’s Hot in the Shop
    • Vintage Sports Card News
      • Affordable Vintage Cards, Collectibles
      • Old Baseball Card Sets
      • Old Basketball Card Sets
      • Old Football Card Sets
      • Old Hockey Card Sets
      • Vintage Pack Facts
  • Business/Industry News
    • Sports Memorabilia Business News
    • Sports Memorabilia Industry News
  • Around The Hobby
    • Editor’s Blog
    • David Cycleback’s Identification and Authentication Advice
  • Popular Stories
  • Sell Your Cards
You are here: Home / Sports Card News / Vintage Sports Card News / Best Rookie Cards of 1970s College Hoop Heroes

Best Rookie Cards of 1970s College Hoop Heroes

March 9, 2014 By Rich Mueller

College basketball tournaments will create their own stars over the next four weeks.   For some, it will be the greatest moment of their athletic lives and we’ll never see them on an NBA court.

For others, it will be a springboard to a great pro career.

Even though many will spend several years in the league, what they accomplished in college may overshadow what they do for a paycheck.

If you’re a college basketball junkie and a card collector, we’ve put together a March Madness starting five…a quintet of the best 1970s NBA rookie cards of players who made their name in college basketball.  Click the name to see the player’s cards on  eBay.

One of th1972-73 Austin Carrese guys never played in the Big Dance, though.  Can you guess who it is?

1972-73 Topps Austin Carr:  Simply put, Carr put Notre Dame basketball on the map.  What was once just a diversion between football and spring football became a hot ticket when Carr stepped on the court.  Playing in an era when freshmen were ineligible, Carr scored 2560 points, averaging 34.5 points per game over three seasons.   Carr’s greatest game is still talked about today.  His 61-point outburst against Ohio University in 1970 remains an NCAA Tournament single-game record.   His Cavs’ rookie card can be had for a song.

1969-70 Topps Elvin Hayes:  The Big E met Big Lew in the first nationally televised college basketball game in 1968.  The two centers drew 52,000 fans to the Astrodome.  Hayes didn’t disappoint, scoring 39 points but UCLA and Alcindor got revenge in the tournament.  Hayes scored 36.8 ppg in 1968 and averaged 31 points and 17 rebounds for his career.  He once had 37 rebounds in a game.  He had a great pro career, but Hayes was a legend at Houston.  One of the key cards to the ’69-70 Topps set and not nearly as expensive as the Alcindor rookie.

1976-77 Topps David Thompson1976-77 Topps David Thompson:  Believe it or not, there was a time when dunking wasn’t allowed in college basketball…a pity for those who knew of the athletic ability of David Thompson.  A dazzling performer, Thompson was Michael Jordan’s idol when he played at North Carolina State in the early 70s.  Thompson led NC State to a perfect record in 1973 and an NCAA championship in ’74 when they beat UCLA.  Coach Norm Sloan let him dunk in game just for fun, then pulled him out to a standing ovation after the ‘Pack was hit with a technical foul. Thompson’s #44 is the only one ever retired by the school.  For true hoop fans, Thompson’s card is a must have…and it’s cheap.

1974-75 Topps Bill Walton:   Some consider him the greatest college basketball player in history.  A pure center with outstanding fundamentals, Walton was NCAA Player of the Year three times.  With Walton manning the middle, UCLA won 88 straight games during his career.  His 44-point effort in the 1973 championship game is the single-greatest offensive performance in college basketball history, a nearly flawless 21 of 22 shooting exhibition.  His rookie card is undervalued, largely because of his legendary college career.

1970-71 Topps Pete Maravich:  There have been thousands of college basketball players over the past four decades.  And then there is Maravich.  He actually had a stellar NBA career but Maravich will forever be identified with floppy socks and the gold and purple colors of LSU.  The numbers seem impossible, even if the Tigers’ offense was built for him to do virtually everything.  His 44.2 ppg scoring average is to college hoops what Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak is to baseball.  The odds of anyone breaking it are extremely unlikely.  3667 total points…in three varsity seasons.  Keep in mind that Maravich never played with a three-point line either.  If he had that luxury, a study showed he would have averaged 57.

Sadly, Pete passed away at age 40 and he’s also the answer to the trivia question posed earlier.  He never played in an NCAA Tournament game.

There is tremendous demand for a high-grade Maravich rookie card but fortunately it’s not rare in lower grade.  One of the three or four most important basketball cards of all-time.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • Digg

Related Stories:

1958_Topps_MarisPost-War Rookie Card Investments On a Budget Early Reaction to 2013-14 Upper Deck Black Basketball Streakers: Cards of Players Who Own the Longest Hitting Streaks in MLB History 1952 Berk Ross Baseball Set Offered Joe D, Mantle, Mays, Jackie Remembering ‘The Man’: Six Great Cards Of Stan Musial Transogram Baseball Figures and Cards: An Amazin’ Mystery Play Ball 1941 collectionThought Lost, Pristine 1941 Play Ball Collection Emerges from Attic Vintage Pack Break of the Week: 1975-76 Topps Basketball Wax Topps Pete Maravich card 1972-73Ten 1970s Basketball Cards for the Hoop History Lover 15 Cards for 50 Cents: 1989 Topps Baseball Set Turns 30
Mile High Card Co Accepting Consignments

About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for more than 30 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected]

Filed Under: Vintage Sports Card News Tagged With: Austin, basketball, Bill Walton, career, College, Dame, David Thompson, game, Houston, Joe DiMaggio, Michael Jordan, North Carolina, Pete, Pete Maravich, Topps

Trackbacks

  1. Bobo Newsom's Amazing Run says:
    March 9, 2014 at 10:09 pm

    […] and Don Zimmer among the cards listed.  One of my all-time favorite cards in this grouping is the 2006 Topps Heritage Jerry Snyder card where he wrote on each card: “This isn’t me”. I think that may be my favorite error card […]

What\\\
Huggins and Scott - Now accepting consignments
Memory Lane
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Hockey

Bargain Corner

  • Mickey Mantle Cards Under $100
  • Graded T206 Cards Under $50
  • Pre-1980 Graded Baseball Cards $5 and Less
  • Pre-1985 Graded Football Cards $5 and Less
  • Pre-1980 Graded Basketball Cards $5 and Less
  • Pre-1990 Graded Hockey Cards $5 and Less
  • Complete Sets Under $10 with Free Shipping
  • Baseball Hall of Famers for $5 or Less
  • Football Hall of Famers for $5 or Less
  • Hobby Boxes Under $30
  • Pre-1986 Rookie Cards Under $1

RSS Auction Report

  • RR Auction Presents January 8, 2020 Fine Autographs and Artifacts Auction
  • Steve Novella Offers PSA Graded Cards Ending Dec.17th and Dec.18th
  • Now Accepting Consignments – Love of the Game Auctions
  • Dan Imler Joins Heritage Auctions as Vice President of the Sports Division


Categories

  • Business/Industry News
    • Sports Memorabilia Business News
    • Sports Memorabilia Industry News
  • David Cycleback's Identification and Authentication Advice
  • Editor's Blog
  • Library of College Football
  • National Sports Collectors Convention
  • Old Hockey Card Sets
  • Popular Stories
  • Rich Klein's Ramblings
  • Shopping
  • Sports Card News
    • Modern Sports Card News
      • New Sports Card Release Calendar
    • Vintage Sports Card News
      • Old Baseball Card Sets
      • Old Basketball Card Sets
      • Old Football Card Sets
      • Vintage Pack Facts
  • Sports Memorabilia
    • Around the Hobby
    • Sports Memorabilia News
  • What's Hot in the Shop

Sponsor Links

  • Buying Vintage Sports Cards
  • Game Used Jerseys
  • Every Athlete Autograph Event
  • 1952 Topps Baseball
  • Championship Rings For Sale
  • Vintage Basketball Cards
  • NBA Signed Items
  • Signed Sports Memorabilia
  • UFC Memorabilia
  • Autographed Baseballs
  • NASCAR Autographs
  • Vintage Graded Baseball Cards
  • Player Pictures
  • Vintage Football Cards
  • Sports Card Boxes
  • Sports Collectors Store

Pages

  • 100 Most Watched Graded Rookie Cards for Sale on eBay
  • 20 Hottest Barry Sanders Football Cards
  • 2016 Cubs Replica Championship Rings Don’t Cost a Fortune
  • 2017 Topps Definitive Collection Box Breaks, Most Watched
  • 2019 Toronto Raptors NBA Championship Memorabilia Guide
  • 2019 US Women’s World Cup Apparel, Merchandise, Memorabilia Guide
  • 50 Hottest Kareem Hunt Rookie Cards
  • 75 Most Watched Bowman Chrome Cards
  • Aaron Judge Game Used Memorabilia Inventory Growing
  • About Us/Contact/Advertise
    • Advertise with SC Daily
    • Contact Us
    • Get Sports Collectors Daily via EMail
  • Affordable Vintage Sports Cards and Collectibles
  • Auctions Ending Soon on eBay
  • Baseball Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Basketball Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Best Derek Jeter Baseball Cards on eBay
  • Best Display Cabinets for Sports Memorabilia
  • Best Joey Votto Rookie Cards
  • Best Pascal Siakam Rookie Cards
  • Current Most Watched Baseball Cards on eBay
  • Dale Murphy Rookie Card Remains Popular, Affordable
  • Eagles Super Bowl Champions Memorabilia Guide
  • Fanatics Under Wraps 2017 Next Level Edition Autographed Baseballs
  • Football Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Frank Gore Rookie Cards Get No Respect
  • Gardner Minshew Rookie Cards Heat Up as Fun-Loving Rookie Shows His Ability
  • Great Gifts for Cubs Fans
  • Guide to 2018-19 Clemson Tigers National Championship Memorabilia
  • Guide to Houston Astros Championship Memorabilia
  • Guide to Nationals World Series Champs Memorabilia, Merchandise
  • Guide to St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup Champions Merchandise, Memorabilia
  • Guide to Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Memorabilia
  • Hank Aaron Cards on eBay
  • Henrik Lundqvist Rookie Cards a Strong Long-Term Play
  • Hockey Card Auctions Ending Soon on eBay
  • Hottest 2019 Baseball Rookie Cards
  • Hottest 2019 NFL Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Devin Booker Rookie Cards as Suns Star Piles Up Points
  • Hottest Lonzo Ball Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Panini National Treasures Cards on eBay
  • Hottest Panini World Cup Stickers on eBay
  • Hottest PSA 10 Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Hottest Topps Living Set Auctions on eBay
  • Hottest Topps NOW Cards on eBay
  • Hottest UFC Relic Cards
  • Hottest Xander Bogaerts Rookie Cards
  • LeBron James Lakers Jerseys Already Available
  • Links
  • Mickey Mantle Cards on eBay
  • Most Popular Bobbleheads on eBay
  • Most Watched 1/1 Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Basketball Cards on eBay
    • Hottest Michael Jordan Basketball Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Football Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Goudey Baseball Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Hockey Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Soccer Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Most Watched Sports Autographs on eBay
  • Most Watched Sports Jerseys on eBay
  • Most Watched Vintage Sports Memorabilia on eBay
  • Patriots Super Bowl 51 Champions Merchandise
  • Selling Sports Cards on eBay for Cash
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Test
  • The 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Kris Bryant Auto Saga: A Timeline
  • Top 100 Most Watched Baseball Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Top 100 Most Watched Basketball Rookie Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Top Selling Patriots Super Bowl Championship Items
  • Upper Deck Authenticated Autographs Remain Popular, Accessible
  • Vintage Sports Memorabilia on eBay Ending Soon
  • What’s Hot on eBay
  • What’s It Worth
  • Where Can I Sell My Baseball Cards?
  • Write About Your Sports Collection

Copyright © 2019 SportsCollectorsDaily.com | Genesis Web Design by Wickam Group