Panini America has reached an exclusive autograph trading card and memorabilia agreement with 2019 All-American point guard Ja Morant, the former Murray State star and projected top-five pick in the June 20, 2019 NBA Draft.
Morant, who led the nation in assists (10.0 apg) while scoring 24.5 points per game during his sophomore season at Murray State, is expected to be one of the headliners of the 2019 Draft Class and will be a featured in all of Panini America’s 2019-20 collegiate and NBA trading card products, beginning with 2019 Contenders Draft Picks Basketball in late August and 2019-20 NBA Hoops Basketball in late October.
Morant’s rookie cards and autograph cards will be available exclusively in licensed Panini America products. He’ll also appear in NBA Dunk, the company’s digital trading card app. But Morant’s first officially licensed NBA Rookie Card will be available on Draft Night just minutes after he is selected through the Panini Instant on-demand trading card platform.
“I dreamed of having my own trading card to share with family, friends and fans, and Panini America is helping make that dream come true,” Morant said in a statement. “I’m appreciative of that and look forward to a long relationship.”
Topps went back to its 1974-75 basketball card design for this week’s Throwback Thursday set. The five-card issue includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his rookie teammate Cavan Biggio, who recently made his big league debut with the Blue Jays. In fact, it’s a Toronto-heavy set. Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar also gets a card.
The rest of the checklist for the $19.99 set that’s available for a week includes: Willie Mays, Buster Posey and A’s outfielder Ramon Laureano.
You can check them out here.
The first Gordie Howe Estate Auction, conducted through Frozen Pond and NHL Auctions is over. Highlights included the jersey ($6,275 U.S.) and jacket ($2,900) worn by the late hockey icon during the 2014 Winter Classic Alumni Game puck drop.
A pair of 1994 All-Star Game commemorative jerseys autographed and worn by Howe sold for $2,875 and $1,225.
A framed autographed photo featuring Howe, Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Hull that hung in Howe’s home sold for $2,150.
Ninety percent of the lots offered received bids, according to Frozen Pond’s Hersh Bornstein.
These were the first items released for auction by the family since Howe’s passing in June of 2016. Proceeds of over $40,000 U.S. will benefit The Howe Foundation, the official charity of Gordie and Colleen Howe.
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