Contenders Basketball

[kingofsnake]

2017-18:

[kingofsnake]

2018-19:



















































































Two players had live Variation cards, but Base redemptions were never produced (Kostas Antetokounmpo and Mitchell Robinson). Three other players had redemptions that were never made (Jacob Evans III, Omari Spellman, and Robert Williams III).

[kingofsnake]

2019-20:

























































































One redemption was never produced (Jaxson Hayes).

[mindcycle]

This is impressive man! Good eye here as well. It really is a classic design that has a pretty long history among several sports like you mention. Also among several manufacturers if you go back 10 or 20 years even.

I think when people look back on classic sets in the future, the contenders sets may very well be up the among those.

[kingofsnake]

Thanks, mindcycle. Yes, I'm a basketball fan and wanted to collect a set with continuity. However, continuity seems pretty rare in the hobby, sadly. In fact, I'm not sure I want Panini to make a Contenders this year without the top three picks.

[kingofsnake]

2020-21:





















































































Two redemptions were never made (Josh Green and Tyrese Haliburton).

[mindcycle]

Funny how Panini replaced the Lamelos but then released them anyway lol. Hopefully you got something good!

I guessing you can pick one up nowadays for a lot less than at release as well?

[kingofsnake]

Funny how Panini replaced the Lamelos but then released them anyway lol. Hopefully you got something good!

I guessing you can pick one up nowadays for a lot less than at release as well?

One would think so as he's been injured and hasn't been playing well this year. But no, I had to pay full freight - around $500 delivered.

[kingofsnake]

2021-22:

























































































One redemption has yet to be produced (Neemas Queta).

[kingofsnake]

2022-23:























































































Two redemptions have not yet been made (Caleb Houstan and Isaiah Mobley).

[kingofsnake]

As of today, Panini has yet to announce a 2023-24 Contenders release. Part of me is hoping that they don't make one as they likely wouldn't have autos of Wenbanyama, Miler and Scott. If 2022-23 is to be the last year for Contenders, then it was a satisfactory end to a good run.

[SacKingsCards]

Super impressive collection across quite a unique half decade in the hobby. Seeing all the years of contenders side by side helps me to see the differences in design year to year, which is more than I would've thought. Kudos to panini for that. I believe we have talked about this in the past, but really odd that your Haliburton is still unredeemed when mine from a different set within the product was redeemed within a month or two (premium edition variation auto).

Good point on whether or not Panini will choose to release a set this year. I didn't even realize they couldn't get autos from the top 3 picks. Hard to imagine them not releasing Contenders.

[kingofsnake]

So it looks like Panini is releasing Contenders in March, so one last ride.

Also some news: Panini replaced 6 Contenders redemptions that I had in the system - Kostas Antetokounmpo, Jacob Evans III, Josh Green, Jaxson Hayes, Omari Spellman, Robert Williams III. They replaced Green with an Optic Contenders Green, and the rest white Donruss Optic White Sparkle Packs. I guess I can close the book on those few years.

[mindcycle]

Yeah should be the last one from panini I would think. No Wemby auto but might help your wallet lol.

[kingofsnake]

Yeah should be the last one from panini I would think. No Wemby auto but might help your wallet lol.

Yes, I wonder what a Wemby might have costed. Really like Wemby though.