June 23, 2022
With 2021-22 Prizm set to release on May 25, 2022, this typically mid-year product will be dropping as the playoffs wind down. Still, the late release won’t slow down the hype for Prizm. At least much.
Cardlines is here to look to give you all the insight you need on basketball’s most significant release of the year with our 2021-22 Prizm Basketball preview.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=On4kM51yG_g
Introduction To The 2021-22 Prizm Basketball Review
Get a 2021-22 Prizm Basketball hobby box on eBay.
What are the prices on StockX?
Prizm is not a product that needs much introduction. First, however, here’s a quick background.
Prizm is the most popular sports card product for both basketball and basketball cards. More than any other product, it combines mass appeal with a reasonable price point for the number of cards per box (144). While we don’t know what this year’s box will officially release at, we can estimate it to cost about $1,000.
Additionally, Prizm maintains its popularity by reaching the mass market. You can find blaster, hanger, and mega boxes at your local Walmart or Target. This allows collectors to get a taste of Prizm without paying four figures can go that route. That is one of the main reasons it’s so popular.
A History Of Prizm Basketball
More interested in a blaster? Take a look at the stock on eBay.
StockX has very good prices on blasters as well.
Prizm was released in 2012 as part of Panini’s promise to provide innovative improvements to the sports card hobby. As Panini put it, the hobby was long overdue for an upgrade, and Prizm could be the answer.
Turns out it was. The opti-chrome set introduced the “prizm” card – the answer to Topps’ trademarked “refractor.” In the early years, the prizm cards came in simple color varieties: mainly silver, green, red, and aqua. Since then, Panini’s added a few new color options. It now has an extensive rainbow, although most are available only in hobby boxes.
The silver prizm cards are in all Prizm products and have since become any modern player’s single-most iconic rookie card. A PSA 10 silver prizm is as good as it gets for a long-term investment of a non-numbered card. And that anybody can go pick up a box of Prizm at Walmart and potentially pull a silver prizm of their favorite star rookie bolsters the product’s popularity.
Prizm has been in print for an entire decade. However, many offshoots from Panini include “prizm” cards: Select, Optic, Mosaic, and many more. In this way, Prizm is the grandfather of modern opti-chrome cards.

See what Jalen Green rookies are up on eBay.
What to Expect From 2021-22 Prizm Basketball
Every box of 2021/22 Panini Prizm Basketball is loaded with potential. While there are two autographs per box, most of the magic lies in the potential for prizm parallels of various colors. As a result, you can expect to find 22 prizm per box (including silver).
When it comes to rookies, look out for Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, and more.
This year’s product introduces a few new inserts: Mindset and Prizmatic are making their debut, while there’s also a 75 Years of the NBA insert to commemorate the anniversary season.

Is Cade your rookie of choice? Look for his cards on eBay.
2021-22 Prizm Basketball Review Of Formats
Prizm will be released in several formats. Here’s a breakdown of everything we can expect based on what we saw last year.
Hobby Box
- 12 cards per pack.
- 12 packs per box.
- 2 Autographs
- 22 prizms
- 10 Inserts
- Presells for around $1,900
Fast Break Hobby Box
- 9 cards per pack.
- 10 packs per box.
- 1 autograph, 12 Prizms, 6 inserts, and 1 rookie variation per box on average.
- Presells for $849.95
Hanger Box
- 20 cards per box
- 4 cracked ice inserts
Blaster Box
- 4 cards per pack
- 6 packs per box
- 1 blaster exclusive rookie memorabilia card*
Mega Box
- 4 cards per pack
- 10 Packs Per Box
- 1 autograph, on average
TMall Box
- 6 cards per box
- 1 exclusive base or rookie prizm red and yellow numbered to 49 or less*
2021-22 Prizm Basketball Review Of The Checklist
While we don’t have an official list of all the colors yet this year, we do know that Panini’s notes say, “Look for the popular Hobby Exclusive Black, Black Gold, Gold, and Mojo prizms! Find the top players around the league, including the new 2021-22 Draft Class!”
The black, gold and black/gold cards are some of the most iconic rookies in basketball history, so it’s great to see them returning.
The delivery, for the most part, will resemble last year’s save the addition of 2 new inserts.

Do you like the new Prizmatic inserts? Look for them on eBay.
If you’re hoping to invest in Prizm 2020-21, the first question to answer is if you should buy singles or wax.
Wax
Last year’s Prizm hobby boxes are already selling at $1,30, while the 2019-20 boxes sell for closer to $2,000. While we don’t have a pre-order price for this year’s edition, my guess is that it will not be much more than $1,000. That suggests there’s room for profit as a long-term investment.
As I’ve said before, how much the 2021-22 boxes ultimately sell for depends on how well the 2021 rookie class performs, but if you’re a believer in the incoming rooks, buying these boxes could be an excellent long-term hold. This class has looked impressively deep thus.
The blasters will presumably sell for around $30-40, and last year’s boxes are reselling for about $110. Based on how many they’re printing, they’d probably be a better short-term than long-term hold, but either way, it’s a win if you can buy them at retail. I would note, however, that blasters will be a lot safer flip than rip – mainly based on the absence of numbered cards or autographs inside them.
The 2018-19 hobby box holds high value. Get one on eBay.
Singles
Prizm rookie cards are the blue-chip investment of modern Panini rookies. So, if you’re going to invest in just one card of anybody, Prizm is the way to go.
The silver rookies are actually slightly overvalued, considering they’re the most common Prizm insert. That said, your best bet of making a guaranteed profit is finding a few silver rookies of players you believe in, buying them raw (after asking for more pictures), then getting them graded.
If you can scoop up silvers of the rookies you like and grade, you’ll be set for a long-term hold. Collectors go nuts for a silver PSA 10.
But caution: don’t buy the first Prizm cards that appear on eBay for this year. The price will inevitably drop as the supply meets the demand.
Bottomline Of The 2021-22 Prizm Basketball Review
With 2021-22 Prizm Basketball, there’s no way I can call it a pass. The brand is the poster child of basketball cards, so of course, you want to get in on the action in some form.
As for the rest of my options – rip, flip or hold – the answer is: all three. There’s not a wrong answer with Prizm.
Ripping is by far the riskiest option. However, there’s a chance for a great payoff. Of course, there’s also a chance you’re left with a “what did I just do?” feeling. But hey, that’s part of the game.
Flipping is a sure-fire profit if you find boxes at retail in the wild. Holding, whether long-term or short-term, for both retail and hobby, is a safe bet, too.
Ultimately, do what makes the most sense for you and your budget. This is a “hobby,” and while you can profit from it, hobbies are also about having fun.
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FAQs
2021-22 Prizm Basketball Review And Checklist? ›
Unlike the non-collegiate Prizms, these ones are not very valuable. Even the ever-so-popular Silver Prizm rookies from last year's top guys are only selling between $1-3. Any gains you make on that type of investment wouldn't even cover shipping.
Are Panini Prizm draft picks worth anything? ›Unlike the non-collegiate Prizms, these ones are not very valuable. Even the ever-so-popular Silver Prizm rookies from last year's top guys are only selling between $1-3. Any gains you make on that type of investment wouldn't even cover shipping.
What are the rarest Prizm cards? ›Card | Ungraded ▼ | Grade 9 |
---|---|---|
Jalen Green [Orange Prizm] #306 /49 | $3,375.01 | |
Brandon Ingram [Green Choice Prizm] #9 /8 | $3,008.00 | |
Jalen Green [Mojo Prizm] #306 /25 | $3,000.06 | $6,598.70 |
Stephen Curry [Black Gold Prizm] #154 /5 | $2,939.00 |
- Kobe Bryant 2012 Panini Prizm Autograph.
- LeBron James 2020 Panini Prizm Pink Ice.
- Trae Young 2018 Panini Prizm Rookie Signatures.
- Nikola Jokic Panini Prizm Rookie Card #335.
- Zion Williamson 2019 Prizm Pink Ice Rookie Card.
- Jayson Tatum 2017 Panini Prizm White Sparkle Rookie Card.
The limited number creates scarcity and makes the silver prizms sell for significantly more. Then, compare the 1,000 silver prizms to, say, a /199 blue prizm. The blue prizm would be 5x more rare than the silver, meaning it will sell for even more.
What is the rarest card in Panini? ›Sold for $4.6M. Reflecting the fast pace of the basketball card market, Dončić's 2018-19 Autographed Panini National Treasures rookie card sold for $4.6 million in February 2021 to make it the most expensive basketball card ever sold, but by July of the same year it would be the third most expensive.
How rare are white sparkle prizm? ›White sparkles are some of the rarest cards from one of the most sought-after brands in the hobby. Unfortunately, they're also one of the riskiest rips for any collector. After all, these three-card packs often sell north of $500.
How can you tell if a Panini Prizm card is silver? ›One way to identify a silver prizm is to look on the back of the card for the bold, italicized “PRIZM” in all caps. Another way is to look for the “refractor” rainbow-like lighting on the front of the card.
How much is Red Ice Prizm worth? ›Sale Date | Title | ▲ ▼ Price |
---|---|---|
2022-12-29 | 2021 CADE CUNNINGHAM Panini Prizm Draft Picks #1 Rookie Red Cracked Ice RC HOLO [eBay] | $4.99 |
2022-12-27 | 2021-22 Panini Prizm Draft Picks Cade Cunningham Red Ice Prizm Rookie RC #1 [eBay] | $3.54 |
Autos/Inserts Breakdown
As you can see, Select technically takes the cake for most “hits” in a hobby box. But as we all know, not all hits are created equal; Prizm's inserts are generally more valuable than Select's. Plus, Prizm gives you an extra auto.
What are the best Panini NBA packs to buy? ›
Some of the most popular sets of NBA cards from Panini include National Treasures, Prizm, Donruss Optic, and Select. With all of those options, there's a Panini card for every collector. If you're building a collection that will impress people in and out of the hobby, National Treasures cards are the way to go.
Are Lebron James cards a good investment? ›Best Lebron James Rookie Cards
From the ultra-rare 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection to the 2003 Topps Chrome, these rookie cards are sure to be an impressive addition to any collection. With the right care, these cards can appreciate in value over time, making them an excellent investment.
Panini presents the 2022-23 NBA Prizm mega box! Each box contains 6 packs with 10 cards per pack! Each box may contain 14 mega box exclusive Red Ice Prizms! Each box may contain 4 Silver Prizms.
What panini product has Kabooms? ›2020 Panini Absolute set (1st year kaboom football cards) 2021 Panini Donruss Road to Qatar set (soccer) 2021 Panini Absolute set (football, 1st year kaboom baseball cards) 2021 Crown Royale set (basketball)
What is in a Prizm Mega box? ›Panini presents the 2021-22 NBA Prizm mega box! This box includes 6 packs per box with 10 cards per pack! Each box may include 14 mega box exclusive Red Ice Prizms! Each box may also contain 4 Silver Prizms!
Is Oakley Prizm better than polarized? ›Whereas polarized lenses block glare from reflected light, Prizm lenses amplify what you're seeing. That being said, most polarized and all Prizm lenses offer 100% UV protection from the sun's rays, keeping your eyes safe from strain and burn while out of doors.
What is the difference between prizm and prizm dark? ›Differences Between PRIZM Golf and PRIZM Dark Golf:
PRIZM Golf is ideal for low to medium light with a VLT of 30% and has a lighter tint. PRIZM Dark Golf will excel in bright and sunny conditions and has a darker tint with VLT 22%
The use of lenses technology PRIZM polarized lenses are the best for driving because the polarized filter will reduce glare bouncing off car bumpers and windshields, making driving easier. Prizm lenses from Oakley are an excellent choice for a line of goggles intended for snow skiing and snowboarding.
What is the hardest Panini sticker to get? ›The hardest sticker to find is that of Argentina's ace player Lionel Messi, who will reportedly be playing his last World Cup at the Qatar games. Marc R Stanley, the US ambassador to Argentina, posted an ecstatic Twitter video of himself opening up his sticker packages. “Oh holy crap, I got Messi, I can't believe it.
How rare is a Purple card Panini? ›USA PARALLELS: Gold (Online only), Blue (1:2), Red (1:26), Purple (1:205), Green (1:1,445), Black 1/1. Parallels only apply to non-foil cards.
What is the rarest card sold? ›
The current record price is the US$12.6 million paid for a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card (Topps; #311) on August 28, 2022, breaking all previous records.
How many gold wave prizms are there? ›Each Box contains 12 Prizms!
On average, each Prizm Asia box delivers 12 Prizms!
Suggested Price | Your Price |
---|---|
$19.95 | $10.95 |
2021-22 Prizm Basketball Trading Card Mega Box (60 Cards/Box 14 Red Ice Prizms)
What are the different tiers of Panini cards? ›The different levels of Select football cards include Concourse, Premier Level, Club Level, and Field Level. Just like the seating at a football game, the “concourse” is most common or least desirable, and “field level” is going to be rare and more desirable.
How can you tell if a card is a SuperFractor? ›The rarest refractor variant is called the "SuperFractor". It is a card that has a production run of just 1 and is serial numbered 1/1 (or sometimes "01/01," "001/001," or "One-of-One"). The backgrounds of SuperFractors have a gold spiral design, usually.
Does Target sell Prizm? ›2021-22 Panini Nba Prizm Basketball Trading Card Blaster Box : Target.
How many snakeskin prizm are there? ›Silver Prizms (four per hobby box) Snakeskin (one per hobby case) Orange Prizms – /249.
How many cards in a prizm mega box? ›This factory sealed Prizm football mega box contains 10 packs, 4 cards per pack, 40 cards total. Look for 1 Memorabilia Card per Box, on Average.
What is the best trading card brand? ›The most valuable brand of baseball card can vary depending on the specific card, however, Topps is generally the most constantly valuable baseball card brand. Topps is considered the leader of the industry, and rookie cards produced by Topps are often very highly sought after.
Do panini boxes sell out fast? ›
Most series sell out within minutes as some collectors feel the price at the “ceiling” is the “true value” for the boxes.
What are the best LeBron James cards to collect? ›- 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Rookie Parallel Card #78. ...
- 2003 Ultimate Collection Ultimate Logos Signature Lebron James #LJ-L (1/1) ...
- 2004 Ultimate Collection Signature Logos 1/1 Lebron James #USLLJ. ...
- 2012-13 Panini Prizm Gold #1 LeBron James Rookie Card.
The most valuable Card of LeBron James is currently 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Parallel #78 LeBron James /23 BGS 8.5 by Upper Deck Exquisite Collection from 2003 with a worth of approx. $2100000.0.
What sports cards will be worth money in the future? ›If you're looking for a long-term investment, you're going to want to go for the classic cards. Like blue-chip stocks, 'blue-chip' sports cards are well-established and have already shown to hold value over longer periods—your mint-condition Mickey Mantles and Babe Ruths.
Is prizm a refractor? ›The best options for Refractor rookie collectors include Finest, Topps Chrome, Bowman Chrome, and Panini Prizm.
How many prizm boxes in a case? ›Last one available!
What is in a playbook mega box? ›Panini presents the 2022 NFL Playbook mega box! Each box contains 5 packs with 4 cards per pack. Each box may contain 1 Autograph or Memorabilia card! Each box may contain 2 retail exclusive Purple Parallels!
Can you pull Kabooms out of fat packs? ›Can you get KABOOMS in FAT PACKS, Andrew asks? YES, YES you can (and he DID!)...
How rare are the Kaboom cards? ›Panini is not lying when they say Kaboom cards are rare. When you buy or pull one, you are guaranteed to have a card with under a 100 pop and, in some cases, well below 50.
Are there fake Panini cards? ›A small QR code was to be added to the back of cards. Collectors could then scan those codes and find the image of the card as it comes off the line from Panini. If the card did not match the image, it's a fake patch card.
What is the difference between a hobby box and a mega box? ›
They also tend to promise more autographs than a hobby box. Mega boxes are retail-exclusive products that typically (but not always) contain more cards than a blaster box. However, mega boxes almost always contain exclusive cards, such as parallels that can not be found in any other box type.
How much is an optic mega box? ›Suggested Price | $129.95 |
---|---|
Your Price | $109.95 |
Best of the Best: Prizm
A favorite in the hearts and collections of many, Prizm can be thought of as the best of the Panini card brands. Thus, it's also typically the most valuable, and yes highly sought after.
Attaching monetary value to a draft pick: A first-round pick is worth between $20 million and $40 million, and a second-round pick is worth between $15 million and $20 million.
How valuable are draft picks NBA? ›Pick | Value | Normalized |
---|---|---|
1 | 4000 | 100.00 |
2 | 3100 | 77.50 |
3 | 2670 | 66.75 |
4 | 2410 | 60.25 |
2020 Panini Absolute set (1st year kaboom football cards) 2021 Panini Donruss Road to Qatar set (soccer) 2021 Panini Absolute set (football, 1st year kaboom baseball cards) 2021 Crown Royale set (basketball)
How many limited edition Panini cards are there? ›All limited edition cards are blindwrapped and include 1 of 36 cards.
How much is a 7th round draft pick? ›The numbers might move a little, but this gives us a good idea of how much each pick will make each year of their rookie deal. The first pick of the seventh round will sign a contract worth approximately $3.963 million and receive a signing bonus of approximately $123,384.
How much is a 2nd round pick worth? ›The second pick of the round will receive a $9.8 million contract with a $4.15 million signing bonus. The numbers decrease each pick until the 32nd pick where the player will receive a $6.17 million contract with a $1.49 million signing bonus.
How much does a 6th round draft pick get? ›The numbers might move a little, but this provides a solid framework to work from for determining how much each pick will make from 2023 through 2026. The first pick of the sixth round will sign a contract worth approximately $4.070 million and receive a signing bonus of approximately $229,940.
Are NBA cards worth collecting? ›
From Scottie Barnes's 2021-22 Rookie Autographed Cards selling for upwards of $7,000 to Cade Cunningham's 2021-22 Rookie Card going for more than $10,000 in 2022, it's safe to say that basketball cards are some of the most valuable trading cards currently available.
How valuable are first round picks in NBA? ›1st pick - 59% | 8th pick - 6% |
---|---|
2nd pick - 26% | 9th pick - 18% |
3rd pick - 38% | 10th pick - 15% |
4th pick - 24% | 11th pick - 12% |
5th pick - 32% | 12th pick - 3% |
First pick: Paolo Banchero, $9,089,300. Second pick: Chet Holmgren, $8,132,400. Third pick: Jabari Smith, $7,303,100. Fourth pick: Keegan Murray, $6,584,400.
Do Panini boxes sell out fast? ›Most series sell out within minutes as some collectors feel the price at the “ceiling” is the “true value” for the boxes.
Which NBA card packs should I buy? ›- Chronicles. Panini Chronicles is a great option for collectors who enjoy the ripping packs and collecting element of the basketball card hobby. ...
- Hoops. Another entry-level basketball card brand is Panini Hoops. ...
- Prizm. ...
- Donruss Optic.