Cooper Flagg Has Signed An Exclusive Deal With Topps

The top basketball prospect in basketball has signed a deal with Topps and Fanatics

Jan 11, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Topps has made a major move by signing one of the most exciting college athletes of the past year, Cooper Flagg.

𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋: We’re excited to announce that we’ve signed an exclusive trading card, autograph & memorabilia deal with Cooper Flagg.

Welcome to the family, Cooper! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/W5PmsnvCAc

— Topps (@Topps) January 17, 2025

Why Are There College Cards In This Year's Bowman Draft?

In his first year at Duke, Flagg has taken the sport by storm and established himself as one of the most electrifying players in all of college basketball. Playing at Duke provides him with the high-level exposure necessary to potentially become a top-5 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

COOPER FLAGG MONSTER DUNK 😈

(via @DukeMBB) pic.twitter.com/lAHni3z8vB

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 11, 2025

Before Jac Caglianone was drafted this past year by the Kansas City Royals in the first round, he was also a Topps athlete. He made history as the first college baseball player to sign an NIL deal with Topps.

HISTORY. Jac Caglianone becomes the first college baseball player to sign an exclusive deal with Topps x Fantatics. This deal encompasses both trading cards and memorabilia. pic.twitter.com/eTPpAbrFX7

— Topps (@Topps) June 13, 2024

Jac Caglianone aka The Next Shohei Ohtani Is Getting His First Bowman Chrome Card

Flagg will be featured throughout the season in Topps Now cards, including special editions with patches and signatures. His first in-pack appearance is scheduled for the 2025 Bowman University Chrome set.

BREAKING NEWS! Topps signs sensational Duke freshman and top NBA prospect Cooper Flagg to an exclusive autograph and memorabilia deal! pic.twitter.com/oKVPQd5S52

— Cardhedger (@cardhedger) January 18, 2025

Topps has expanded its college strategy significantly since the introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals. In 2021, they launched their first Bowman Chrome University basketball product, which was unlicensed at the time. By 2022, they released the fully licensed version, featuring the debut Bowman cards of stars like Victor Wembanyama and Caitlin Clark.

Victor Wembanyama and Caitlin Clark Bowman card | Images Courtesy of cardboardconnection.com

Meanwhile, Panini has also shifted its NIL strategy by including current college players in its Draft products. Flagg would have been one of the marquee players in those sets, but unfortunately, he will not appear in Panini’s products. This is reminiscent of Arch Manning's absence from Topps products.

Quinn Ewers & Arch Manning's Sports Card Impact

College cards have not been viewed as cards that collectors want for a number of different reasons. NIL has now given collectors the opportunity to collect cards of college players while they are in college which has been the biggest shift in the category.