The Essential Cards of 2012 Panini Prizm Basketball

2012 was an important year in the basketball Hobby, with the debut of Panini Prizm. It was a perfect storm of a leap forward in design to go along with some newly-introduced scarcity (Gold Prizm cards numbered to 10, for example) and a loaded checklist. Rookie cards include Anthony Davis, Damien Lillard, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson and more. Prizm cards have gone on to retain a great importance in the hardwood Hobby, and it all started in 2012. As recently as April 27 of this year, a sealed Hobby Box of the set sold for almost $4,500. Let's look at some of the essential cards from this iconic set.

#1 LeBron James

King James leads off the set with the most valuable card of the bunch. While the set included a great list of rookies, the superstars and legends were also making their Prizm debut, which itself drove interest - and continues to do so. On top of that, the Gold Prizm cards, numbered to 10, created plenty of buzz. This card sold at auction for $571,200 in 2021. While commanding less than some early James cards, it is perhaps the most valuable from his time with Miami.

#24 Kobe Bryant

Kobe's Prizm debut also made waves, and his Gold Prizm remains one of his most sought-after cards. It sold for over $150,000 at auction in 2022. Only 4 such cards have been graded as PSA 10. Kobe also has the #1 card from the Prizm Autographed Card 100-card checklist, one of which sold in February 2025 for over $20,000.

#4 Kyrie Irving Prizm Autographs

2012/13 Panini Prizm Basketball #4 Autographs Prizm Kyrie Irving /25 | Goldin

The Prizm Auto cards, silver parallel, numbered to 25, were also a popular addition to this important set. Featuring a small run, along with a checklist that included Kyrie, Kobe, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, and more, this Irving rookie card is a fantastic addition to any basketball collection.

#236 Anthony Davis RC

2012/13 Panini Prizm Basketball Anthony Davis Gold Prizm /10 | Fanatics Collect

While Davis may not be the Hobby superstar he once was, it's hard to overestimate just how hyped he was as a rookie coming out of Kentucky. The top overall pick in 2012, he was seen as a generational talent, a franchise-altering player. The combination of Davis' rookie card year and the introduction of Prizm helps to make this one of the best of the Davis' RC's.

#72 Stephen Curry

2012/13 Panini Prizm Basketball Stephen Curry Gold /10 | Goldin

This PSA 9 version of Curry's Gold Prizm /10 sold in April 2023 for $114,000. Again, the debut of the Prizm set is a factor in the value of this card, but 2012/13 is also an important year for a player who would eventually redefine the sport itself. After struggling with injury through the early years of his career, 2012/13 saw the guard hit a then-career-high 22.9 PPG. The Splash Brother era with Klay Thompson (who's rookie card is also part of this set) began, as Curry set a new single-season three-point record, hitting 272 shots from distance. Curry's famous 54-point, 11 three-pointer night at Madison Square Garden came during this season as well, and is considered by many to be a hugely important moment in Curry's incredible career.