It's becoming increasingly common for the top basketball players entering the NBA to sign exclusive contracts with either Topps or Upper Deck, the two basketball card manufacturers, before they ever appear on cardboard. The deals usually make the company the sole provider of autographed cards and memorabilia cards, thus ensuring that it has the player's most highly coveted rookie cards.
So far the 2007-08 hasn't had as many signings as in recent years, but with names like Greg Oden and Kevin Durant about to hit the hobby, collectors are hanging on the announcements. Check back for updates to this article to find out where to find the rookies on your want list.
Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah, Mike Conley Jr., Jeff Green and Julian Wright
Upper Deck added quite a bit of star power to its stable when it announced the signing of former Florida teammates Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Joakim Noah - all top-10 picks in the 2007 NBA Draft - along with fellow lottery picks Mike Conley Jr., Jeff Green and Julian Wright. All six players will sign autographs only for Upper Deck products in 2007-08.
The newcomers will make their first appearance on Upper Deck basketball cards in Fleer Ultra SE, due in stores in early September.
Brandan Wright
On June 20, Topps unveiled its second exclusive of the 2007-08 season by announcing the signing of former North Carolina forward Brandan Wright to a multi-year spokesperson deal.
"It is an honor to be associated with such a prominent sports company," Wright said in a company press release. "My younger brothers and I loved to open up packs of Topps trading cards when we were growing up, and now I am representing their products. It's very exciting."
Wright played just one season at UNC, helping to spark a run to the Elite Eight by scoring 14.7 points per game. Topps' deal with the eighth overall draft choice gives it exclusive rights to use Wright on autographed cards, memorabilia cards and product packaging.
Greg Oden
Topps announced that it has signed Greg Oden to a multi-year contract granting the company exclusive rights to use him on autographed cards, memorabilia cards and product packaging.
Oden was one of the most heralded high school big men in recent history, leading to speculation that he would have been the first overall pick in the NBA Draft in 2006 had he been old enough to declare. Instead, he helped lead Ohio State to the national championship game in his one and only college season despite playing much of the year with an injured wrist. As expected, the Portland Trail Blazers took Oden at the top of the 2007 NBA Draft, and he'll man the middle on a young team that looks like it could quickly become dangerous.
This Topps press release has comments from Oden himself.
Kevin Durant
Upper Deck announced that Kevin Durant has agreed to a multi-year deal that gives the trading card company exclusive rights to his autograph for use on basketball cards and other memorabilia. He will also be featured on packaging and marketing materials throughout the company's 2007-08 basketball product line and receive his own line of limited edition collectibles from Upper Deck Authenticated.
Earlier this year, Durant became the first freshman ever to win the Naismith Award as college basketball's Division I Player of the Year after he torched opponents for 11 30-point games. That made him an easy choice as the number two overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics.
Collectors can expect Durant's first Upper Deck rookie cards in First Edition and Fleer Ultra SE Basketball, with his first autographed card appearing in SP Game Used Basketball. This company press release has more, including quotes from Durant and further details on the company's plans.