Topps Acquires LeBron James’ Sixers Debut Shooting Sleeve for 1-of-1 Autographed Card
Topps has acquired the shooting sleeve LeBron James wore during his Philadelphia 76ers debut and plans to use it in a one-of-one autographed trading card that will be randomly awarded to a collector who orders his newest Topps NOW card. The chase is attached to LeBron James’ 2026-27 NBA Topps NOW Card #1, which is now on sale for $11.99. One collector who purchases the base version of the card will receive the one-of-one autograph-relic redemption with their order.
That makes the card more than a traditional autograph chase. The eventual 1-of-1 will include memorabilia taken directly from James’ first game with Philadelphia, tying the card to a specific moment from the beginning of his 24th NBA season. The LeBron James 2026-27 NBA Topps NOW Card #1 is available from now through October 23. Topps lists the release as an open-edition card, meaning the final print run will be determined by the number ordered before the sales window closes.
Topps specifically lists a “1/1 Autograph-Relic Redemption Card” among the possible hits. The regular parallel lineup also includes Gold Foil numbered to 50, Orange Foil to 25, Black Foil to 10, Red Foil to five and a one-of-one FoilFractor.
If demand pushes the print run high enough, additional Chrome parallels will be unlocked. A print run of at least 50,000 adds Chrome parallels numbered to 99 and 50, while 100,000 unlocks additional versions numbered to 25, 10 and five plus a one-of-one SuperFractor. At 250,000 copies, Opal Chrome parallels become available, and a print run above 500,000 would unlock a one-of-one White OpalFractor.
That highest tier was reached just days ago by Lionel Messi. As CollectiblesNews.com reported, collectors purchased 664,325 copies of Messi’s Argentina Final Farewell Topps NOW card, making it the best-selling Topps NOW release of all time and unlocking the program’s first-ever one-of-one White OpalFractor. One collector who ordered the Messi base card will receive that unique autographed White OpalFractor.
Topps has increasingly used its NOW program to combine cards documenting recent events with memorabilia tied directly to those moments. In this case, the company moved quickly enough to acquire a piece of James’ uniform from his Philadelphia debut and turn it into the centerpiece of the card release.
The shooting sleeve chase also comes as Topps builds a broader collectibles story around James’ historic 24th season. The company previously announced that the special 24th-season jersey patches he wears throughout 2026-27 will be removed after games, with select patches eventually appearing in one-of-one trading cards.
The LeBron James 2026-27 NBA Topps NOW Card #1 costs $11.99 for a single card, with discounted pricing available for quantities of five, 10 and 20. Orders close October 23.