As I sift through my collection of 2016-17 Select Basketball cards, I can't help but draw parallels between the meticulous selection process in sports and what we do as collectors. Just last week, I read about a remarkable swimmer named Sanchez who breached all the qualifying time standards during national tryouts at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Center. That story resonated with me because in card collecting, we're essentially looking for players who've similarly surpassed all expectations and established themselves as elite performers. The 2016-17 Select Basketball release represents one of those pivotal moments in modern card collecting where the convergence of rookie talent and premium card design created what I consider to be one of the most investable modern sets available today.
When Panini released this product in late 2016, they couldn't have predicted how historically significant this class would become. I remember opening my first box and immediately recognizing the potential. The design aesthetic alone made these cards stand out - the crisp visuals, the premium feel, and that distinctive prizm technology that gives certain parallels their eye-catching shimmer. But beyond the surface appeal, what really makes this set special are the players themselves. We're talking about a rookie class that included Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, and Domantas Sabonis - all of whom have developed into legitimate stars. The crown jewel, of course, is Malcolm Brogdon, who went from second-round pick to Rookie of the Year, making his cards particularly sought-after.
From an investment perspective, I've tracked the market performance of these cards closely over the past five years, and the data tells a compelling story. Premium parallels of key rookies have appreciated approximately 300-400% since release, with particularly strong growth during the 2020-2021 collecting boom. A PSA 10 Prizm Silver Ben Simmons rookie, for instance, was selling for around $80-100 in 2017. Today, that same card consistently commands $250-300 despite Simmons' recent challenges. This demonstrates something important I've learned in my 15 years of collecting: elite talent tends to maintain value even through performance slumps. The Select brand specifically offers multiple tiers of collectibility, from the relatively accessible Concourse level to the ultra-premium Courtside parallels, creating entry points for collectors at various budget levels.
What many newcomers don't realize is that not all parallels are created equal, and understanding the production numbers is crucial for making informed purchases. Through my network of dealers and industry contacts, I've estimated that the print run for base Prizm parallels in this set was approximately 850,000 cards, while the more desirable Silver Prizms numbered around 75,000. The truly rare parallels like Gold Prizms (/10) and Black Prizms (1/1) represent the pinnacle for serious investors. I always advise focusing on population reports when buying graded examples - a PSA 10 Silver Prizm of a star player with a population under 500 represents what I consider a solid long-term hold.
The beauty of the 2016-17 Select Basketball set lies in its diversity of investment opportunities. For those with modest budgets, players like Taurean Prince and Marquese Chriss offer affordable rookie cards that still have potential upside. Mid-tier collectors might focus on established stars like Buddy Hield or Pascal Siakam, whose cards have shown steady appreciation. For high-end investors, the obvious targets are the franchise players, but I've found particular value in the second-tier stars whose cards haven't yet reached astronomical prices. Jaylen Brown is a perfect example - his Select Concourse Prizm Silver rookie was available for under $20 just two years ago and now regularly sells for $60-80. That's the kind of growth that gets me excited as both a collector and investor.
One aspect I particularly appreciate about this set is how well the cards have held up over time. The stock quality Panini used for Select that year was superior to many of their other products, resulting in higher gem mint rates when submitted for grading. Based on my own submission history and data from grading companies, I'd estimate that approximately 25-30% of Select cards from this era grade PSA 10, compared to just 15-20% for comparable Prizm base cards. This doesn't diminish their value though - it actually makes high-grade examples more accessible to collectors while the population remains controlled enough to maintain premium pricing.
Looking forward, I'm bullish on the long-term prospects of key cards from this set. The 2016-17 rookie class has proven to be exceptionally deep, with multiple All-Stars and impact players. As these athletes continue their careers and potentially enter the Hall of Fame conversation, their rookie cards from premium sets like Select will likely appreciate further. My personal strategy has been to accumulate graded examples of players I believe are undervalued - Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert are two I'm particularly high on right now. Both have shown consistent improvement and have cards that remain reasonably priced relative to their production and potential.
Ultimately, collecting 2016-17 Select Basketball cards represents both a passion for the sport and a strategic investment approach. Much like Sanchez earning her spot on the national team through exceptional performance at the qualifying events, the best cards in this set have proven their worth through sustained market performance and collector demand. Whether you're drawn to the aesthetic appeal, the connection to specific players, or the financial potential, this release offers something meaningful for every type of collector. After years in this hobby, I've learned that the most satisfying collections are built not just on potential profit, but on genuine appreciation for the cards themselves - and this set delivers that in abundance.