Color Blast cards are some of the more interesting recent releases, with a unique background set against an image of the athlete doing what they do best.
The super short print Prizm insert has been included in NBA Spectra sets since 2019-20.
Here’s a roundup with five of the best NBA Color Blast cards on the market right now, as well as buying/selling advice if you’re interested from an investment perspective.
The Best NBA Color Blast Cards
NBA Color Blast inserts are only found in Spectra Basketball, and contain a crisp white background set against vivid colours.
6. 2020-21 Panini Spectra Color Blast Anthony Edwards RC #23 (eBay)
2020 1st overall pick Anthony Edwards was a smart choice to be included as one of 25 players given the Color Blast treatment in 2020-21 Panini Spectra Basketball sets.
As you may have guessed, it’s quickly becoming one of his most sought after RCs, and commands a higher price than many of his autos and patches.
Edwards is rated highly, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2021.
5. 2019-20 Panini Spectra Color Blast Trae Young #8 (eBay)
Trae Young is the next player to make the list, in the first ever NBA Color Blast set from 2019. It’s not the most expensive option to make the list, but will sell for at least four figures.
Young is another player with an interesting future in the NBA, having recently agreed to a five-year max extension with the Atlanta Hawks worth up to $207 million.
Once again, it’s worth taking a second to appreciate just how good this Prizm set looks.
4. 2019-20 Panini Spectra Color Blast Giannis Antetokounmpo #4 (eBay)
The Spectra subset highlights just 25 of the best NBA players, so they had to include Giannis Antetokounmpo in the conversation.
‘The Greek Freak’ is now an NBA champion, having helped lead the Bucks to their first championship since 1971 as he was named Finals MVP. One slight drawback is that it’s not an RC, but that hasn’t stopped the average collector.
3. 2019-20 Panini Spectra Color Blast Zion Williamson RC #3 (eBay)
On the subject of Color Blast RCs, the 2019-20 Panini Spectra set contains a Zion Williamson rookie which sells for major money. (The same is true for any rare Zion RC, but there’s a clear tax for this rare option.)
Another player with the hopes of a franchise resting upon his shoulders, Williamson has lived up to the hype so far. He also has a Color Blast card in 2020-21 Spectra sets, with a red jersey instead of the white seen above.
2. 2019-20 Panini Spectra Color Blast Stephen Curry #12 (eBay)
Steph Curry is one of the best of all-time, and has to be the greatest shooter in NBA history. His inclusion in the 2019-20 Spectra set makes perfect sense, in an action shot as he makes a pass for the Golden State Warriors.
It’s more expensive than his 2009 RC, which goes to show how popular the Insert set is with collectors.
1. 2020-21 Panini Spectra Color Blast LaMelo Ball #21 (eBay)
Was it ever going to be anyone else? LaMelo Ball was named the NBA’s 2020-21 Rookie of the Year, following one of the greatest statistical seasons by a 19-year-old in NBA history.
His 2020-21 Spectra Color Blast RC is the perfect storm when it comes to perceived value. There’s the quality of the player, and the popularity of the set itself. It’s an RC, and it’s exceptionally scarce. Expect it to sell for as much as a second-hand Tesla.
NBA Color Blast Cards: Buyers Guide
NBA Color Blast cards are some of the most popular on the market right now. We don’t have exact figures, although you can check out box breaks to see how rare they are. (Expect to find a Color Blast card at a rate of one for every 1-3 boxes opened.)
There aren’t many cheap NBA Color Blast cards, but the 2019-20 Spectra Eric Paschall RC is more affordable in comparison. Paschall made the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020.
As for more valuable options, this is a tough one. You have the likes of Curry, who is a guaranteed HoFer. Then there’s Zion and LaMelo, who are threatening to take over the NBA in the long-term. It depends on how much risk you’re willing to take on. (The younger the player, the riskier the investment strategy.)
However, the majority of cards that made the list should still hold value if interest in the set continues over the next decade or so.
NBA Color Blast Cards: Buying/Selling Advice
Imagine you’ve just ripped a Spectra pack, and find a LaMelo Color Blast RC staring back at you. It’s going to be tempting to sell straight away, but there’s the potential for eye-watering returns in the future. On the other hand, profit is profit, and it’s difficult to judge the state of the market in the future.
After all, a couple of bad injuries can curtail even the greatest of talents, which is why we tend to prefer established pros when spending big money. Tastes also change, but it’s hard to see myself looking back in a decade and wondering what all of the fuss was about.
In fact, I think these inserts could end up being as popular as PMG cards – especially as they appear to be rarer.
They’re some of the best options found in Panini NBA hobby boxes, and can also be found in 22-23 hobby products.
There are also Prizm football versions, along with CB cards found in Prizm EPL soccer boxes. For now, it’s hard to think of many bigger names than the likes of Anthony Edwards.
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