Here’s a list featuring some of the best Kaboom! cards based on values and popularity.
Panini’s Kaboom! inserts have quickly become one of the most desirable modern sets. Kaboom cards are usually released at a rate of one per case.
Instantly recognizable thanks to a unique design, it’s proof that you don’t always need an auto or a serial number.
Here’s a roundup with 10 of the best KABOOM cards to collect, in a range of different sports.
The Best KABOOM! Cards to Collect
A top player with the addition of an RC logo is what you’re likely to find on the most valuable Kaboom cards. Here are the products in which you have a chance of pulling Kabooms:
- Kaboom Basketball:
- 2013-14: Innovation
- 2014-15: Excalibur
- 2015-16: Excalibur
- 2016-17: Excalibur
- 2017-18: Panini Rewards Exclusive
- 2018-19: Crown Royale
- 2019-20: Crown Royale
- 2020-21: Crown Royale
2. Kaboom Football:
- 2018-2020: Absolute
3. Kaboom Soccer:
- 2017-18 Select
- 2018: Panini Rewards Exclusive
- 2019-20: Panini Prizm
- 2020-21: Panini Prizm
We’ve looked at recent sales data to bring you this list with 10 of the best KABOOM! cards to collect.
10. 2021-22 Panini Crown Royale KABOOM! Cade Cunningham RC #21 (eBay)
Cade Cunningham was the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, showing lots of promise during his debut season. You’ll find Cunningham’s Kaboom RC in lucky 2021-22 Panini Crown Royale boxes. As of October 2024, even a PSA 9 graded copy will set you back by at least $1,000.
9. 2020-21 Panini Crown Royale KABOOM! Anthony Edwards RC #21 (eBay)
Anthony Edwards was selected with the first overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2020 Draft. A two-time All-Star, he also won a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics.
Edwards’ Kaboom RC is found in 2021-22 Panini Crown Royale, and it’s an expensive release. PSA 10 copies are starting to reach the $10,000+ point as of October 2024.
8. 2018 Panini KABOOM! Giannis Antetokounmpo #GA (eBay)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is an NBA champion and a multiple MVP winner, who led the Bucks to their first NBA championship since 1971. The 2018 Panini Kaboom Rewards checklist features 50 stars taken from a handful of key sports, with Giannis being one of the NBA contingent. Even if it isn’t an RC, PSA 10 graded copies are still selling for more than $1,000.
7. 2020 Panini Absolute KABOOM! Joe Burrow RC #KJB2 (eBay)
Joe Burrow broke multiple college records en-route to the NFL, and didn’t stop there. As a consequence, he has always been popular with football card collectors. The best Kaboom! cards have been included in Panini Absolute since 2018. PSA 9 copies of this Burrow RC currently sell for over $2,000.
6. 2018 Panini KABOOM! Josh Allen RC #JA (eBay)
Josh Allen is one of 50 athletes who made the grade for the 2018 Panini KABOOM! multi-sport collection. Debut parallels include Gold (#/10) and Green (1/1), significantly upping the price tag compared to base cards. In terms of prices, PSA 9 copies are selling for over $2,000.
5. 2018-19 Panini Crown Royale KABOOM! Luka Doncic RC #23 (eBay)
Luka Doncic is another popular NBA star, with a slick card found in 2018-19 Panini Crown Royale. His accolades are endless, while prices are high. For example, a BGS 9 grade sold for a flat $7,100 following an eBay auction in July 2018. There’s also a 2022-23 Doncic Kaboom release which works out to be a cheaper alternative.
4. 2020 Panini Absolute KABOOM! Justin Herbert RC #KJH2 (eBay)
2020 Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert is next up. He has a duo of Kaboom! RCs to chase in the 2020 Panini Absolute collection. There are also Gold (#/10) and Green (1/1) parallels. A PSA 10 copy of the card seen above sold for an impressive $5,533 at auction in July 2024. As always, collectors are willing to pay a premium for any card with an RC logo attached.
3. 2021 Panini Absolute KABOOM! Justin Herbert RC #26 (eBay)
2021 Panini Absolute is where you’ll find another Herbert Kaboom! card which servers as a cheaper alternative to the RC seen above. You can pick up a PSA 10 copy of the case hit for roughly $1,000 at the time of writing.
2. 2013-14 Panini Innovation KABOOM! LeBron James #18 (eBay)
LeBron James is a name that anyone with a passing interest in basketball is likely to recognize. 2013-14 Panini Innovation Basketball is where you’ll find the first ever Kaboom cards produced by Panini. Put them together and you get one of the most valuable Kaboom cards to make the list.
For example, expect to pay at roughly $6,000 for a PSA 9 graded copy.
1. 2019 Panini Absolute KABOOM! Patrick Mahomes #2 (eBay)
Quaterback Patrick Mahomes is the final athlete to make the list, with another card in the five-figure range. Mahomes’ first Kaboom card is found in 2019 Panini Absolute. In terms of prices, an ungraded copy of the case hit sold for $2,850 in July 2024. Expect to pay significantly more for graded copies, or numbered Gold/Green parallels.
The Best KABOOM! Cards: Buyers Guide
Is it worth buying the best Kaboom cards? I’ve put together the following guide.
Unless it’s an unpopular athlete, it’s going to be tough to locate cheap Kaboom cards. Almost everyone knows how valuable they are, and they attract multiple bids at auction. You should still be able to locate the most affordable options for less than $100 from time to time.
It’ll depend on which sport you prefer, as well as the player in question. RCs are always going to be a good investment, although the majority of the best Kaboom! cards will set you back by at least four figures. I think that any of the cards mentioned above are likely to hold value long-term.
Final Thoughts
Kaboom! cards are still relatively new in the grand scheme of things, but they’re undeniably one of the more popular collections from the modern era. It’s a truly unique design, capped by being one of the rarest inserts you’re likely to find in Panini sets. They stand out instantly, and prices have shown no sign of slowing down in recent months.
If you do manage to snag one of the case hits, we’d advise to send it off for grading straight away. However, it would probably be cheaper to buy a Kaboom card outright, given they’re almost impossible to pack.
In terms of other sports, the Cristiano Ronaldo Kaboom is another popular option if you like soccer cards. It’s a popular insert no matter the player or sport, especially if it’s a PSA 10 Gem Mint graded version.
Some card collectors prefer autograph cards, but it appears that the comic-book inspired design will lead to continued high average sales, even for base versions. Unknown print runs don’t appear to be an issue, and we could see record sales in the future.
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