5/16/23

WITH THE FIRST PICK IN THE 2023 NBA DRAFT, THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS SELECT VICTOR WEMBANYAMA

 Victor Wembanyama is now set to begin his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs, after they won the NBA draft lottery and the No. 1 overall pick on Tuesday night.  The 7-foot-3 French 19-year-old is one of the most highly touted prospects in NBA history and will be expected to make an immediate impact on the league.

And he had a message for San Antonio.

“I’m trying to win a ring ASAP,” Wembanyama told ESPN after the lottery results. “So be ready.”

It’s the third time the Spurs have won the lottery, and on both previous occasions they made picks that paid off for decades. They chose David Robinson in 1987, Tim Duncan in 1997, and those selections were a major part of how the Spurs became a team that won five NBA titles under coach Gregg Popovich.

“Our future was already bright,” Spurs managing partner Peter J. Holt said. “Now, it’s going to be through the moon.”

Popovich and the Spurs have had incredible success with international players in the past — most notably, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, who owns the French team that Wembanyama played for last season.

“He’s an incredible young man,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN as part of its draft lottery broadcast. “He clearly appears to be a generational talent.”

Wembanyama finished his regular season with Boulogne-Levallois of France’s top pro league earlier Tuesday, his 22-point effort good enough for him to clinch the league’s scoring title. It was shortly past 2 a.m. Wednesday in Paris when the lottery results were revealed, and Wembanyama was gathered with family and friends for a celebration.

“Can’t really describe it,” Wembanyama said in his interview with ESPN, adding “it’s a really special moment.”

Wembanyama is wrapping up his third professional season in France and has been the consensus top pick for months. He has the height of a center, the shooting touch of a wing and the passing ability of a point guard.

He wasn’t at the lottery because of his game schedule in France. But many of the other top prospects — Scoot Henderson of the G League Ignite, Brandon Miller of Alabama, twin brothers Amen and Ausar Thompson of the Overtime Elite program — were in the room to watch the lottery results get unveiled and get a little better idea of where they may be heading to start their NBA careers.

2022-23 BOWMAN INCEPTION ARRIVES FRIDAY, MAY 19th WITH VICTOR WEMBANYAMA, BRYCE YOUNG, C. J. STROUD, WILL ANDERSON and CAITLIN CLARK AUTOGRAPHED ROOKIE CARDS

The 2022-23 Bowman Inception University checklist brings together college prospects from both basketball and football. Like other Inception releases dating back more than a decade, there’s a big focus on autographs. Outside of the base set, all other cards have signatures.

Consisting of 100 cards, the base set isn’t a huge one. When you take into account that it covers multiple sports, the concentration of key names is even more apparent. This is a product that is licensed so players are in uniforms and school logos are used.

Over a dozen parallels are available, all of which are numbered to 99 or less. That said, many of these use the same color for two different versions, likely changing up a pattern on the front as well.

The largest part of the 2022-23 Bowman Inception University checklist is the Base Autographs. At 190 cards, it’s almost double the size of the base set.

Other signature themes include Bowman U Top of the Class Autographs (/100), Primordial Prospects Autographs (/99), Short Print Inception Autographs (/10), and Class of 2023 Die-Cut Autographs (1/1).

Swatches are added to the mix in Inception Autograph Dual Relics (/99), Inception Autograph Jumbo Relics and Inception Autograph Nameplates.

2022-23 Bowman Inception University is the first product to have Victor Wembanyama autographs. Iowa standout Caitlin Clark also has autographs in the product.

5/7/23

SPORTS CARDS PLUS, WINNER OF SPORTS COLLECTOR'S DIGEST MIKEY AWARD FOR CARD SHOP OF THE YEAR, SAYS THANKS TO OUR MANY CUSTOMERS

 



In an effort to say thanks to our many customers in the San Antonio area, Texas, the United States and The Entire World, we vow to continue to improve your collecting experience at Sports Cards Plus.  We will provide you with all your favorite products at LOW, Low, low prices and provide you a rewarding experience when you choose to open your purchases in our store.

Our goal is to ensure you agree "You Get More For Your Money at Sports Cards Plus." Throughout 2023, you will find MORE CASH PRIZES, MORE FREE GIVEAWAYS, and MORE SMILES on your faces when you shop at Sports Cards Plus.

Because of you, our many customers, Sports Cards Plus is now in our 31st successful year of providing a family-friendly collecting/shopping experience.  Recently we were honored by Sports Collector's Digest Mikey Awards, named "Card Shop Of The Year" for 2022.  And we will continue to improve in 2023.

As most of you know, we are a family business.  I am joined by my son and adult grandchildren, dedicated to share our sports collecting knowledge with everyone who enters our store.  We want you to be happy with your purchases, so we take the time to help you navigate the complexities of the sports collecting world.

Over the last 31 years, I have done my best to represent you, the collecting community at Manufacturer's Conferences/Summits/Meetings.  I am on good terms with all the manufacturers and several distributors, and have their ear when discussing my customer's issues and wants.

Here is a short list of Sports Cards Plus efforts

--- First Card Shop to host Beckett Raw Card Review in 2010

--- First Card Shop to be named Card Shop of The Month by Beckett

--- First Card Shop to be named Card Shop of The Month by Upper Deck

--- Speaker at several "Sports Card Industry Summits," and "Topps Conferences"

--- Winner of the 2015 Panini NBA $75,000 Hobby Shop Makeover for selling the most NBA packs in the entire United States.

--- Gave customers $12,940.00 store credit in the 2022 Topps Chrome MVP Buyback Program.

--- Home Away From Home for Spurs Nation France.

--- Winner of Sports Collector's Digest Mikey Award for 2022 Card Shop of The Year.



Card Shop Of The Year – Sports Cards Plus in San Antonio 

I have had the pleasure of knowing SCP’s owner Charlie DiPietro for close to two decades.  He is a great family man who does a ton for his collectors.  His card shop was previously recognized by winning a NBA Hobby Shop Makeover promotion.  I had the pleasure of visiting Charlie’s shop before it won this opportunity and it looked great even before the $75,000 improvement prize and appearance by San Antonio’s own David Robinson.

I’m giving Charlie and his staff this recognition, because of being broken in more times than any other shop owner I know of, he continues to make taking care of his collectors his focus.  This year I’ve taken delight in seeing many criminals who have broken into shops finding justice for their acts.  I just hope eventually I get the same joy I seeing those who torment Charlie also get their day in court. 

I’ve seen numerous promotions with on the spot cash prizes for pulling chase cards from participating products.  He recently gave away $2500 to his collectors as part of a New Year’s promotion and his December prizes alone topped $5,000.  It’s great to see shops go out of their way to reward their collectors and he’s seemingly always doing so.

Take a peek at the SCP Facebook page and you can see how much of a priority he make his collectors.

4/23/23

2022 BOWMAN'S BEST UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL ARRIVES WEDNESDAY

 


2022 Bowman’s Best University Football is the follow up to the highly successful 2022 Bowman Chrome University Football. The product includes current collegiate players in their full uniforms with school logos.

Keeping in line with the Bowman’s Best brand, the designs takes a bolder approach compared to Chrome. This includes both the base set and the checklist’s many inserts.

Hobby Master boxes have a pair of six-pack mini boxes. Each Master box includes two autographs and a dozen parallels.

2022 Bowman’s Best University Football Overview

2022 Bowman's Best University Football Green Refractors JJ McCarthy
The 100-card base set includes active collegiate players. Done on chromium stock, the look is big and bright.

The many Refractors only add to that. The rainbow includes:

  • Refractors – 1 per pack
  • Shimmer Refractors – 1:12 packs
  • Mini-Diamond Refractors – /299
  • Purple Refractors – /250
  • Aqua Lava Refractors – /199
  • Blue Refractors – /150
  • Aqua Lava Refractors – /100
  • Green Refractors – /99
  • Green Mini-Diamond Refractors – /99
  • Gold Lava Refractors – /75
  • Gold Refractors – /50
  • Orange Refractors – /25
  • Red Refractors – /10
  • Red Lava Refractors – /5
  • Superfractors – 1/1

Autographs and Inserts

Most of the signatures on the 2022 Bowman’s Best University Football checklist are found in Best of 2022 Autographs. Parallels include:

  • Refractors
  • Blue Refractors – /150
  • Green Refractors – /99
  • Gold Lava Refractors – /75
  • Gold Refractors – /50
  • Shimmer Refractors – /25
  • Red Refractors – /10
  • Red Lava Refractors – /5
  • Printing Plates – 1/1
  • Superfractors – 1/1

Dual Chrome Autographs (/25) and Triple Chrome Autographs (/15) add some multi-signature content. Both of these also have Red Lava Refractors (/5) and Superfractors (1/1).

A half-dozen other insert sets are also on the 2022 Bowman’s Best University Football checklist.

2022 Bowman's Best University Football Gunslingers Caleb Williams
Gunslingers and Bandits use a die-cut design that’s inspired by the Old West. The idea behind these is to pair up the NCAA’s top quarterbacks with the best defenders. Landing 1:12 packs, there’s approximately one per hobby box.

Others include Campus Captains (1:3 packs), Fight Song (1:6 packs), Neon Neophytes (1:6 packs) and Bowman Masterpieces (1:18 packs). All of these have Shimmer Refractors, Lava Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25) and Superfractors (1/1).

Select cards for Bowman Masterpieces, Fight Song, Gunslingers and Bandits, and Neon Neophytes also have autograph versions numbered to 99. Shimmer Refractors (/25) and Superfractors (1/1) are also available. Gunslingers and Bandits, and Neon Neophytes Autographs also have Lava Refractors (/50).

Rounding out the inserts is Constellations of Greatness, which are extremely scarce. At 1:480 packs, they’re approximate 1:40 boxes or every fifth case. Superfractors (1/1) are the only standard parallels here. Autographs have 10 copies plus Superfractors (1/1).


 2022 Bowman’s Best University Football Autographs

Best of 2022 Autographs Checklist

75 cards.

Parallels:

  • Refractors
  • Blue Refractors – /150
  • Green Refractors – /99
  • Gold Lava Refractors – /75
  • Gold Refractors – /50
  • Shimmer Refractors – /25
  • Red Refractors – /10
  • Red Lava Refractors – /5
  • Printing Plates – 1/1 (each has Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow versions)
  • Superfractors – 1/1

BA-AA Andrel Anthony, The University of Oklahoma
BA-AD Akeem Dent, Florida State
BA-AO Aiden O’Connell, Purdue
BA-AR Anthony Richardson, Florida
BA-AS Austin Stogner, The University of Oklahoma
BA-BC Blake Corum, Michigan
BA-BK Brant Kuithe, Utah
BA-BN Bo Nix, Oregon
BA-BO BJ Ojulari, LSU
BA-BR Bijan Robinson, Texas
BA-CM Cade McNamara, Iowa
BA-CR Cam Rising, Utah
BA-CT Clayton Tune, Houston
BA-CW Caleb Williams, USC
BA-CWA Cameron Ward, Washington State University
BA-DF Dequan Finn, Toledo
BA-DJ Domani Jackson, USC
BA-DT Dallas Turner, Alabama
BA-DTR Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
BA-DU DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State
BA-ER Eli Ricks, Alabama
BA-EW EJ Williams, Indiana University
BA-GM Graham Mertz, Florida
BA-HH Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
BA-HT Henry To’o To’o, Alabama
BA-IA Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh
BA-IN Isaiah Neyor, Texas
BA-IR Isaac Rex, BYU
BA-JA Jordan Addison, USC
BA-JAA Jayson Ademilola, Notre Dame
BA-JB Jermaine Burton, Alabama
BA-JC Junior Colson, Michigan
BA-JD Josh Downs, UNC
BA-JE John Emery, LSU
BA-JF Julian Fleming, Ohio State
BA-JG Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
BA-JH Jaren Hall, BYU
BA-JL JC Latham, Alabama
BA-JR Jayden Reed, Michigan State
BA-JSA Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

BA-JT Jordan Travis, Florida State
BA-JUA Justin Ademilola, Notre Dame
BA-KAM Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
BA-KB Kayshon Boutte, LSU
BA-KJ KJ Jefferson, Arkansas
BA-KM Kenny McIntosh, Georgia
BA-LD Logan Diggs, Notre Dame
BA-MS Maason Smith, LSU
BA-MT Mitchell Tinsley, Penn State
BA-ND Nathaniel Dell, Houston
BA-NS Nolan Smith, Georgia
BA-NSI Nick Singleton, Penn State
BA-PJ Phil Jurkovec, Pittsburgh
BA-PT Payton Thorne, Michigan State
BA-RB Ronnie Bell, Michigan
BA-RD Re’Mahn Davis, Kentucky
BA-RH Ryan Hilinski, Northwestern
BA-RJ Rakim Jarrett, Maryland
BA-SB Stetson Bennett, Georgia
BA-SH Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
BA-TB Tyler Buchner, Notre Dame
BA-TG Tony Grimes, Texas A&M
BA-TH Traeshon Holden, Oregon
BA-TS Trenton Simpson, Clemson
BA-TT Tavion Thomas, Utah
BA-TZH Ta’Zhawn Henry, Houston
BA-WA Will Anderson, Alabama
BA-WL Will Levis, Kentucky
BA-WS Will Shipley, Clemson
BA-WW Winston Wright, Florida State
BA-XH Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
BA-XV Xazavian Valladay, Arizona State
BA-XW Xavier Worthy, Texas
BA-ZE Zach Evans, Ole Miss
BA-ZH Zach Harrison, Ohio State

Bowman Masterpieces Autographs Checklist

6 cards.

Parallels:

  • Shimmer Refractors – /25
  • Superfractors – 1/1

BM-1 Dillon Gabriel, The University of Oklahoma /99
BM-2 Bryce Young, Alabama /99
BM-3 Tyler Buchner, Notre Dame /99
BM-4 Caleb Williams, USC /99
BM-5 Jordan Addison, USC /99
BM-6 Bo Nix, Oregon /99

Constellations of Greatness Autographs Checklist

15 cards.

Parallels:

  • Superfractors – 1/1

COG-1 Bryce Young, Alabama /10
COG-2 CJ Stroud, Ohio State /10
COG-3 Will Anderson, Alabama /10
COG-4 Phil Jurkovec, Pittsburgh /10
COG-5 Caleb Williams, USC /10
COG-6 Will Levis, Kentucky /10
COG-7 Tyler Van Dyke, Miami /10
COG-8 Jordan Addison, USC /10
COG-9 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State /10
COG-10 Stetson Bennett, Georgia /10
COG-11 Bo Nix, Oregon /10
COG-12 Dillon Gabriel, The University of Oklahoma /10
COG-13 Anthony Richardson, Florida /10
COG-14 Jalen Carter, Georgia /10
COG-15 Kelee Ringo, Georgia /10

Dual Autographs Checklist

5 cards.

Parallels:

  • Red Lava Refractors – /5
  • Superfractors – 1/1

DA-GM Dillon Gabriel / Marvin Mims, The University of Oklahoma /25
DA-RB Stetson Bennett / Anthony Richardson, Georgia / Florida /25
DA-SS CJ Stroud / Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State /25
DA-WA Jordan Addison / Caleb Williams, USC /25
DA-YA Will Anderson / Bryce Young, Alabama /25

Fight Song Autographs Checklist

14 cards.

Parallels:

  • Shimmer Refractors – /25
  • Superfractors – 1/1

FS-1 Bryce Young, Alabama /99
FS-3 Stetson Bennett, Georgia /99
FS-4 Caleb Williams, USC /99
FS-5 Dillon Gabriel, The University of Oklahoma /99
FS-7 Anthony Richardson, Florida /99
FS-8 Jordan Travis, Florida State /99
FS-9 Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss /99
FS-10 Will Levis, Kentucky /99
FS-13 Jordan Addison, USC /99
FS-14 Bo Nix, Oregon /99
FS-15 Sean Clifford, Penn State /99
FS-16 JJ McCarthy, Michigan /99
FS-18 Nick Singleton, Penn State /99
FS-20 Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama /99

Gunslingers and Bandits Die-Cuts Autographs Checklist

15 cards.

Parallels:

  • Lava Refractors – /50
  • Shimmer Refractors – /25
  • Superfractors – 1/1

GB-1 Caleb Williams, USC /99
GB-2 Dillon Gabriel, The University of Oklahoma /99
GB-5 Stetson Bennett, Georgia /99
GB-6 Will Levis, Kentucky /99
GB-8 Bo Nix, Oregon /99
GB-9 Hendon Hooker, Tennessee /99
GB-10 Will Rogers, Mississippi State /99
GB-13 Jordan Battle, Alabama /99
GB-14 Kelee Ringo, Georgia /99
GB-15 Eli Ricks, Alabama /99
GB-16 Bryce Young, Alabama /99
GB-20 Trenton Simpson, Clemson /99
GB-22 Graham Mertz, Florida /99
GB-24 Jaren Hall, BYU /99
GB-25 Cam Rising, Utah /99

Neon Neophytes Autographs Checklist

17 cards.

Parallels:

  • Lava Refractors – /50
  • Shimmer Refractors – /25
  • Superfractors – 1/1

NN-1 Caleb Williams, USC /99
NN-2 CJ Stroud, Ohio State /99
NN-3 Bryce Young, Alabama /99
NN-4 Stetson Bennett, Georgia /99
NN-5 Tyler Van Dyke, Miami /99
NN-6 Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama /99
NN-7 Trevor Etienne, Florida /99
NN-8 Jordan Addison, USC /99
NN-9 Marvin Mims, The University of Oklahoma /99
NN-10 Will Anderson, Alabama /99
NN-11 Jalen Carter, Georgia /99
NN-12 Maason Smith, LSU /99
NN-13 BJ Ojulari, LSU /99
NN-14 Kelee Ringo, Georgia /99
NN-15 Eli Ricks, Alabama /99
NN-17 Akeem Dent, Florida State /99
NN-18 Jordan Battle, Alabama /99

Triple Autographs Checklist

5 cards.

Parallels:

  • Red Lava Refractors – /5
  • Superfractors – 1/1

TA-ACS Nolan Smith / Jalen Carter / Will Anderson, Georgia / Alabama /15
TA-ASD Jordan Addison / Josh Downs / Jaxon Smith-Njigba, USC / UNC / Ohio State /15
TA-JVB Phil Jurkovec / Tyler Van Dyke / Tyler Buchner, Pittsburgh / Miami / Notre Dame /15
TA-NHW Cameron Ward / Jaren Hall / Bo Nix, Washington State University / BYU / Oregon /15
TA-YSW Bryce Young / CJ Stroud / Caleb Williams, Alabama / Ohio State / USC /15

3/19/23

2023 PIECES OF THE PAST ONE TIME SERIES 1 EDITION with 2 HITS per BOX arrives THIS WEEK AT SPORTS CARDS PLUS


2023 PIECES OF THE PAST ONE TIME SERIES 1 EDITION

TWO GREAT PIECES OF THE PAST HISTORICAL CARDS PER BOX

FIND THE FOLLOWING PIECES RELICS IN THIS PRODUCTION RUN:
SINGLE PIECES RELIC
FOSSIL RELICS
DUAL PIECES RELIC
DUAL DOUBLE SIDED PIECES RELIC
ANCIENT TEETH RELICS
TRIPLE PIECES RELIC
ANCIENT GREEK COIN RELICS
JUMBO PIECES HISTORICAL DOCUMENT RELICS
JUMBO PIECES ANCIENT RELICS
GOLD RELICS
JUMBO PIECES MODERN RELICS
PRESIDENTIAL CUT SIGNATURES
HISTORICAL CUT SIGNATURES
THE BAR 5X7 CUT SIGNATURE 1/1'S
THE BAR 5X7 JUMBO RELICS

RICH IN PRODUCTION VALUE , TOP HISTORICAL SPORTS/ NON SPORTS SUBJECTS,
RELIC AND AUTOGRAPHED CARDS

New Cards produced just for 2023 One Time Series 1 including:
 Cleopatra
- Julius Caesar
- King Tut
- Genghis Khan
- Alexander The Great
- Tyrannosaurus Rex
- Pterodactyl
- Megalodon
- Pony Express
- Seabiscuit
- Secretariat
- Man o'War
- Blackbeard
- William The Kidd
- Hans Wilsdorf
- Charles Lewis Tiffany
- John Deere
- Horace Smith & Daniel Wesson

ONE FOSSIL RELIC CARD GUARANTEED PER CASE!

2023 PIECES OF THE PAST ONE TIME SERIES 1 EDITION

CASE CONFIGURATION: 
10 BOXES PER HOBBY MASTER CASE

10 BOX CASE SRP: $499.95
SRP Per Box:$49.95


11/24/22

2022 TOPPS CHROME MVP BUYBACK PROGRAM

 



To celebrate this year’s MVPs, we’re launching the Topps MVP Buyback. Starting on November 26, 2022, you can bank store credit with your local hobby store in exchange for ‘22 Topps Chrome cards of Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt.

HOW IT WORKS
1. Open Packs of 2022 Topps Chrome Baseball to find card #99 of Aaron Judge and card #82 of Paul Goldschmidt.

2. Trade them in for store credit for anything (singles, packs, boxes, memorabilia, supplies) at Sports Cards Plus.

BUYBACK STORE CREDIT PRICING
Base Cards..............................$ 20 each
Refractors................................$ 40 each
Cards Numbered >/100...........$100 each
Cards Numbered </100...........$200 each

Please Note: Topps has asked us to keep track of customers and their cards traded-in.
We reserve the right to limit the number of cards submitted.
Find Aa1ron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt in Topps Chrome 2022

11/13/22

MILLION DOLLAR JUSTIN HERBERT 2020 PRIZM BLACK PRIZM FINITE AUTOGRAPHED RC PULLED AT SPORTS CARDS PLUS?????



Justin Herbert has been one of the NFL's top young stars in his first two seasons, and collectors have taken notice.

According to Goldin, an autographed Herbert Panini National Treasures Platinum NFL Shield autographed rookie card from 2020 sold for $1.8 million in September 2022.
Herbert, 24, followed up an excellent rookie season by throwing for 5,014 yards, 38 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while completing 65.9 percent of his passes in 2021. While he couldn't quite get the 9-8 Los Angeles Chargers into the playoffs, he did help the team improve by two wins from the prior season.


And his memorabilia sales reflected his growing star. In September 2022, his 2020 Panini Prizm Black Finite rookie card sold for $1.1 million, per ESPN's Dan Hajducky. Both that card and his National Treasures were 1-of-1, adding to their value.






In September 2021, The 2020 Panini Prizm JUSTIN HERBERT Black Finite Autographed Rookie Card was pulled at Sports Cards Plus, a.k.a. The Super Hit Factory.
If the non-autographed version sold for 1,100,000.00, what is the value of the 2020 Prizm Justin Herbert Black Finite Autographed Rookie Card?