Running it Back: 1970-1971 Topps Basketball

Card Specs: 2.5" x 4.69" | 175 cards | Full Color | Vintage Basketball

Issued during a period of surging NBA popularity and expanded television exposure, the 1970–71 Topps Basketball set marks Topps’ first consecutive-year basketball release after returning to the sport in 1969-70 following a decade-long absence. Building on the success of the prior year, Topps dramatically expanded the checklist from 99 to 175 cards, making it the largest basketball release to date and firmly establishing the company’s renewed commitment to the NBA.

1970-1971 Topps Basketball Pat Riley & Elgin Baylor

The checklist is anchored by a remarkable lineup of Hall of Fame talent and one of the most celebrated rookie cards in the sport, Pete Maravich (#123). Alongside Maravich, superstars including Wilt Chamberlain (#50), Lew Alcindor (#75), Oscar Robertson (#100), Jerry West (#90), and Elgin Baylor (#35) establish the set as one of most highly-coveted among collectors. Additional rookie highlights include Calvin Murphy and Pat Riley, and subsets within the set include statistical leaders (#1–6), All-Star selections (#106–115), and an eight-card NBA Finals recap (#168–175), adding depth and variety.

Tall Guys on Tall Boys: 1970-71 Topps Basketball Card Design

1970-1971 Topps Basketball Jerry West

The 1970-1971 set continues the distinctive "tall boy" format first introduced in 1969–70, with cards measuring approximately 2-1/2" x 4-11/16". Full-color fronts showcase posed action shots or portraits framed by clean white borders, while a large basketball graphic at the bottom displays the player’s name, team city, and position. The horizontal card backs feature a banner with the player’s name and position, a circular card number, biographical notes, a small cartoon, and complete career statistics.

Cards were distributed exclusively in 10-cent wax packs containing 10 cards and a stick of gum, with 24 packs per box. No cello or rack packs were produced, and the two-series release marked the first time Topps employed this structure for basketball.

1970-1971 Topps Basketball unopened box

How Much are 1970-1971 Topps Basketball Cards Worth?

The Pete Maravich rookie stands clearly at the top of the set, routinely commanding several thousand dollars in high-grade condition and serving as the set’s defining card. High-grade examples of stars such as Wilt Chamberlain and Lew Alcindor can also exceed four figures at auction, while mid-grade examples of Chamberlain, Alcindor, Jerry West, and other top stars commonly trade in the $100–$300 range depending on centering and eye appeal. Raw commons typically sell in the $5–$20 range, with premiums attached to short-printed cards from the first series, which includes 22 short prints.

Inconsistent centering, along with the tallboy format storage challenges - often involving standard boxes or rubber bands - make high-grade examples scarce, reinforcing the set’s enduring appeal among vintage basketball collectors.

Recent 1970-1971 Topps Basketball Auction Sales

1970-1971 Topps Basketball #160 Jerry West PSA 10 - $54,000 - 2024 June Auction

1970-1971 Topps Basketball #123 Pete Maravich PSA 9 - $29,520 - 2025 October Auction

1970-1971 Topps Basketball #75 Lew Alcindor PSA 8.5 - $3,075 - 2026 Spring Auction

1970-1971 Topps Basketball #50 Wilt Chamberlain PSA 8 - $892 - 2025 Fall Auction

1970-1971 Topps Basketball Shoebox Collection - $6,000 - 2023 Spring Auction

1970-1971 Topps Basketball Unopened Wax Box - $108,000 - 2023 Spring Auction

FOR MORE RECENT AUCTION SALES, SEARCH "1970-1971 TOPPS BASKETBALL" IN THE REA AUCTION ARCHIVE.

How to Sell 1970-1971 Topps Basketball Cards

If you’re considering selling a single 1970-1971 Topps Basketball card or a whole collection, we are happy to assist. We can help with grading and authentication as needed, and inform you of value expectations to help you make an informed decision. Reach out today to connect with a specialist to learn more.