2025-26 Topps Basketball Variations Guide

After collectors rip into a certain number of packs of the same cards, they start to get familiar with the images, so when a base card all of sudden looks different, a collector may be looking one of the 2025-26 Topps Basketball variations.

In this guide, collectors can find a breakdown and some images of variations found in packs of 2025-26 Topps Basketball cards.

2025-26 Topps Basketball Variations Overview

There are three primary variations to look for in 2025-26 Topps Basketball:

• Golden Mirror (300 cards)
• Player Number (25 cards)
• Clear /10 (300 cards)

A Blackout variation will later be released in Black Friday Target Blaster boxes.

Golden Mirror Image Variations

If you also collect baseball cards, you may already be familiar with the Golden Mirror variations, but here is a rundown for those who may not know about them.

The Golden Mirror cards debuted in 2023 Topps Baseball and are a rare variation that features a different photo than the player’s regular base card. Collectors should also note the gold foil Topps logo on the front of each card, which replaces the traditional silver.

All that being said, the most distinguishing characteristic of Golden Mirror cards is the golden background on the flip side.

The cards typically showcase a more “fun” style of photography, including several with players not in game action or celebrating.

Golden Mirror cards can be found in every box type of 2025-26 Topps Basketball, though collectors face steep pack odds to pull a Golden Mirror variation – 1:398 hobby packs. All 300 cards on the base checklist have a Golden Mirror card, making it a very difficult set to build.

• Shop for 2025-26 Topps Basketball Golden Mirror Variations on eBay

Player Number Variations

An easier variation to recognize is the Player Number Variation.

These 25 cards have images of a player’s number strewn across the front of the card. The baseball version of these variations were serial-numbered to a match a player’s number, but the basketball version is not serial-numbered.

Collectors can only find these cards in hobby packs, at a rate of 1:5,002 packs. Players in the set are:

-1 Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
-14 Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
-24 Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers
-40 Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
-47 Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
-54 Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
-61 Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
-67 LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
-73 Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
-80 Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
-87 Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
-101 Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
-108 Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
-115 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
-116 Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
-122 Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers
-135 Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
-142 Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
-150 LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
-156 Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
-157 Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
-168 Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
-176 Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
-182 Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
-195 Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

• Shop for 2025-26 Topps Basketball Player Number Variations on eBay

Clear Variations

Another easy-to-spot variation are the Clear variations.

Printed on acetate, these see-through cards are numbered to /10 and feature an alternate style on the flip side, with a mirror image of the player.

Clear variations can be found in all box types. Hobby box odds are 1:5,968, and all 300 base cards have one.

• Shop for 2025-26 Topps Basketball Clear Variations on eBay