Sports News
“There it is! Rhody did it.”
Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, a Maine native, was among three unanimous first-team selections for the NBA’s All-Rookie team. Julio Cortez
Call this breaking breaking news.
One of the rarest basketball cards on earth was pulled in Rhode Island on Monday night.
A 1:1 Cooper Flagg Rookie Debut Patch Autograph card was pulled during a livestream Monday night by RhodyBreakers, a social account affiliated with the Baseball Cards of Rhode Island card shop in North Kingstown.
In the video, we see the hosts pull the 1:1 rookie card — and lose words.
“Oh my god,” says one host, as the other raises his hands to his face in stunned silence.
The signed card — part of a 2026 Topps Chrome Update Basketball set, with signed debut patch cards from the 2025 NBA Draft class— features a patch from Flagg’s jersey, worn during his NBA debut with the Dallas Mavericks.
In trading card parlance, a 1:1 card refers to a card in which only one copy was made. Flagg signed this particular card during Fanatics Fest in July.
Following the pull, Topps tweeted simply: “history was made in rhode island” with a photo of the card.
How much is it worth? Card fans online estimated between $2 million and $4 million, and commented, “Hold out for 5 mil.”
The Portland Press Herald, in Flagg’s home state of Maine, estimated upward of $5 million. ESPN reports: “A similar exclusive card featuring Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher Paul Skenes sold for $1.11 million last year, leading to speculation that Flagg’s card could fetch at least as much in an auction…The owner of Flagg’s card will be hard-pressed to part with it.”
The owner was not made clear. According to the Facebook page “What’s going on in Rhode Island,” the break spot was purchased by a collector in South Carolina. RhodyBreakers said online that the person paid “$515 for the 3 box break,” meaning any Dallas Mavericks card in those three boxes went to the buyer, including the ultra-rare Flagg.
If all this has you thinking of Netflix’s “King of Collectibles”? Same. And yes, @Goldin is following RhodyBreakers on Instagram.
The Dallas Mavericks posted to Instagram on August 6 that they’re offering a “bounty” for the unicorn: “If you have it, we want it.”
Their offer includes: two Mavericks season premium lower level tickets for 32 years; a signed, game-worn Flagg rookie jersey; a tour of the practice facility; a trip to see the Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics (airfare, hotel and game tickets covered) and more.
Some commenters said that was a hard pass:
“Nah I want 5 mil and a signed jersey.”
“No one is taking this offer 😂”
“Hahaha nope hold on to it and retire in 10 yrs”
In the RhodyBreaker video posted Monday night, we hear one host say: “Could be a life-changing hit. Could just be a pretty sweet hit…Alright, good luck, here. Debut patch is …” he pauses while the card is unveiled.
“Oh my god. Welp. There it is. Rhody did it.”
The other host just puts his hands to face, and pushes his chair back from the screen, before laughing in shock.
See what they pull tomorrow: RhodyBreakers does live breaks on YouTube every Monday, Wednesday and Friday night.
Lauren Daley is a freelance culture writer. She can be reached at [email protected]. She tweets @laurendaley1, and Instagrams at @laurendaley1.
Lauren Daley is a longtime culture journalist. As a regular contributor to Boston.com, she interviews A-list musicians, actors, authors and other major artists.
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