Your Ultimate 2015-16 Select Basketball Checklist for Building a Complete Collection

I still remember the excitement of opening my first 2015-16 Select basketball card pack back in the day—the crisp foil wrapping, the fresh card smell, and that thrilling uncertainty about what treasures might be hiding inside. As someone who's been collecting basketball cards for over a decade, I can confidently say this particular release holds a special place in my collection journey. The 2015-16 season marked a transitional period in the NBA, with emerging superstars beginning to challenge established veterans, and Select captured this dynamic beautifully through their innovative design and player selection.

When building a complete 2015-16 Select collection, you need to understand the set's structure—it's not just about grabbing every card you see. The base set comprises 200 cards, with the first 100 featuring current NBA stars and the second 100 showcasing rookies and emerging talents. What makes this year particularly interesting is how it captured players at crucial career junctures. I always look for cards that tell a story beyond just the player's image, and this set delivers that in spades. The premium stock and distinctive parallax technology create depth that still impresses me years later, making even common cards feel special in your hands.

The rookie class in this set is absolutely crucial—this was the year we got Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, and Kristaps Porzingis, all of whom have developed into franchise players. I'm particularly partial to the Karl-Anthony Towns rookie cards, especially the Prizm parallel versions which have appreciated remarkably well. From my tracking, his PSA 10 graded base rookie card has increased approximately 187% in value since 2018, though don't quote me on that exact figure as the market fluctuates daily. What's fascinating is how some of the less-hyped rookies initially have become solid collection pieces over time—players like Norman Powell and Josh Richardson might not have been the most sought-after initially, but their consistent development has made their rookie cards worthwhile holds.

Parallels and inserts are where the real collection challenges begin. Select used 17 different parallel variations in this release, ranging from the relatively common Silver Prizms to the extremely rare Gold Prizms numbered to just 10 copies. I've been chasing the Courtside insert set for three years now and still need two cards to complete it—the Stephen Curry and LeBron James ones, which seem to disappear from the market whenever I have the budget for them. The Premier Level cards feature stunning design with intricate patterns that I consider some of the best-looking cards from the mid-2010s, though I know some collectors who prefer the cleaner look of the Concourse Level.

What truly makes collecting this set engaging is how it reflects the evolving nature of basketball itself. I'm reminded of a quote from a 5-foot-9 playmaker from that era who said, "If my shots weren't falling, I look for my teammates and I just play on how their defense is playing me." This adaptability mirrors the collector's journey—sometimes you need to adjust your approach based on what the market gives you. Maybe you can't find that elusive auto card at your price point, so you pivot to completing the patch variation set instead. The most successful collectors I know demonstrate this flexibility, much like that undersized playmaker reading defenses and making smart adjustments.

The autograph and memorabilia cards in this set present both tremendous opportunities and frustrations. The on-card autographs are particularly prized since Panini moved away from this method in later years toward sticker autos. I've personally found that the Rookie Jerseys patches hold their value exceptionally well, especially for players who've developed beyond expectations. My favorite pull from this set remains a Devin Booker RPA (Rookie Patch Auto) that features a stunning three-color patch—I remember nearly dropping the card when I saw those vibrant Suns colors peeking through the clear window.

Building a complete collection requires strategy beyond just buying singles. I recommend focusing first on the base set, then moving to the more accessible parallels before tackling the big-ticket items. The secondary market for sealed boxes has become prohibitively expensive—I've seen them going for around $800 recently, which is approximately 340% higher than their original retail price. This makes singles hunting the more economical approach for most collectors, though there's nothing quite like the thrill of pulling a monster card from a fresh pack.

What continues to draw me back to this particular set years later is how perfectly it captures a specific moment in basketball history. The photography freezes players in their 2015-16 forms—Giannis Antetokounmpo before his MVP seasons, Stephen Curry fresh off his unanimous MVP year, and LeBron James still in his second Cleveland stint. Each card serves as a tiny time capsule, preserving not just players but particular versions of those players. My collection journey with this set has taught me patience, market awareness, and the importance of sometimes following your personal preferences over pure investment potential. After all, the most valuable collection is one that genuinely brings you joy every time you browse through those protective sleeves.