Panini America Inks Exclusive Deals with 12 Top Picks in Advance of 2013 NBA Draft

Panini America, the official trading card partner of the NBA, announced today that it has reached exclusive trading card agreements with 12 projected first-round picks in advance of tonight's 2013 NBA Draft, including projected No. 1 overall pick Nerlens Noel (Kentucky), and fellow projected top-five selections Ben McLemore (Kansas), Otto Porter (Georgetown) and Alex Len (Maryland).

Panini 2013 NBA Draft logo

Panini America, the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company and the exclusive trading card manufacturer of the NBA, announced today that it has reached exclusive trading card agreements with 12 projected first-round picks in advance of Thursday’s 2013 NBA Draft, including projected No. 1 overall pick Nerlens Noel (Kentucky), and fellow projected top-five selections Ben McLemore (Kansas), Otto Porter (Georgetown) and Alex Len (Maryland).

The agreements grant Panini America exclusive rights to produce officially licensed NBA Rookie Cards and autographed trading cards of these future NBA stars. The first Rookie Cards and autographs of the 2013-14 NBA Draft class will arrive in late October inside the company’s 2013-14 NBA Hoops product, which carries a $1.99 retail pack price.

In addition to the four players mentioned above, Panini America also inked exclusive agreements with: Victor Oladipo (G, Indiana), Anthony Bennett (F, UNLV), Michael Carter-Williams (G, Syracuse), Trey Burke (G, Michigan), Shabazz Muhammad (G/F, UCLA), Cody Zeller (F/C, Indiana), C.J. McCollum (G, Lehigh) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (G, Georgia). Panini has also signed non-exclusive trading card agreements with Jamaal Franklin (G, San Diego State), Shane Larkin (G, Miami), Dennis Schroeder (G, Germany) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (G, Michigan). 

“We’re coming off of a truly historic NBA season that featured a double rookie trading card class that captured the excitement of collecting the NBA’s hottest young starts,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “Adding so many talented new faces to the Panini America NBA family for 2013-14 ensures that our momentum will continue and we’re excited about delivering the first Rookie Cards and autographs from this next class of NBA stars.”

Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for continued coverage.

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21 Replies to “Panini America Inks Exclusive Deals with 12 Top Picks in Advance of 2013 NBA Draft”

  1. Congrats on the signings. I’m not a fan of exclusive deals, but you guys are a business, and this is the reality of the hobby. At least the autos will come on licensed trading cards. These deals probably help you avoid sticker autos and redemptions, right?

  2. panini is the best
    inking only the greatest
    creates top of the line products
    can’t wait for NT RPAs!!
    superb job!

  3. YES!!!! I cant wait to get my hands on some CJ McCollum cards!! he has been my favorite player since his first season at Leigh. Also cant wait for some victor oladipo cards. I think he has the most potential in the whole draft.

    1. true true. lets just hope he doesent get drafted to like the bulls or thunder because then he wont get any playing time. I agree though he will be a star one day.

  4. I’m excited to know who’s Number 1
    because that would dictate the price for their rookie cards.
    thanks Panini and hopefully you can sign up all the top rookies of this year, unlike last year where Damian Lillard signed with “not so good” Leaf products.

  5. Lot of nice names there. Any chance we are going to see some stuff from the guys in the National Convention redemption stuff?

  6. Should be a good time watching who goes where tonight, it will be excellent to see all their signatures on Panini trading cards. Thanks Tracy!

  7. I love it! Anthony Bennett is one of my favorite players to come in a long time and he is signed with Panini my favorite trading card company! Will Ben McLemore and/or Nerlens Noel be signing with you at anytime?

  8. I would suggest to get Kelly Olynyk on this list ASAP. This kid is an all-around baller as a 7 footer. And his situation in Boston is going to need him to be a star from day one. And if the NBA summer league is a sample, he’s going to end up being one of the most sought after auto in 13-14. Congrats on some of the other singings.

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