Back when I started collecting cards—around 1995-1996—I encountered my first “hyped” prospect. For those unfamiliar, prospecting in the card hobby refers to the practice of buying early into a player’s career, often during their rookie season, with the hope they’ll become a star and their cards will increase in value. It’s essentially speculation—similar to investing in a promising stock.

Since I began collecting, most prospectors have ended up in the red. Almost always. It’s a cycle that repeats every year with each new draft class across all sports. Sure, some collectors manage to win the “hot potato” game that is prospecting, but they’re the exception, not the rule. And that brings me to my first experience with a hyped prospect who didn’t quite pan out.

Enter Antonio McDyess—nicknamed “Dice Man.” Drafted in 1995, he was viewed as one of the NBA’s next big stars. Michael Jordan had just returned from his baseball stint, and the league was in an identity crisis, searching for its next icon. Many collectors bet big on McDyess. His rookie cards were front and center at local shops and card shows, often carrying hefty price tags.

But it only took a year for that hype to crash. By 1996, prospectors had shifted focus to a new, stacked draft class featuring names like Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant, paired with innovative new card sets like Topps Chrome and E-X 2000. Suddenly, no one cared about McDyess. His card values plummeted.

Now, to be fair, McDyess had a solid NBA career—15 seasons, an All-Star selection—but his cards are still worth just a few bucks. So, what happened? Simply put: he wasn’t the guy collectors were hoping for.

If you’re in the hobby to make money, take this as a cautionary tale. Don’t end up with a stack of McDyess rookies, hoping for a comeback that isn’t coming.

Pictured here is an Antonio McDyess UD Glass autographed card—a reminder to tread carefully when investing in the next big thing.

This past weekend I visited my local card store in Altamonte Springs, FL. I was there to purchase a few magnetic cases for the UD Glass cards I’ve slowly been accumulating.

As I was leaving I said to myself, “Oh I need to take a picture with my new case and UD Glass card (pictured here)”. I stood center in the store and brought the card out of my backpack. This peeked interest with other patrons. A guy yelled “What do you have?”. I replied “nothing special”. He was absolutely blown away that I had a Caron Butler UD Glass auto in my hand. He asked if I collected Butler and shared how he recently picked up a Caron Butler Upper Deck Sweet Shot Signature shots for a few bucks. This sparked a huge conversation as I was looking to purchase a Sebastian Telfair from the same set earlier in the day. Over 25 minutes of us rattling off older sets and player names some have definitely never heard of. Essentially playing trivia with each other on early 2000’s NBA. We both had to go our separate ways stating a similar reason of “my wife will be mad I spent too much time at the card store”.

This is what collecting sports cards and what the hobby is all about.

I’ve been slowly acquiring UD Glass cards and I believe they’re one of the more undervalued cards/sets. These cards absolutely unique and completely different from anything before it’s time. The cards are real glass (trust me I’ve had a few come shattered in the mail). Absolutely beautiful in person. I absolutely adore this set and would not eve surprised if they become the new “hot” set to obtain ie Metal and EX 2001.

The goal is to acquire a MJ and LeBron auto in the future. In the meantime, I’m perfectly content with my Agent Zero auto.

1999 Skybox EX Century Bright Lights Orange Randy Moss PSA 10 (Brite Lites according the back of the pack). The orange was randomly inserted in packs, and was not originally supposed to be part of the set but due to a printing error this color variation surfaced in packs. It’s been speculated they’re around 50-75 orange cards of each player however that number could be much less. Grading a 10 is another achievement as most had rigged plastic edges, surface issues, and centering issues. I’m grateful to own this card.

Randy Moss came on the scene in the late 90s and at anytime playing football you would hear kids yelling “Moss’d ya” after making a catch.

I received this autographed football from my parents for Christmas I believe in 1999 and have kept in this display case ever since.

#RandyMoss #Skybox #EXCentury #NFL #cards

F1 is back. One of my all time sports cards sets 2020 Topps Chrome F1. A documentary should be made for the lure and storylines surrounding this iconic set.