Published June 02, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

Some days, the itch creeps in. Not to rip. Not to buy. Just... to be around it.

Today was one of those days where the urge hit harder than usual. The announcement of 2024-25 Mosaic Basketball hit like a freight train—absolutely impossible to avoid. It’s that time of year and I’ve admittedly been waiting for the ‘coming soon’ page to hit Panini for weeks. But I wasn’t ready for this.

For context, Mosaic 2019-20 was the set that pulled me back into the hobby during the early pandemic days. I still remember the rush of those first rips, chasing Zion and Ja, that thrill of possibility in every pack. Especially back when those base rookies were selling for over a hundred bucks a pop. So seeing this new release hit my feed today? It triggered something deep. The nostalgia. The hype. The colors. The packaging. The possibilities. And suddenly, I felt like I was right back there again.

Ever since its debut as a standalone set in 2020, Mosaic has always been considered more entry-level—a tier below the big three: Prizm, Select, Optic. Chromium stock with a mosaic finish—still flashy, still loud, but never the centerpiece. Until now.

This year’s set is Mosaic on steroids. You’d think Panini is losing the league licenses or something. Three packs per box. The return of Kobe Snakeskin paralles. Optic Contenders Tickets. Stained Glass sharper than ever. Logomen?! And yes—even the almighty Color Blast. The preview reads like Panini’s Greatest Hits. It looks incredible.

If I could’ve sat down and designed my dream set—something that checked every single box for me—this would be it. Every detail feels precision-built to push my buttons. And it’s working. And that’s the problem. When it comes to marketing, Panini knows exactly what they’re doing—and this drop might actually deserve the “product of the year” title the hobby loves to throw around.

I found myself scrolling through the sell sheets and product images, fantasizing about pulling one of the new case hits or landing a low numbered parallel of one of the top rookies. Letting myself get excited. And almost immediately, the guilt hit—like I was window shopping for something I know I have no business buying.

We’ve talked about this at great length—the hobby is not exactly the same as traditional gambling, but it’s certainly adjacent. Close enough that if I’m not intentional, it could pull me back into the same destructive loop.

Recovery programs like GA preach total abstinence—cut it off completely. But collecting’s different. For many of us, it’s tied to identity, to joy, to connection. I don’t want to vanish from the hobby—I just want to engage in a way that doesn’t hurt me.

So I keep asking myself:
Can I scratch the itch without tearing the skin?
Can I observe without indulging?
Can I appreciate without spiraling?

Some days I can. Some days I can’t. But every day, I try—with purpose. And even that small moment of guilt? That felt like progress.

Mosaic officially drops July 9th. Between now and then, I’ll need to stay grounded—stay honest—stay intentional.

Because this isn’t just about resisting another product release.
It’s about reclaiming the way I interact with what I love.

Intention over impulse.
That’s the line I’m walking.

#CollectorsMD
Same hype. Same triggers. Different response.

—
Follow us on Instagram: @collectorsmd
Subscribe to our Newsletter & Support Group
Join The Conversation On Mantel
Read More Daily Reflections

Pulled a 2022-23 Mosaic NBA blaster from Walmart.
No autos. No serials. (⬅ What I like to grade)

Still walked away with:

• “Thunder Road” Jokić insert

• Green Mosaics: Şengün, Jrue Holiday, Kevin Love

• Mosaic Prizm Dinwiddie

• “Give and Go” Jokić

• “Masters” Giannis insert

No monsters. Just solid ROI and was fun for a $30 rip.

Cooper DeJean is a professional football cornerback and punt returner for the Philadelphia Eagles, drafted 40th overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft after a standout college career at Iowa, where he earned unanimous All-American honors in 2023 . In his rookie NFL season, DeJean contributed significantly to the Eagles' defense, recording 51 tackles, six pass deflections, and three fumble recoveries, and played a pivotal role in their Super Bowl LIX victory by returning an interception for a touchdown on his 22nd birthday . Hailing from Odebolt, Iowa, DeJean's journey from a small-town athlete to an NFL standout has made him a source of pride for his hometown and a rising star in professional football.

Brock Bowers, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, & Xavier worthy 👏

I picked this up this card at a show back in January. I thought it would be a good price to add to my Tom Brady PC. PSA 9.