I never loved the ’86 Fleer set because so many Hall of Famers had earlier Star cards. The saga over PSA grading these was finally resolved a few years ago, and they now grade them. I had all mine graded by Beckett at the time, since that was the best option available. Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, these were mysterious grail cards for me

1983-84 Star #94 Isiah Thomas

This early Star issue captures a young Isiah Thomas in his Pistons prime, just a couple of years into his Hall of Fame career. Before his mainstream rookie in 1986 Fleer, this card served as one of the only true collectibles for fans of the fiery floor general and two-time NBA champion.

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1983-84 Star #263 Dominique Wilkins

Dominique Wilkins explodes to the rim in this iconic in-game shot from his Star rookie card. Known as the “Human Highlight Film,” Wilkins’ high-flying style made him one of the most electrifying scorers of the ’80s—and this card is a cornerstone for collectors of that era.

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1984-85 Star #235 John Stockton

John Stockton’s true rookie card comes from the 1984-85 Star set, well before his Fleer debut. This card showcases the future NBA all-time assists leader at the very start of his legendary career with the Utah Jazz. A must-have for collectors of all-time great point guards.

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1983-84 Star #100 Clyde Drexler

Clyde “The Glide” Drexler makes his hobby debut in this Star rookie card, released two full years before his Fleer issue. Sleek, smooth, and explosive, Drexler was one of the era’s most dynamic wings—and this card is the definitive start to his Hall of Fame legacy.

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1984-85 Star #101 Michael Jordan

Released after his 1984 Olympic run but before his NBA rookie season, this Star card captures a young Michael Jordan just as the legend was being born. Considered his first NBA-licensed card, it’s a grail for collectors chasing Jordan’s pre-Fleer legacy.

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1984-85 Star #202 Charles Barkley

Before Sir Charles became a household name, this Star rookie card marked his first NBA cardboard appearance. Barkley’s bruising style and outsized personality made him one of the game’s most memorable figures—and this card is the true beginning of it all.

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1984-85 Star #237 Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem’s first NBA card came in this Star release, showcasing “The Dream” in the early days of what would become a dominant Hall of Fame career. A key big man of the era and a two-time champion, Olajuwon’s Star rookie remains a foundational piece.

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1985-86 Star #166 Patrick Ewing

This Star card captures Patrick Ewing at the start of his pro journey, after an iconic Georgetown career and just before his 1986 Fleer rookie. As the centerpiece of the Knicks and a dominant force in the paint, Ewing’s Star issue holds a special place in ’80s basketball collecting.

1993 BBM Ichiro Suzuki #239 (BlueWave Rookie)

Before he was a Seattle Mariner, Ichiro was already a legend in Japan. This 1993 BBM card captures his earliest pro days with the Orix BlueWave. A must-have for collectors who appreciate international origins of greatness.

2010 Grandstand Russell Wilson #25 (Tri-City Dust Devils)

Before dominating the NFL, Russell Wilson was slinging baseballs in the Rockies’ minor league system. His Grandstand card with the Tri-City Dust Devils is a true oddball gem

1981 Swedish Semic Mike Eruzione #104 (VM Sticker)

Captain America, straight outta Sweden. This obscure 1981 sticker captures Miracle on Ice hero Mike Eruzione in international cardboard form. Collecting doesn’t get cooler.

1991 Stadium Club Brett Favre #94 – Super Bowl XXVI

Most collectors know this classic Favre rookie card, but what makes this version a bit of an oddball is the embossed Super Bowl XXVI logo stamped on the front. These were distributed as part of a special set during the Super Bowl and are much harder to find than the base version. A subtle but cool twist on a classic rookie card.

1977 Topps Mexican Steve Largent #177

This ultra-scarce Topps Mexican issue features Hall of Famer Steve Largent with unique Spanish text and funky print quality. Tough grade, tougher to find — even beat up, it’s a beauty.

And a couple more CFL rookies

1971 O-Pee-Chee Joe Theismann #13 (CFL Rookie)

Long before Washington, Joe Theismann was lighting it up in the CFL with the Argos. His OPC rookie is an iconic pre-NFL piece for Heisman and CFL fans alike.

1995 Jogo CFL Jeff Garcia #8

Another CFL-to-NFL success story — Jeff Garcia got his start in the Jogo set. Before the 49ers, he was making plays for Calgary. A hidden gem in the CFL collecting scene.

1991 All-World CFL Rocket Ismail #1 (Auto)

When Rocket went north, it was one of the most shocking moves on draft day 1991. This signed All-World card captures that moment. CFL meets cultural icon.

A much earlier card than his 1957 Topps..

1951 Berk Ross Bob Cousy #1-11

A pre-rookie appearance of Celtics legend Bob Cousy in the quirky Berk Ross multi-sport set. Crude artwork, crude cutting — but pure basketball history.

My first post on this app. I’ve been a collector since I was a kid in the ’80s and ’90s, back when sports cards were king. Unfortunately, that also happened to be the heart of the junk wax era. Still, I loved the hobby. Once I got a real job in the early 2000s, I jumped back in and started buying the rookie cards I always wanted.

That era was a down time for the hobby, so prices were still low—except for vintage baseball. eBay was just taking off, and suddenly I had access to cards I’d never seen or even heard of. One of the most legendary in our household growing up was the 1983 Jogo Warren Moon. My brother and I read about it in Dr. James Beckett’s guide and dreamed of finding one.

On a family trip to Niagara Falls in 1991, we begged our parents to take us to local card shops hoping to track it down—or maybe find a CFL-exclusive Rocket Ismail card—but no luck. Years later, thanks to eBay, I finally found one.

That opened the door to a whole new interest: pre-rookie and oddball cards. Think Kurt Warner’s 1995 Iowa Barnstormers or David Robinson’s 1986 MERCHANTE card from Spain. The more I explored, the more familiar names I found on obscure cards. That became my new focus—and the beginning of my next chapter in collecting.

Add this to my almost Jordan rookie collection. This is still a pre-1986 Fleer rookie. From the Star Co. 1985 set, this is the Star Co. Gatorade Michael Jordan in a fantastic BGS 9 grade. Might cross it to PSA one day, but not in a rush to do it. Love collecting the 1985 Star Co Jordan variations - and they are always easy to trade and sell as the demand remains high. Especially as the 1985 Star #101 gets SO much attention, you can still find these for reasonable prices at times.