1998-99 SkyBox Thunder Basketball Cards
The 1998-99 SkyBox Thunder basketball set is a flashy late‑’90s release known for its vibrant designs and high‑profile inserts. The base set contained roughly 125 cards (numbered #1–125, plus a checklist). Its checklist features the biggest stars of the era: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, and others, as well as several popular rookies (see below). Parallel versions of every base card were produced with foil backgrounds: blue “Rave” parallels and gold “Super Rave” parallels. (These were serial‑numbered – for example, many Rave cards are numbered to 150 – making them rarer and highly collectible.) The set’s futuristic graphics and colorful foil touches make both the base and parallel cards instantly recognizable to collectors.
Cards from the 1998-99 SkyBox Thunder set feature bold designs and standout finishes. For example, a Michael Jordan base card showcases a sleek silver background, while Kobe Bryant’s cards can be found in eye-catching parallel versions like the blue “Rave” foil and gold “Super Rave” foil. These parallels use metallic foil and die-cut logos that pop visually and give the cards a premium, futuristic look. One of the most iconic inserts from the set, Noyz Boyz, was printed on a special “Illusion” stock that shimmers under light, giving it a fiery, almost holographic effect that continues to impress collectors today.)
Insert Sets
SkyBox Thunder included several special insert series. In addition to the parallels above, there are six named insert sets in basketball Thunder (mostly in hobby packs):
- Bringin’ It (10 cards, ~1:8 packs) – A 10-card insert usually issued as multi-panel die-cut “fold-out” cards. It features veteran stars doing highlight plays (e.g. Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, Scottie Pippen, Eddie Jones, Dennis Rodman, etc.). These cards are physically die-cut (into ovals or folding sections) with foil accents, making them a striking visual element. Odds are roughly 1 insert per 8 boxes.
- Boss (20 cards, ~1:16 packs) – A 20-card insert celebrating top veterans. The checklist is stacked with Hall‑of‑Famers and stars: Shaq (BOSS #13), Scottie Pippen (#15), Karl Malone (#10), Gary Payton (#14), Tim Duncan (#3), Glen “Big Dog” Robinson (#16), John Stockton (#17), Kevin Garnett (#4), Grant Hill (#6), Antoine Walker (#20), and others. The cards have a bold hardwood‑floor background design (often lauded as one of Thunder’s “grooviest” looks). Each card was foil-stamped with the player’s name and a “Boss” logo, and they are numbered /20 or /25 in parallels. They fall about 1 per 16 packs.
- Flight School (12 cards, ~1:96 packs) – A 12-card insert honoring players known for high-flying play. It includes rising stars and all-stars like Kobe Bryant (#2), Michael Jordan (#9), Allen Iverson (#8), Kevin Garnett (#4), Grant Hill (#6), Allen Iverson (#8), Shawn Kemp (#10), Antonio McDyess (#11), Ron Mercer (#12), Michael Finley (#3), Anfernee Hardaway (#5), and possibly others. (Notably, cards #2 Kobe, #9 Jordan, #7 Iverson, #10 Kemp, etc., are in the set. These have dynamic action photos with a futuristic background. They are quite scarce (roughly one per 96 boxes).
- Lift Off (10 cards, ~1:56 packs) – A 10-card insert with a “dunk” theme (players looking like they are “lifting off”). Kobe Bryant (#3 LO) is the most famous example; other checklist names include role players and veterans. The cards feature players jumping against stylized backgrounds. They come about one per 56 hobby packs.
- Noyz Boyz (15 cards, ~1:300 packs) – By far the most famous Thunder insert. A 15-card die-cut foil set with an “urban graffiti” look: each card has a player portrait on shiny “Illusion” stock with foil names, over a cut‑out background pattern. It includes only superstars: headlined by Michael Jordan (#9NB) and Kobe Bryant (#3NB) , and also featuring Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, Gary Payton, and others. The odds were very low (about one Noyz Boyz card per 300 packs, making the entire set legendary for its rarity and design. Collectors prize Noyz Boyz for its look and scarcity; even today these cards command high prices (see below).
- Autographics (~20+ cards, ~1:112 packs) – A cross-product insert of on-card autographs. The “Autographics” series appeared in all SkyBox products that year (Hoops, Metal Universe, Thunder, etc.), so Thunder hobby boxes carried one autograph per ~112 packs. The checklist is large (mostly veteran stars); Thunder Autographics are not individually numbered to Thunder but share a combined checklist. (Examples include signed cards of stars like Clyde Drexler, Dikembe Mutombo, etc.) This insert adds autograph chase value to the product.
Each of these inserts had its own distinctive look, but all helped make Thunder memorable. The overall insert pull rates (per hobby box) are roughly: Bringin’ It ~1:8, Boss ~1:16, Lift Off ~1:56, Flight School ~1:96, Autographics ~1:112, and Noyz Boyz ~1:300.
Notable Rookies and Star Players
Thunder’s base set includes a mix of late‑career legends and young talents. Hall‑of‑Famers and stars in the checklist include Michael Jordan (rookie card #106 in this set, his final Chicago Bulls card), Kobe Bryant (multiple cards), Shaquille O’Neal, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone, Gary Payton, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Penny Hardaway, Chris Webber, and many more.
Notable rookies (first-year NBA players featured in the set) include:
- Vince Carter (Toronto Raptors #99-#102 cards)
- Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks #110)
- Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics #112)
- Mike Bibby (#105, Sacramento)
- Antawn Jamison (Golden State #107)
- Jason “White Chocolate” Williams (Sacramento #113)
- Rashard Lewis (#120, Seattle)
- and others like Rafer Alston, Hedo Türkoğlu, etc.
Collectors often chase Thunder for these rookies alongside the big stars listed above. For example, a Michael Jordan base card (#106, a popular serial-numbered parallel known as “Rave”), or the rookie cards of Carter/Nowitzki, add extra collector interest to the set.
Why Thunder Remains Popular
Several factors contribute to Thunder’s enduring appeal among collectors:
- Striking 90s Design: Thunder cards scream “late 1990s” with bright colors, foil accents, and die-cut shapes. The inserts especially use eye-catching effects – e.g. the Noyz Boyz cards have foil stamping and “Illusion” backgrounds, and the Boss cards have a bold hardwood-graphics background praised by fans. Even the base cards have a shiny “Rave” parallel that makes stars like Jordan and Bryant pop. This nostalgic 90s aesthetic is a big draw.
- Key Inserts and Rarities: The set’s five main insert series give collectors multiple chase goals. In particular, the Noyz Boyz 15-card die-cut set (1:300 packs) has become legendary for its rarity and unique look. Other inserts like Bringin’ It and Boss feature 90s icons (Barkley, Malone, Pippen, etc.), while Flight School and Lift Off spotlight high-flyers. The serialized parallels (Rave/Super Rave) also add rarity. These inserts were considered “cool” back in 1998 and remain desirable today.
- Star Power & Nostalgia: Thunder captures a transitional moment in NBA history. It includes the last Bulls cards of Jordan, plus emerging superstars (Iverson, Garnett) and fan favorites (Rodman, Kemp, etc.). For collectors who grew up in the 90s/early 2000s, pulling a Thunder box brings nostalgia for this era. Key players like MJ, Kobe, Iverson, and the all-star rookie class evoke the “golden era” of 90s basketball cards.
- Investment Potential: Over the past few years, values for rare Thunder cards have climbed, especially for top inserts. This attention has fed popularity among investors and players alike. For example, the Michael Jordan Noyz Boyz #9NB in PSA 10 sold for $31,123 in early 2025, illustrating how high-end examples command massive prices. Even Kobe Bryant’s Noyz Boyz card (#3NB) is valued around $12–13K PSA 10. Other Thunder inserts like the “Lift Off” Kobe (#3LO) average ~$430 in PSA 10. These strong values (and low pop reports for some cards) keep collectors excited about Thunder.
- Community Buzz: Forums and card-collecting media often highlight Thunder’s inserts. Write-ups on sites like Mantel and Cardboard Connection have praised Noyz Boyz as “legendary” due to its design and scarcity. YouTube box breaks of Thunder remain popular, and the set is frequently discussed in 90s‐focused card communities.
In summary, the 1998-99 SkyBox Thunder set remains a collector favorite because of its bold designs, star-studded inserts, nostalgic 90s appeal, and the strong secondary market for its rare cards.
Recent Sales and Values
Thunder cards have seen notable sales in recent years, reflecting their collectible status. Key examples include:
- Michael Jordan #106 (base “Rave” parallel): While a base Jordan is modestly priced (a PSA10 goes for ~$700, it’s the Noyz Boyz Jordan (#9NB) that has spiked in value. A PSA 10 Noyz Boyz Jordan sold for $31,123 in Feb. 2025.
- Kobe Bryant Inserts: Kobe’s Thunder cards also command strong prices. His Noyz Boyz card (#3NB) in PSA 10 is around $12.8K. His Lift Off insert (#3LO) in PSA 10 averages about $430. (Even the base parallel Rave Kobe can sell for $100+ in top grade.)
- Other Thunder Inserts: Hall‑of‑Famer inserts like Pippen or Shaq in Boss or Flight School rarely surface, but when they do they can fetch hundreds in high grades. For instance, a PSA10 Kobe Flight School (#2) might be in the low thousands. Meanwhile, common rookies (Carter, Nowitzki) remain affordable but have steadily climbed as nostalgia grows.
- Comparisons: By contrast, Thunder rookies (Carter, Nowitzki, Pierce) in raw condition are often only tens of dollars each, but graded copies in high PSA grades now fetch several times that. The surge in insert values suggests collectors are paying premiums for Thunder’s design highlights.
Overall, recent auction and price guide data confirm Thunder’s status: Noyz Boyz cards and rare parallels are now high-dollar items, while the base set (especially in expensive parallels) has seen moderate value increases. This makes Thunder packs still appealing for both nostalgic enjoyment and investment speculation.