The fact that Schofield essentially learned cursive just so that he could deliver an autograph anyone would be proud to own on his Panini America Rookie Cards is a testament. Not just to his commitment but to the undeniable importance of an event that is paramount to Panini America’s basketball business every year.
“It’s by far the most important event on our basketball calendar every year,” said David Porter, Panini America’s NBA Brand Director. “While it affords us the opportunity to capture the autographs and memorabilia that will be the focal point of our products for the entire season, it also allows us the chance to strengthen our relationships with each and every one of the players here as well as with our colleagues at the NBA and the NBPA. You simply can’t overstate how profoundly this event positively impacts our business.”
Schofield’s story was but one of the highlights of the annual extravaganza that provides Panini America – the exclusive trading card manufacturer of the NBA and National Basketball Players Association for the last decade – unparalleled face time, photography time and signing time with the newest class of NBA stars. Another highlight? As it turns out, some guy named “Zion Williamson” apparently is going to be a really big deal this season. Like . . . really, really big.
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Man Of The People
STEPH CURRY IS NOT THE BIGGEST OR FASTEST PLAYER IN THE NBA. HE’S JUST ARGUABLY THE MOST POPULAR.
All The Write Moves
ZION WILLIAMSON HEADLINES AN “EPIC” 2019 NBA ROOKIE CLASS THAT HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO ELEVATE BASKETBALL CARDS TO UNHEARD-OF HEIGHTS. AND DURING PANINI AMERICA’S 2019 NBA ROOKIE PHOTOSHOOT IN AUGUST, WE CAUGHT THE BEGINNING STAGES OF THE ASCENT.
Ferrell Comes From Out of Nowhere
Once in a while, a hidden talent emerges to become a hobby sensation and those that did not manage to get their cards suddenly find themselves behind the pack in the chase to get that player’s cards.
Get With The Program
Panini’s NBA Player of the Day promotion returns for 2017
Freak of Nature
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Rookie Cards ready to go to the next level
Simply DeBest
DeMar DeRozan is Toronto’s all-time scoring leader – and a local legend.
Showtime!
Looking back at the 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers.
Brow Power
ANTHONY DAVIS - A TRUE HOBBY SUPERSTAR.
Embiid Continues Domination Of Rookie Class
Simply stated, Joel Embiid is crushing it in the race for Rookie of the Year honors.
Finally!
Rookie Joel Embiid makes an instant impact in the hobby.
DAPPER LABS, CREATORS OF NBA TOP SHOT, GET $305M IN FUNDING
Canadian blockchain technology company Dapper Labs has secured $305 million in private funding — some of it from current and former NBA players, including Michael Jordan — to scale up its virtual NBA trading card site, the company said this week.
The Long Game: Covid Changed The Way We Play, Watch, Cheer
It’s the predictable rhythm of sports that draws us in.
Tristan & Khloé's LONG-DISTANCE ROMANCE: DOOMED?
The couple faces a dilemma while residing on separate coasts.
NBA COACHES ATTIRE: MASKS ARE IN, JACKETS ARE OPTIONAL
For NBA coaches, masks are required this season. Jackets are not.
THE URGENT NEED FOR SOPHISTICATED LEADERSHIP
The pandemic has highlighted a series of paradoxes inherent to the work of leaders. What comes next will depend on how well leaders face up to them.
THE THIRD Coming
FOR DJ WAGNER, SON OF DAJUAN AND GRANDSON OF MILT—BOTH FORMER NBA PLAYERS—BASKETBALL RUNS IN HIS FAMILY’S BLOOD. OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, HE’LL USE THAT TALENT AND HIS NO. 1 RANKING IN THE CLASS OF 2023 TO LEAD CAMDEN HS TO THE TOP OF THE BASKETBALL WORLD (AGAIN).
STATE of the UNION
CHRIS PAUL HAS BEEN A NATURAL LEADER SINCE AS FAR BACK AS HE CAN REMEMBER. BUT THROUGH 2020, AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE NBPA, PAUL HAS LED ALL 450 NBA PLAYERS THROUGH THE MOST TURBULENT OF TIMES—THROUGH A PANDEMIC, A SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT, A BUBBLE, AND A SEASON THAT SOMEHOW STRETCHED 355 DAYS—AND THOSE LEADERSHIP ABILITIES HAVE BEEN MORE CRUCIAL THAN EVER. WE SPOKE WITH CP3 ABOUT THE LEGACY OF THE PAST YEAR AND MUCH MORE.
Back For More
ATHLETIC PROPULSION LABS’ first basketball sneaker got banned from the NBA because it gave wearers an “advantage.” The brothers who launched the company have returned to the game 10 years later, with a duo of brand new sneakers.
3 the HARD WAY
THREE NBA CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH THREE DIFFERENT TEAMS MEANS DANNY GREEN KNOWS A THING OR THREE ABOUT WINNING. AS HE WRITES HERE, THE THIRD WAS THE MOST SATISFYING.
3 KEYS TO HAVING A STUDENT MINDSET
We all do it. We get comfortable riding what and how we ride. Why bother stretching ourselves? Why try something different, more challenging, and unusual? Because having a student mindset focused on learning and growing will make you a safer rider. And, it’s downright fun!