What an incredible stroke of luck.
The fortunate collector who got his hands on the unique NBA debut patch card of Mavericks player Cooper Flagg has shared his experience of acquiring this remarkable piece. Offers reaching into the millions have already surfaced.
“When it happened, I basically collapsed to the floor,” shared Jason Williams, a resident from Clover, South Carolina, in an interview with CNN. “It was so emotional because I realized the significance of what had just occurred.”
“It took a few moments for everything to fully sink in, but honestly, the emotions just overwhelmed me,” he added.
At 50, Williams participated in a “rest” slot for the Rhode Breakers last Monday night, all while following the livestream on his phone.
Breaking, for those unfamiliar, is a trendy aspect of the modern trading card hobby. Instead of directly purchasing the cards, collectors buy into a livestreamed opening of a box or case, with cards assigned based on the players or teams tied to each participant.
Williams invested $515 to join the Monday event, a steep price for him, but he felt it was worth every penny.
Once he saw that the Breaker had pulled the major card, he quickly switched his home TV to the livestream for the big reveal.
“It was intense,” he recalled.
This collection boasts Flagg’s rookie card, which is signed and includes the NBA debut patch he wore during his first game.
This card is indeed something special, often referred to by RhodyCards as a “unicorn.” According to Christopher Card, a Breaker, “There have been other impressive cards, but this one? It could be valued between $15,000 and $200,000. It’s just that rare.” He mentioned it’s one of the most sought-after cards in recent trading card history.
Unsurprisingly, the potential value of these cards is the centerpiece of ongoing discussions regarding their sale.
The Mavericks have provided enticing rewards for those who have drawn the cards, including 32 years of season tickets, signed merchandise, handshakes, and behind-the-scenes tours of their facilities.
The auction platform Alt launched a “Prize Auction” the day following the card’s reveal, allowing interested buyers to submit binding bids if the platform consents to accept the card for sale.
By Sunday afternoon, the bidding for this prized card had reached $3.1 million, with 12 bids placed.
Experts anticipate that the Flagg card could surpass the $1 million mark, especially given how a similar card featuring Pirates pitcher Paul Skeens sold for $1.11 million in 2025.
Other rare trading cards have recently fetched staggering amounts, like a unique Dual Gold Logo Man of Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani that went for $10 million.
Flagg, who recently received the Rookie of the Year title, advised lucky collectors not to rush into selling their cards immediately.
“Hold on a bit,” he said after signing a card at Fanatics Fest in New York City. “I believe it will appreciate in value as my career progresses, so keeping it could be a wise choice.”
For now, Williams seems to be heeding Flagg’s advice, securing his cards in a “safe place” while he plans his next steps.
“I’m not focused on the money at the moment,” Williams remarked. “What excites me are the experiences that I’ll share with my family, experiences that will create lasting memories.”
