Karl Malone, an American basketball player, is highly regarded as one of the greatest Power Forwards (PF) in NBA history. He currently holds the record for the most career free throws made in NBA history (9,787).
Malone ranks third in career points scored (36,928), trailing only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lebron James. He earned the nickname, The “Mailman,” for the way he always “delivered.” In 1996, Malone was named as one of the 50 all-time greatest players in the NBA. He also won two NBA MVP Awards, although many believe Michael Jordan should have won the 1997 award.
Malone attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA. In 1985, he was drafted into the NBA and picked to play for the Utah Jazz. Weighing 260 pounds and measuring 6 feet 9 inches tall, Malone quickly proved himself as a strong power forward.
Malone is also known for his highly regimented workout routines and his longevity of performance. The Mailman developed great chemistry with Utah Jazz teammate John Stockton and the two perfected the art of the pick and roll.
Thanks to Malone, the Jazz reached the play-offs in every season he was on the team. During his career, the Jazz didn’t win a championship. However, in 1998 and 1999, Malone led the team to the NBA finals but unfortunately lost to the Chicago Bulls both times.
In the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, Malone was a member of the Dream Team and won gold medals. In 1997 and 1999, Malone was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player.
Malone played his final season with the Jazz and joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2003-2004. He helped them make the NBA finals but lost to the Detroit Pistons. At Louisiana Tech in 2007, Malone became the assistant strength-and-conditioning coach and earned the name of the Director of Basketball Promotions.
In 2013, Malone became the Jazz’s coach for post players. Malone was admitted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
15 Most Expensive Karl Malone Basketball Cards
Malone’s impressive career has established his status among the NBA community. In this section, we’ll list Karl Malone’s 15 most expensive basketball cards.
1. 1986 Fleer Basketball Karl Malone Rookie Basketball Card
Current Value: $15,995
This basketball card is currently priced at $15,995 on eBay (graded PSA 10 Gem Mint), making this the most expensive Karl Malone basketball card on our list.
For avid card collectors, there’s no better place to start than his rookie card in the 1986-87 Fleer Basketball. The year 1986 was Malone's first season in the NBA. After averaging about 15 points and approximately 9 rebounds, he secured a spot on the 1986 NBA All-Rookie Team after placing third in the Rookie of the Year votes.
The rookie card was produced by Fleer for the 1986-87 season. The 1986 Fleer is set is known for the recognizable Michael Jordan Rookie card that recently sold for almost a quarter of a million dollars.
2. 1987 Fleer Basketball Karl Malone Rookie Basketball Card
With an asking price of $3,000, this rookie Karl Malone basketball card is in mint condition. Produced in 1987 by Fleer, this card attributes its value to Malone’s early years.
Between February and April of 1987, Malone was the leading scorer of 24 games. In his second season, he averaged 21.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game for the Utah Jazz.
Throughout the 1987-1988 season, Malone began his offensive play partnership with point guard Stockton.
3. 1992-93 Upper Deck All-Star Weekend Karl Malone Basketball Card
Current Value: $1,992.93
In 1992, Malone earned a spot on the NBA All-Star game for the fifth time out of seven seasons. This all-star basketball card was produced during the 1992-93 season and is currently valued at $1,992.93.
Malone finished the 1991–92 season second in the league in scoring, averaging 28.0 points per game.
Malone began his 1992-1993 season on a high by scoring his 15,000th career point on November 20 against team Indiana Pacers.
4. 1997-98 Skybox Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Karl Malone #97 #/100
Current Value: $1,999
Priced at $1,199, this 1997-98 Karl Malone Basketball Card is a staple collectors card for NBA fans. Many consider Skybox Metal Universe Basketball Parallels as some of the best inserts, making this particular card a highly valued item.
In fact, a 1997 Michael Jordan Skybox Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green recently became the 20th most expensive sports card ever sold when it sold for over $900,000 at Heritage Auctions. If that is the 20th most expensive sports card, can you imagine the prices on the first 19? Check out the full list here
5. 1996-97 Fleer Karl Malone Basketball Card
Current Value: $1,000
Produced in the 1996-97 season, this Fleer Basketball card is valued at exactly $1,000. In 1996, Malone renewed his contract with the Utah Jazz.
After winning a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics, Malone led the Jazz to two back-to-back NBA Finals.
Throughout the 1996–97 season, Malone averaged over 27 points per game while assisting the Jazz to a 64-18 record—the most consistent season victories in the Jazz's history.
6. 1997-98/1999-00 SP Authentic Sign of the Times Karl Malone
Current Value: $570
Valued at $579, this 1997-98 Sign of the Times Karl Malone card is part of one of the most regular insert lines from Upper Deck and Karl Malone. The 1997-98 version is particularly intriguing due to the die-cut design.
All the way into the late 1990s, Malone boasted an impressive career, helping the team qualify for two NBA finals.
7. 1990-91 Fleer Karl Malone Utah Jazz 188 Basketball Card
Current Value: $500
Paying homage to Malone’s 1990-91 season, this basketball card is valued at $500. During the 1989-90 NBA season, Malone grew his total score to 31 points and his rebound count to over 11 per game. That same year, Malone made the All-NBA First Team.
Malone completed his 1991–92 season placing second in the league for scoring, boasting an exact average of 28 points per game. He was selected for the All-NBA First Team for the fourth consecutive year.
8. 2000 Fleer Tradition Feel the Game Worn Karl Malone
This Karl Malone Fleer Basketball Card was produced in the year 2000 and costs $352 in Mint Condition.
Despite his advancing age, Malone averaged a total of 22.9 points in his last four seasons with Utah. During the 2002–2003 season, Malone came in second on the list of highest scorers with 36,374 points.
9. 1993-94 Topps Finest Refractor Karl Malone #215
Produced in 1993-94, this Karl Malone Topps Finest Refractor is currently priced at $299 on eBay.
This particular 1993-94 Topps Finest card is commonly recognized by collectors for it’s unique designs and colors. This listing includes both the main base card (#215) and the Midwest's Finest subset (#112).
Malone is especially known for his stellar performance throughout his early 1990s career, which contributes to this card’s value.
10. 1991-92 Pro Set Prototypes Karl Malone Psa 9 Mint Utah Jazz
Valued at $259, this Pro Set Prototype Karl Malone Basketball Card was produced during his 1991-92 season.
After finishing the 1991-92 season as the second highest scorer, Malone one again made the All-NBA First Team for the fourth year in a row.
For the first time in Utah Jazz history, the team made the Western Conference Finals during the 1992 NBA Playoff. Throughout the season, Malone scored over 40 points within five games.
11. 1989 Karl Malone NBA Hoops 116 Rare All Star Collector Card
Produced during the 1989 basketball season, this Karl Malone All Star Collector Card is valued at $220.
During the 1989 season, Malone scored 28 points and led his team to a 143-134 victory. On average, he scored 29.1 points per game.
During the 1989-90 season, Malone grew his rebounding to 11.1 and scoring to 31 points per game. Malone was again chosen to participate on the All-NBA First Team.
12. 1997-98 Bowman's Best Autographs Refractors Karl Malone #13
Valued at $199.95, this Bowman’s Best Autograph card was produced in Malone’s 1997-98 season. The 1997-98 Bowman's Best included a unique autograph, including a base autograph for Karl Malone.
In both 1997 and 1998, Malone reached the NBA finals, but lost to the Chicago Bulls twice.
13. 1999 Ultimate Victory Karl Malone Ultimate Collection 82 Psa 9 Mint
Produced during the 1999 season, this mint-condition Ultimate Victory Karl Malone Basketball Card is valued at $199.
In late 1998, during the 1998-99 NBA lockout, Malone announced that he would request a trade from the Jazz after the end of the lockout.
In 1999, Malone scored 28 points, leading the Jazz to win Game 5 of the NBA playoffs.
14. 1996 Skybox EX2000 Karl Malone Credentials
Any Skybox EX2000 card from the 90's will show up on a Most Valuable Basketball card list. In top condition, these cards can sell for anywhere from $300-$2000.
By 1987/1988, Malone established himself as the foundation of offense for the Utah Jazz. In 1988, Malone was selected for his first All-Star Game with 27.1 points per game. By the end of the season, he made his first All-NBA team.
15. 1993-94 Fleer Ultra Career Highlights Karl Malone Autographs
Coming in as the lowest-priced item on our list, this Ultra Fleer Karl Malone Basketball Card is valued at $89.
This particular card is part of a set of 10 found in 1993-94. The Ultra Fleer Career Highlights autographs were the signed version of a base insert set that paid homage to Malone's career in the NBA.
Being the first certified Karl Malone autograph card, this card holds a lot of significance to collectors.
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