Jalen Brunson 1/1 Sapphire PSA 10 sells for $17,477

2025-26 Topps Sapphire Padparadscha #101 Jalen Brunson (#1/1) – PSA 10 Goldin Sale Breakdown

The modern basketball market keeps finding new ways to spotlight established stars, and this time it’s Jalen Brunson at the center of attention.

On May 29, 2026, Goldin sold a 2025-26 Topps Sapphire Padparadscha #101 Jalen Brunson, serial-numbered 1/1 and graded PSA GEM MT 10, for $17,477.

For collectors who track high-end parallels and one-of-ones, this is a notable data point for both Brunson and the early Topps Sapphire basketball landscape.

Card overview: what exactly sold?

Let’s start with the basics of the card:

Player: Jalen Brunson
Team: New York Knicks
Year: 2025-26
Product: Topps Sapphire
Card number: #101
Parallel: Padparadscha (1-of-1)
Serial numbering: 1/1 (the only copy produced)
Grading company: PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
Grade: GEM MT 10 (PSA’s highest standard grade for a pack-issued card)

There is no rookie-card angle here—Brunson’s true rookies come from 2018 products—but this is a key ultra-modern issue: a unique, top-tier parallel from a premium chromium set, in a perfect grade.

What is a Padparadscha parallel?

“Padparadscha” is a gemstone-inspired color parallel Topps has used in its Sapphire lines. In practice, it functions as a super-premium, one-of-one (1/1) chase parallel—one copy for the entire print run.

In the modern hobby, 1/1s are typically the highest rung on the ladder for non-autographed parallels. They sit above golds, oranges, and even most reds when it comes to stated scarcity.

Why PSA 10 matters here

A PSA 10 (GEM MT) means the card meets strict standards for centering, edges, corners, and surface. On a one-of-one, population reports don’t guide value in the same way they do with mass-produced cards, but:

A PSA 10 confirms the card is essentially pack-fresh at the highest level.
With a unique card like this, the market often treats a 10 as “the definitive copy”.

Even though there is only one copy, the grading outcome can influence how aggressively collectors are willing to bid.

Market context: where does $17,477 sit?

Comps and similar sales

Because this is a true 1/1, there are no exact repeated sales to compare directly. Instead, it helps to look at:

Other high-end Jalen Brunson parallels (1/1s, golds, and low-numbered cards) from recent years.
Comparable players’ Sapphire or 1/1 parallels in PSA 10.
How modern Topps Sapphire basketball parallels have been trending more broadly.

Across major marketplaces and auction houses, recent Brunson high-end sales have generally shown:

Premiums for low-numbered Knicks uniform cards, especially from recognized chromium brands.
A spread where rare, non-rookie 1/1s and /5s sit well above typical inserts but below his very best rookie patches and rookie autos.

Within that broader context, a $17,477 sale for a non-rookie, non-autographed, but visually striking 1/1 Sapphire parallel in a PSA 10 is:

Aggressive but explainable for collectors who prioritize unique, aesthetically strong modern pieces.
In line with how the market often treats superstar-level, non-rookie 1/1s from premium chromium sets—especially when the card design and brand both carry strong reputations.

Because 2025-26 Topps Sapphire is so recent and this is a one-of-one, we don’t yet have a long history of sales for identical Brunson cards. Instead, this Goldin result effectively sets an early benchmark for this specific issue.

Why collectors care about this card

1. Jalen Brunson’s current hobby profile

Brunson has moved firmly into star territory, particularly thanks to his play in New York. For collectors, the key factors are:

He’s become the focal point of a major-market franchise.
His performances in recent seasons and playoffs have increased both visibility and hobby interest.
There’s a growing body of Brunson collectors building focused PCs (personal collections) around Knicks-era cards.

Even though this is not a rookie card, it is a high-end representation of Brunson in his Knicks prime. For certain collectors, that matters just as much as year-one cardboard.

2. The appeal of Topps Sapphire in basketball

Topps Sapphire is a premium, low-print chromium brand that has built a strong reputation in baseball and has been crossing into basketball.

Collectors tend to value Sapphire for:

Thicker card stock and distinct, crystal-like surface.
Tighter parallel structures compared with mass retail releases.
Aesthetic consistency: many see Sapphire parallels as some of the best-looking chromium cards.

The Padparadscha parallel sits at the top of that structure, making this one of the absolute peak non-auto Brunson Sapphire cards possible.

3. 1/1 scarcity and collector psychology

In modern cards, “1/1” signals true mechanical scarcity: there is only one copy printed, regardless of demand.

That means:

There’s no opportunity to “wait for the next one”; this auction may be the only time this card appears publicly for years.
Valuation becomes more about what the top interested bidder is willing to pay in that specific moment than about rigid price ladders.

For player collectors and high-end modern buyers, these dynamics can justify paying significantly above what serial-numbered parallels (/5, /10, /25) might normally suggest.

Ultra-modern era considerations

This card comes from what most hobbyists would call the ultra-modern era (roughly mid-2010s to present), which carries some distinct traits:

Higher overall print runs, but heavily tiered rarity: base cards are plentiful, while top parallels like this are extremely scarce.
More fragmented chase structure, with many different parallels, inserts, and case hits.
A strong emphasis on grading and condition, especially with high-end chromium products.

In that environment, unique, graded 1/1s from strong brands often emerge as focal points for serious collectors who want “the best example” they can point to for a player.

What this sale might signal (without overpromising)

This Goldin result on May 29, 2026 doesn’t rewrite the entire Brunson market on its own, but it does offer a few practical takeaways:

Sapphire and high-end parallels remain relevant.
Collectors are still willing to pay strong numbers for visually striking 1/1s in PSA 10, even outside of rookie-year content.
Prime-era star cards can stand on their own.
While rookie cards and rookie patches autos (RPAs) remain the traditional anchors, this shows continued appetite for unique, non-rookie parallels of established stars.
One-of-ones don’t provide simple “comps.”
A “comp” is a comparable recent sale that helps estimate value. For a unique card like this, comps can only be approximate. Each auction reflects the specific bidders in the room, current sentiment on the player, and broader market conditions.

For buyers, sellers, and collectors building Brunson or Knicks-focused collections, this sale is best treated as a reference point rather than a strict benchmark. It helps frame expectations for similar 1/1 or low-numbered Brunson cards, but it shouldn’t be read as a guaranteed target price.

How this fits into a Brunson or Knicks PC

If you’re building a Brunson or Knicks PC, this card highlights some useful collecting paths:

High-end parallels: Sapphire, gold refractors, and serial-numbered chromium parallels from key years.
Prime Knicks-era cards: Even if you focus on rookies, adding at least one standout Knicks-era parallel or auto can round out the story of his career.
Condition-focused collecting: In ultra-modern, PSA 10 (or equivalent top grades) often become the “default target” for cornerstone cards, especially on chromium stock.

Not everyone will chase a $17,000+ one-of-one, but understanding why this card sold where it did can help you evaluate more accessible options in the same ecosystem.

Final thoughts

The 2025-26 Topps Sapphire Padparadscha #101 Jalen Brunson (#1/1) PSA GEM MT 10 that sold for $17,477 at Goldin on May 29, 2026 is a clean example of how:

Modern chromium design, 1/1 scarcity, and a premium grade intersect.
An established star in a big market can command serious attention even outside his rookie year.
One auction can set a practical reference point for future modern, high-end Brunson sales.

For collectors watching the intersection of ultra-modern parallels, New York stars, and PSA 10 scarcity, this is a sale worth bookmarking—less as a prediction tool, and more as a clear snapshot of where the hobby currently values a unique Brunson centerpiece.