AJ Dybantsa Named Cover Athlete for 2026 Topps Flagship Basketball

Washington Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa will be the face of the 2026-27 Topps Flagship Basketball card set, Topps announced on September 28, 2026. The 19-year-old was selected first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Wizards and is now featured on the cover of the upcoming flagship trading card release.

Dybantsa, who has yet to play his first NBA regular-season game, is already generating significant buzz as a promising talent. The promotional image from Topps shows him in the Wizards’ No. 4 jersey, giving fans an early glimpse of the rookie in team colours.

Reflecting on the honour, Dybantsa told ESPN that being chosen as the cover athlete is meaningful, especially given Topps’ long-standing history in the trading card hobby. He began collecting cards himself this year after starting to sign autographs and currently owns around 100 important cards, including signed and numbered editions.

The 2026-27 Topps Flagship Basketball set will include a 300-card base checklist featuring 40 rookies. Alongside Dybantsa, other top draft picks such as Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson, and Keaton Wagler will be highlighted. Collectors can look forward to various special card versions, including Rookie Photo Shoot Autographs, Golden Mirror Image Variations, Number Variations, Team Colour Borders, Wood Variations, and new Clear Variations printed on acetate and limited to 10 copies.

Autograph content is a key feature of the release, with Real One Autographs and rookie-focused signature cards included. The Hobby Jumbo boxes guarantee one autograph and one relic card per box, making Dybantsa’s rookie cards a major chase item for collectors, especially Wizards fans.

Preorders for the 2026-27 Topps Flagship Basketball set begin on October 6, 2026, with the product expected to reach stores around late October. This timing aligns with the start of Dybantsa’s NBA career, offering fans and collectors the chance to acquire his official rookie cards as he begins his professional journey.