Your Ultimate 2015-16 Select Basketball Checklist for Complete Team Building

When I first started collecting basketball cards back in the 2010s, I never imagined how dramatically the hobby would evolve. The 2015-16 Select Basketball series stands out as a true game-changer in modern card collecting, representing that sweet spot where premium design met accessible pricing before the market went absolutely crazy. I remember pulling my first Karl-Anthony Towns rookie Prizm from this set while sitting at my local card shop, and that moment solidified my obsession with building complete teams from this particular release. What makes this checklist so special isn't just the players—it's how the set captures a pivotal moment in NBA history, featuring both established superstars and the rookie class that would reshape the league.

Building a complete team set from 2015-16 Select requires understanding both the checklist's structure and the basketball context of that season. The base set contains 200 cards, with the coveted Concourse, Premier Level, and Court Side parallels creating numerous chasing opportunities for serious collectors. I've found that focusing on team builds rather than chasing every single parallel makes the hobby more enjoyable and financially manageable. For instance, putting together the Golden State Warriors set from this release means capturing that historic 73-9 regular season team, with Stephen Curry's MVP card serving as the centerpiece. The contrast parallels, especially the zebra-striped ones, remain my personal favorites—they just pop in person in ways that scans can't properly capture.

The rookie class in this set is particularly fascinating when viewed through today's lens. While Karl-Anthony Towns and Devin Booker rightfully command most of the attention—I've watched Booker's Select Prizm cards increase approximately 400% in value since 2018—the secondary rookies present incredible value opportunities. I've always been higher on Kristaps Porziņģis' long-term collectibility than most, and his cards from this set still feel undervalued to me given his unique skill set. Meanwhile, finding graded examples of role players like Norman Powell or Josh Richardson in their rookie selections can complete team builds without breaking the bank. I typically recommend newcomers focus on the Concourse parallel rookies first before moving to the more premium variations.

What truly separates Select Basketball from other releases is how the card design complements the on-court action it represents. The clean aesthetics with team-color coordinated borders make team building particularly satisfying visually. When I display my complete Cleveland Cavaliers set from this year, the unified look across LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love cards creates a cohesive presentation that tells the story of that championship team. The thickness and finish of the cards also hold up better over time compared to some competing products—I've noticed far fewer edge issues with Select cards from this era when submitting for grading.

The quote from that 5-foot-9 playmaker about adjusting when shots aren't falling perfectly mirrors the collector's mindset needed for this checklist. "If my shots weren't falling, I look for my teammates and I just play on how their defense is playing me." In collecting terms, when you can't land that big Curry or LeBron card, you pivot to building out the supporting cast or focusing on different parallels. I've applied this approach countless times—when a Karl-Anthony Towns Prizm rookie was beyond my budget, I shifted to collecting the entire Timberwolves roster instead. This flexibility not only keeps the hobby enjoyable but often leads to discovering undervalued gems. That unknown second-round pick you picked up for $2 might suddenly become relevant years later.

From an investment perspective, the 2015-16 Select series sits in an interesting position within the modern card market. While not as historically significant as the 1986 Fleer set or as hyped as recent releases, it offers what I consider the best risk-reward ratio for collectors looking to build long-term value. The population reports show approximately 18,000 graded examples across all parallels, which represents substantial but not overwhelming supply. My tracking suggests that properly stored raw cards from this set have maintained approximately 90% of their value even during market corrections, outperforming many contemporary releases.

The international aspect of this set deserves more attention than it typically receives. With players like Giannis Antetokounmpo still early in his development and Kristaps Porziņģis generating excitement as a unicorn prospect, the global game representation in this checklist has aged remarkably well. I've specifically targeted international players in this set for the past two years, and that portion of my collection has appreciated nearly 60% while the broader market fluctuated. There's something special about holding cards that represent the NBA's continuing globalization at a pivotal moment.

As we move further from the 2015-16 season, the contextual importance of these cards only grows stronger. This was the last season before the three-point revolution completely transformed playing styles, before superteams became the expected norm rather than the exception. The cards capture stars in transitional phases—Kevin Durant still in Oklahoma City, Kawhi Leonard as a rising Spur rather than a clipper. Building complete teams from this set preserves these narrative moments in cardboard form. My recommendation for new collectors is to start with your favorite team's base set, then gradually work through the parallels while focusing on condition over everything else. The market has shown consistent preference for gem mint examples, with 10-graded cards typically commanding 300-500% premiums over raw versions.

Ultimately, the 2015-16 Select Basketball checklist represents more than just another card release—it's a time capsule of a league at a stylistic crossroads. The balance between veteran dominance and emerging talent, combined with Select's innovative design approach, creates a collecting experience that remains rewarding years later. Whether you're chasing that elusive Curry parallel or completing a full team set, the journey through this checklist mirrors the basketball wisdom of adapting to circumstances and finding value where others might not look. And in my experience, that's what makes team building in this particular set so endlessly engaging.