2023/24 Panini Contenders Optic Basketball Hobby 3 Box Break #2 - PICK YOUR TEAM

2023-24 Panini Contenders Optic Basketball has all the tickets and some of the same inserts as the season’s regular Contenders release. However, this time everything is in chrome and the configuration is something focused more on autographs and premium chase elements.

Hobby boxes have one pack of six cards. Specifics include an autograph, a pair of inserts and two parallels.

2023-24 Panini Contenders Optic Basketball Checklist Overview

With five inserts and parallels in each hobby box, that leaves room for just one base card. The end result is something that’s fairly tough to build as a complete set. It will also make singles somewhat difficult to find, at least in any significant quantity compared to other releases like Prizm and Donruss.

Base cards use the same Season Ticket theme as other Contenders releases. This includes a design inspired by the disappearing art of event tickets. Both veterans and rookies are included on the checklist. Among the many parallels are:

• Silver
• Red
• Black Pandora
• Blue – /99
• Pink – /75
• Orange – /49
• Green Pulsar – /25
• Cracked Ice – /23
• Purple – /15
• Gold – /10
• Gold Lazer – /2
• Gold Vinyl – 1/1

Black Pandora parallels are not serial numbered, but according to Panini, they are short prints.

Leading the signatures are Rookie Season Ticket Autographs. Boasting a design that’s basically the same as the main set, they have on-card signatures. Parallels include Cracked Ice (/23), Gold Lazer (/2) and Printing Plates (1/1). Variation versions for select cards are also available.

Veteran Ticket Autographs take a similar approach, only with current stars.

Other hard-signed inserts on the 2023-24 Contenders Optic checklist include 1986 Tribute Autographs and Hall of Fame-themed Induction Ticket Autographs.

First Class Ticket, Hoop Dreams, Lottery Ticket, The Numbers Game, Optic Illusion, Rookie Roundup, Superstars, Uniformity, VIPs are among the standard inserts. Red Cracked Ice (/175), Blue Cracked Ice (/75) and Green Pulsar (/25) make up some of the parallels.

Crown Jewels is another chase, albeit one that is one of the scarcest in the product.

2023-24 Panini Contenders Optic Basketball cards at a glance:

Cards per pack: Hobby – 6
Packs per box: Hobby – 1
Boxes per case: Hobby – 20
Set size: 132 cards
Release date: January 10, 2025