LeBron James started tossing chalk in his rookie season. The drama riled up fans, so he continued the tradition. Before every game, he put talcum powder on his hands to keep them dry and then threw what was left into the air and watched it disappear. It became his signature pre-game ritual. Nike liked it so much that they used it in one of their commercials, which amusingly shows barbers throwing talcum powder up in the air as they prepare to cut customers’ hair. And then it shows people from different walks of life from a baker to a preacher throwing up talcum powder. And, of course, LeBron dunking. The ad became a powerful Just Do It spot set to the lyrics by Cornershop and quickly became a cultural phenomenon.
Topps captured LeBron’s ritual in this beautiful 2008-09 Topps Chrome Gold Refractor. The warmth of the Refractor glow pairs nicely with the Cavs colors. There's also the prestige that comes with all /50 Gold Refractors, one of the most beloved parallels in all of sports cards. Factor in the iconic photo and what it represents and the result is one of the most important LeBron James cards ever produced.
Just one copy in the BGS registry has a higher grade than this Gem Mint 9.5. Subgrades include 9.5 for Centering, Edges and Surface.
The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 03/23/2026.
