In the 1950s, collectors primarily found basketball cards in regional issues. But Fleer brought hoops cards to the masses when it produced a 66-card mainstream set for the 1961-62 season. That release served as the first major issue for many NBA stars of the day—including Wilt Chamberlain, who debuted two years after Topps’ last mainstream offering of the era in 1957.
This rookie card coincided with Wilt’s most impressive season. In 1961-62, at 25-years old, the 7’1” phenom averaged an unprecedented 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds over 80 games. The Big Dipper also became the first and only player in league history to break the 4,000-point barrier. For context, Michael Jordan is the only other person to put up 3,000 points in a season. Chamberlain also set the All-Star Game scoring record with a 42-point performance, though it’s his 100-point outburst against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962, that stands as his masterpiece.
The 1961-62 Fleer release featured the first-year cards of NBA icons like Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, and Elgin Baylor, though Chamberlain’s rookie card remains the set’s crown jewel. Fleer’s foray into basketball (the company began producing baseball cards in 1923) helped jolt the basketball trading card market in later years, given the attractive color schemes, quality players in the 66-card set, and shortage of options from the era. The 1961-62 Fleer Wilt Chamberlain rookie card allows collectors to own a piece of history that marks the arrival of one of the sport’s most dominant figures.
Of the more than 700 copies inspected by SGC, just 15 have received a NM-MT 8 grade with only 13 ranking higher. This card has also earned Fanatics Collect–E Eye Appeal designation.
The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 01/09/2026.
This item was flash inserted on Jan 9, 2026.
