Panini Signs Five Top NBA Draft Prospects
By Stephen Laroche | Beckett Basketball Editor
The 2015 NBA Draft will take place tonight, but Panini America has already been busy inking exclusive trading card deals with five prospects that are projects to be selected in the first round.
Jahlil Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns, Emmanuel Mudiay, D’Angelo Russell, and Jerian Grant will be a big part of the company’s plans for next season as they will be a part of products in their collegiate and NBA lineups. The Minnesota Timberwolves have the first pick and many believe that they will choose Towns.
“The NBA Draft is always a key time for us at Panini America because it signifies the official start to a new season – and the grand introduction of the NBA’s next wave of superstars,” said Panini’s CEO, Mark Warsop. “Many of the players selected Thursday night – including the five newest exclusive members of the Panini America family – will be driving forces for our licensed trading card products for years to come; and that’s just as exciting for fans and collectors as it is for us.”
How many other NBA prospects has Panini signed? Find out after the jump.
The company stated in a press release issued today that they have already come to an agreement with over 50 players that are eligible for selection today.
Panini will also be busy on social media throughout the event and is set to unveil the first NBA cards of players as they are picked via their Twitter and Instagram feeds.
Stephen Laroche is the editor of Beckett Basketball and Beckett Hockey magazines. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an e-mail to him at slaroche@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Stephen_Laroche.
After looking at a beautiful set like Stadium Club, I come to this news. Panini cannot make a pretty sports card. Who buys this?