Willis Reed was one of the most iconic and respected figures in the history of the NBA and it's not just New York Knicks fans who are mourning his loss at age 80 on March 21, 2023. During 10 blockbuster years in the league, this towering center led the Knicks to two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973, claiming the MVP title for himself each time. Add to that 7 NBA All-Star appearances as well as being named Rookie of the Year in 1965, and it’s clear his on-court accomplishments deserve to be immortalized on trading cards highlighting his career.
In honor of this Basketball Hall of Famer, for whom the Knicks retired the number 19, here are 7 excellent Willis Reed cards that celebrate the legacy of this exceptional player for you to add to your basketball card collection. We’ve included cards at a variety of values to suit any budget, too.
The Top 7 Willis Reed Basketball Cards
7. 2012 Panini Select Silver Prizm Willis Reed #143
For a collectible that’s still affordable for any fan, let’s start with this 2012 Panini Select Prizm # 143 Willis Reed card from set that honored the greatest basketball players of all time. This dynamic shot of Willis Reed mid-game with a knee brace on his left leg reminds players that he was famous for soldiering on with injuries and still delivered at the net. Copies of this gorgeous card can be had for under $20, although they may begin to rise as more people seek a chance to add a Willis Reed card to their collection in his memory. Now is an ideal time to pick one up.
6. 1996 Topps Stars Finest Atomic Refractor Willis Reed #137
Continuing with more modern cards, this limited edition 1996 Topps Stars Finest Atomic Refractors #137 Willis Reed card was part of the 1996 Topps Stars set that also honored the biggest and best names in NBA basketball history. In addition to the 150 card main set, Topps produced these “Atomic” refractor cards to add an extra sheen to the action shots they caught of a bunch of iconic players. This is another affordable and welcome addition to a Willis Reed card collection, once again putting him where he belonged, with the most impressive players to ever run on an NBA court. And, yes - in true Willis Reed style, he’s playing through another knee injury with no complaints and no effect on his game.
5. 1971 Topps Willis Reed #30
This 1971 Topps Willis Reed #30 card is notable for its quirky design with that 1960s-into-the-1970s focus on the face and torso of the featured player. Yet, Topps was starting to experiment with more action shots that would lead to more dynamic photography in the years ahead. This picture depicts the mighty Knicks forward in motion, yet still with an eye on the camera. It’s an arresting image on a field of yellow with quirky multi-font text throughout. Taken from a period where Reed continued to lead the Knicks to much success, the bold design and color scheme add a sense of nostalgia to the card, transporting collectors back to a golden era of basketball. While the card’s value has been trending down recently, a PSA 10 Gem Mint copy was sold in August 2019 for $1,750.
4. 1968 Topps Test Willis Reed #7
Despite being 1965’s NBA Rookie of the Year, Willis Reed’s rookie card didn’t actually come out that year because Topps did not start regular production of basketball cards until later. Before they did, they printed a small set of cards in 1968 to test out what they would do. The population of these sample cards is tiny since they were never officially released. If you can find one in any condition, it’s worth snapping it up because the last 1968 Topps Test Willis Reed #7 on Cardbase’s record was in December 2022 and it went for over $6,000.
3. 1970 Topps Willis Reed #150
This 1970 Topps Willis Reed #150 card is important in Willis Reed’s career because it hails from 1970. That was a banner year that saw Reed win both the NBA MVP and the Finals MVP awards. The design includes a captivating action shot of Reed, capturing his intensity on the court in a then-traditional ‘Tall Boy’ design. That’s a reference not to Reed’s 6 '10' ' height but to Topps cards of the time that were taller than traditional sports cards, but of the same width.
This card is an excellent addition to any collection, as it represents one of the most significant moments in Reed's career. It’s also among the most expensive Willis Reed cards, with PSA Mint cards going for over $1,200.
2. 1973-74 Topps Willis Reed #105
This Topps 1973-74 Topps Willis Reed #105 card celebrates the second time Willis Reed would win both the NBA MVP and Finals MVP awards, leading the Knicks to another championship. This is why he earned the nickname, “The Captain.” Reed’s commanding presence on the court can easily be felt with this exceptional action shot where you can tell he’s about to take command of the ball.
By this time, Topps had started down the path of more powerful action photography on their cards, which would change the face of trading cards for the next couple of decades. This is also a card you can find out there for a reasonable price, but a mint copy will not come cheap. In PSA Gem Mint 10 condition, a copy of this iconic card sold for $3,130 in September 2022.
1. 1969 Topps Willis Reed Rookie Card #60
The 1969-70 Topps Willis Reed Rookie Card (#60) is an ideal card for the serious collector who wants to add a Reed card to their collection. This card features a young Reed in his New York Knicks uniform, capturing the essence of his early career.
The card boasts a vintage look, with a simplistic yet classic layout that focuses attention on Reed's powerful image. As the first official trading card for this legendary player, this rookie card holds significant value and it will only become more of a collector’s item as his legacy lives on. While pricing has been lower of late, back in July 2016, a rare PSA 10 Gem Mint copy sold for $12,722.
NOTE: A reprint of this card was issued in 1996 with a different back and some of the cards were autographed. While also valuable due to the autograph, the 1996 Topps Finest Reprints Refractors #37 cards are more widely available and priced considerably lower.
Best Basketball Cards to honor Willis Reed’s Legacy
Willis Reed's impressive career and enduring legacy are encapsulated in these key 7 trading cards. While fans mourn his loss, collecting these pieces of sports history help pay tribute to one of the greatest players in NBA history. They also give us fans a way to enjoy a true piece of basketball heritage. We usually see a spike in prices after a sports legend passes so now is the time to add a Willis Reed card to your collection. Keep an eye on his player page on Cardbase to watch for pricing and Hot Deals on cards you can obtain to add a Willis Reed card to your collection.
1996 Topps Stars Finest Atomic Refractor Willis Reed #137
