The entire 2025-26 season on NBA Topshot has been about rookies, parallels and scarcity! The entire season has been barreling toward this Rookie Revelation drop. As soon as I learned the mint count on these legendaries, my jaw dropped open, spilling hot black coffee all over my black t shirt. One of the many reasons I wear a plain black t shirt pretty much every day.
Rookie Revelation, in my opinion is in the absolute S Tier of NBA Topshot moments. Joined by legendaries from the Anthology sets (I will own the game 6 Miami Lebron legendary one day) and Finals legendaries. (JB Finals challenge reward, I am coming for you too).
The draft footage sets these moments apart for me. I don't know when the masses are going to catch on to ownership of video highlights, and with only 35 being minted, I don't have time to care to figure it out. Owning a rookies first legendary moment, from a standout game during their rookie season WITH the footage of the commish calling their name in the Barclays Center on draft night is SPECIAL.
Enter the burning auctions for Rookie Revelation. I had what I hoped to be enough Ace Bailey rare moments to burn. He's my guy! The Jazz are my team! I didn't want to burn my hexwaves, they look so damn good and I especially didn't want to burn my favorite serial; #13 Hexwave. I had been sitting in first place for a full day or two (a spot I was far from comfortable being able to hold onto). There were 3 auctions. I had friends messaging me, words of encouragement, hope, etc. Maybe I had a shot? I was nervous, because I knew I was tapped financially and was unable to buy more (which in hindsight really stings). The auction started to tick down to the final minute, I saw that I was well above the other 2, and thought I should have it! Outbid! Ok, fine, I will throw my #13 hexwave on the fire. OUTBID AGAIN! Timer expires. I had thrown every rare I owned EXCEPT my final mint Freshman Gem on the fire. My high bid? $509. The winning bid on my auctions final bid; $526. The other two auctions high bids? $430 and $395.
I was pissed. I know my financial limitations all too well. I had barely missed my opportunity for an Ace.
So, after a few days had passed, a lot of coffee and soul searching (Ok I didn't really do any soul searching), I wasn't mad anymore. I still had all my Ace's, which had now become more scarce than before, and I had grown optimistic that I will "figure something out this summer" on the Ace front...
So what now? Well, I wasn't leaving this drop empty handed. I absolutely HAD to have a Rookie Revelation. They are simply too beautifully crafted, and the epitome of a collectible; special, unique (EVERY THUMBNAIL IS DIFFERENT), and SCARCE!
So, who would I snag, if it wasn't going to be Ace? No winning lotto ticket to afford a Flagg, Harper or Kon..
My budget? 200 bucks. Maybe 230 if I stretched it! There were definitely a few dudes in my range.
The two that I really zeroed in on? Egor and Carter Bryant. Egor because he played at BYU, and Carter Bryant, because he's already a defensive stopper on a 60-win team!!!
Once I had settled between those two, the decision came quick. Franchise matters. CB will get minutes in the postseason THIS YEAR. I am not sure the Nets can get Egor to the playoffs in the next 2-3 years. (Who knows though, the East is weak!). CB could be a champ before Egor makes the postseason.
The moment is so sick! Silver calling out CB, the 14th pick, cutting to the video from a home game in March, wearing THOSE jerseys! A half-court lob from Castle and you can FEEL the energy in the moment. Spurs win. COME ON NOW!
The thumbnails? They have got to be absolutely considered as a top-3 thumbnail yet on TS.
So, I got my Carter on offer. Wasn't too fussed with serial number. I got my Rookie Revelation. I locked it within 5 minutes of owning it. I love it. I look at it every day. It definitely FEELS special. I can't wait to snag a few more from this set, before there are none left to get!
Day One Member