LeBron Raymone James Sr. is arguably the best player in NBA history, and even for those who are with Michael Jordan -- yes, I understand where you are coming from -- James is still a top-two or at worst, a top-three player all-time. King James has had such a long career that he is already making plans to play with his 16-year-old son LeBron James Jr. aka "Bronny." The 36-year-old James Sr. made his debut in 2003 after the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him No. 1 overall in the 2003 NBA draft.

After winning the 2003-04 Rookie of the Year Award, James continued to show his unlimited potential with an impressive 17 consecutive all-star years of at least 25 points per game, six rebounds per game, and six assists per game from 2004-05 to 2020-21. Not only did James put up the individual statistics, but he has also led three different franchises to a combined four NBA championships, and he was the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in each of the years that he won the title.

James' accolades are endless, as he also has four regular season MVP awards, 13 All-NBA First Team selections, and five All-Defensive First Team selections. The six-foot, nine-inch 250-pound point forward has had a rollercoaster career, but he has remained a tremendous basketball player in his two stints with the Cavaliers as well as during his time with the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. Here are the most valuable LeBron James cards sold on eBay over the last 90 days.

#17

2003 Upper Deck SPx LeBron James RC #151 #'d/750

Recent sale: $22,333

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Let us kick off this impressive list with a 2003 Upper Deck SPx card. More than half of the top 17 are Upper Deck cards, and we have three from SP sets, which are spread out on the list. SPx debuted for basketball in 1996. The Upper Deck website states the term "SP" stands for Short Print, but it does not state specifically the SP sets have a specific meaning for the acronym.

This BGS 9.5 SPx rookie autograph jersey rookie card has a centered BGS 10 autograph and just three percent of its counterparts have a higher grade than this 2003 Upper Deck SPx LeBron James rookie card. BGS 9.5 accounts for 33 percent of the cards that have been sold, and 11 percent of the cards graded are PSA/BGS 10+. Three percent of the cards graded are BGS 10+, which is the third-most on this list.

BGS is harsh to these James cards. As you will see throughout this list, BGS 10+ will not be frequently seen. Fewer than half of the top 17 on the list have any BGS 10+ cards as a part of their respective populations. Meanwhile, 88 percent of the cards on the list have PSA 10 counterparts.

#16

2007 Topps Finest LeBron James Gold Refractors #40 #'d/25

Recent sale: $23,000

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Just one week after the conclusion of the 2008 NBA Finals, the 2007-08 Finest set was released. James and the Cavaliers had lost earlier in the postseason and were unable to win a championship during his first stint in Cleveland.

However, his cards during the late 2000s are no less valuable. This Topps card ranks 16th on this list and is a part of a set that includes many Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers, including James. Interestingly, he is one of just two Cavaliers in the entire 130-card set. The other is journeyman J.J. Hickson, who is no longer in the league.

65 percent of these LeBron cards sold have a grade of BGS 9.5 -- that mark is the second highest on the list. 10 percent of the cards seen are PSA/BGS 10+. Of the Topps Finest LeBron James Gold Refractors seen by BGS, 65 percent of the cards sold are BGS 9.5, which is the highest grade given by BGS. Those who own these BGS 9.5 Topps Finest Gold Refractors are sure to bring in the big bucks for this card as James continues to pad his Hall of Fame resume.

#15

2003 Upper Deck Black Diamond LeBron James 24 Karat Signatures RC #LJ #'d/100

Recent sale: $23,211

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Now let us head back in time again with yet another Upper Deck James rookie card, as we venture to the 2003-04 Upper Deck Black Diamond set. Our first PSA card on the list is an impressive PSA 10, and this rookie card also includes a signature on the lower third.

The year 2003 was perfect timing for the debut of Upper Deck Black Diamond basketball cards, as it was right in time for the James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade rookie cards. The 2002-03 Cavaliers, who went 17-65, received the first overall pick and changed the franchise forever with the selection of James.

Of the Upper Deck Black Diamond 24 Karat Signatures cards sold, 48 percent of them have a grade of PSA 10, and that percentage is ranked third on the list. This card is commonly graded PSA/BGS 10+, as it also has the third-highest percentage (19 percent) of PSA/BGS 10+ cards on this list. The image of the youthful James on the front and back of the card looks to be from the same rookie photoshoot as the 17th card on the list.

#14

2003 Topps Finest LeBron James Refractor RC #133 #'d/250

Recent sale: $23,375

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We keep alternating with Upper Deck and Topps Finest, as the No. 14 card is of the Topps variety. This PSA 8 card is tied for the second-lowest grade on this list, and 58 percent of the 2003 Topps Finest Refractor cards seen have a higher grade than this one. The 58 percent mark is the second-highest one on this list.

Just 30 percent of these cards sold have a grade of PSA 8. 19 percent of the PSA population have PSA 10 grades while there are no BGS 10 or Black Labels. With just five percent of these 2003 Topps Finest Refractors having PSA/BGS 10+, it is one of the lowest percentages on this list. This card would bring in an even prettier penny if it was a PSA 9 or 10.

This card is the first of four cards on this list with James sporting a white Cavaliers game jersey, and two of which are top LeBron James rookie cards. This card has a unique picture of James blowing a bubble with his gum on the back of the card. An interesting fact about LeBron is the NBA star had his own brand of gum called "LeBron's Lightning Lemonade Bubblicious Chewing Gum."

#13

2006 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Autographs Patches #AP-LJ #'d/100

Recent sale: $23,600

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Our first card of the list from the 2006-07 season is also our first that includes a non-red jersey patch. Upper Deck Exquisite Collection has plenty of impressive James cards, including one that set the record for the highest price for a card ever. We will get back to that story later on this list.

Meanwhile, collectors have an even smaller chance of getting a PSA/BGS 10+ Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Autographs Patches card than No. 14 on this list. Just two percent of the ones seen are PSA/BGS 10+, and that ranks as the lowest on this list among cards that have at least one PSA/BGS 10+ card. Since this card is one of the most condition sensitive of these top 17, the highest grades are arguably the most valuable.

92 percent of the cards seen have been graded by BGS, and that mark ranks as the second-highest one on this list. PSA continues to be the easier grader, as 20 percent of the cards seen are PSA 10. We have another goose egg of BGS 10+ cards here, and 22 percent of the cards seen by BGS have a higher grade than this BGS 9 card. 47 percent of the cards sold are BGS 9, which makes this a relatively common grade for this Autographs Patches card.

#12

2008 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Scripted Swatches #LJ #'d/23

Recent sale: $23,653

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As you may be able to tell, James' No. 23 jersey number is found in each of the last six prices -- five of which have gone for at least $23,000 -- including the one for this card. We jump two years from the previous card to the 2008-09 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection.

When comparing this BGS 8.5 card to its counterparts, we have just 20 percent of cards sold that have a higher grade. Also, 91 percent of the cards seen have been graded by BGS, as the favoring of BGS over PSA continues. The 91 percent mark ranks third on this list.

This jersey patch card, which includes an autograph on the patch itself, is the first of two cards on this list to not have any PSA/BGS 10+ cards graded, which makes this a very condition sensitive card. If anyone can find an Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Scripted Swatches with a grade of at least BGS 9.5, then it will bring back a very strong return.

#11

2007 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Noble Nameplates #NP-LJ #'d/25

Recent sale: $24,900

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The Upper Deck streak continues, as we get closer to the $25,000 threshold with another Upper Deck Exquisite Collection James card. Yet again, BGS is very popular, and for this card, 94 percent of cards seen have been graded by BGS, which is the highest percentage on this list.

Now, as far as its BGS 9 grade, that accounts for a whopping 69 percent of the sold card grade's population, which ranks as the highest on this list. Meanwhile, this BGS 9 grade is the highest of any of these cards seen, while 100 percent of the PSA population is PSA 10.

This card of LeBron appears to be a common theme from Upper Deck. The company likes to go with the NBA superstar in his blue Cleveland uniform along with a jersey patch and a blue autograph. These valuable Upper Deck cards are found throughout the list, as will we see four more in the top 10.

#10

2020 Panini Prizm LeBron James Flashback Prizm Gold #6 #'d/10

Recent sale: $29,000

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As we enter the top 10 of this impressive list, we have our only Panini card and the only one that depicts James in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey. Also, it is the only card on the list that is from 2010 or later. It is a surprise that after seeing seven Cavaliers cards, we have a Lakers one instead of a card with James in a Miami Heat jersey. In fact, this is the only card of the top 17 that is of James in a uniform other than a Cavaliers one.

Let us take a look into some possible reasons why this is the only card of the top 17 that James is in a non-Cleveland uniform. Of course, James began his career with the Cavaliers, so since his rookie cards are so valuable, it makes sense to see him in Cavaliers jerseys. There also is some recency bias, as James joined the Lakers starting with the 2018-19 season. Additionally, while LeBron won his first and second championships with the Heat, he spent just four of his first 17 NBA seasons in Miami.

The best offer was accepted for this James card, as the original list price was $39,999, which is more than $10,000 above the actual price it was bought at. The interesting part about this card is that, similarly to No. 12 on this list, it has no current PSA/BGS 10+ counterparts.

However, it is a PSA 7 card, which is the lowest grade of any card on this list. 67 percent of cards seen have a higher grade than this card, and that mark is unsurprisingly the highest of any card on this list.

#9

2003 Upper Deck MVP LeBron James RC #201

Recent sale: $29,000

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Wow, we get to see true royalty with this card, as the only Black Label card on the list makes its presence known. Here we have another Upper Deck LeBron rookie card, and the LeBron James rookie card price here is under $30,000. You can find the first-round rookie cards at the end of the 2003-04 Upper Deck MVP set, and they are in order by draft order.

The best offer was accepted for this card as well, as the original list price was $44,900. The difference between the list and purchase prices is even larger than that of the previous card.

Of the thousands of Upper Deck MVP LeBron James rookie cards seen, 30 percent are PSA/BGS 10+, which ranks as the second-highest mark on this list. However, just 0.2 percent of the cards seen by BGS have the Black Label grade, which means that having this card in impressive condition is rare.

#8

2003 Upper Deck SP Authentic LeBron James RC #148 #'d/500

Recent sale: $40,100

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Here is where we take the bridge from below $30,000 to above $40,000, as we move to the heavy hitters. This next autograph card is the second of three of the Upper Deck SP variety. The autograph is a pristine BGS 10 and has a much smaller pop than the previous card.

PSA has been much kinder to the holders of the 2003-04 SP Authentic LeBron James Autographs, which is numbered of 500. 11 percent of the cards graded are PSA/BGS 10+, but 36 percent of PSA cards graded are PSA 10+ while BGS is much harsher on this card: 0.3 percent of BGS cards graded are BGS 10+.

This Upper Deck rookie card is a simple red and white card with a young LeBron, and this card has four parallels, including the Autographs Limited and Autographs Limited Extra cards. Although these cards are relatively commonly found for sale, they seem to consistently sell for a pretty penny.

#7

2003 Topps LeBron James 1st Edition RC #221

Recent sale: $46,800

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We are back to the simple-looking rookie cards, as this special 2003-04 Topps 1st Edition card received a PSA 10 grade. These cards are often found in good condition as it has 13 percent of its counterparts also with a PSA/BGS 10+ grade. 23 percent of the LeBron James 1st Edition rookie cards seen by PSA have this PSA 10 grade.

The card depicting an excited James holding his No. 23 jersey is the second of three cards on this list that did not have a limited print run. Like the previously similar card (No. 9), PSA was once again very popular, as it graded 54 percent of the cards, the third most of any card on this list. The No. 9 card had the second-highest mark at 61 percent.

This impressive LeBron James Topps card is not the last PSA 10 card on the list. We will get to see two more PSA 10 cards in the top six.

#6

2004 Topps Chrome LeBron James Black Refractor #23 #'d/500

Recent sale: $48,500

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We continue with another Topps PSA 10 card -- this one is from the 2004-05 Topps Chrome set, which had a grand total of 220 cards in the set. Similar to No. 7 on this list, the PSA 10 cards are relatively abundant, as 22 percent of the cards graded by PSA have a PSA 10 grade. Overall, 10 percent of the cards seen are PSA/BGS 10+ due to there being absolute zero BGS 10+ cards.

However, having a highly graded PSA card is not that much of a drawback for this list because there will be a very highly priced PSA 10 card later on this list. The reason why this PSA 10 card did not crack the top five on the list is possibly due to it having a print run of 500 cards. The relative commonality of the PSA 10 grade for this Topps Chrome Black Refractor kept this price below $50,000, but it still brought back an impressive return.

#5

2003 Fleer Skybox E-X LeBron James Essential Credentials Now RC #102 #'d/102

Recent sale: $50,000

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We have a rare sighting on the list, and it is a Fleer card. This Skybox E-X LeBron James Essential Credentials Now card is only a PSA 8, but it still got to the top five on this list. The best offer was accepted for this card.

This card is relatively condition sensitive, as just four percent of the cards seen are PSA/BGS 10+, and that mark ranks 12th on the list. However, the reason that this card is not higher on this list is that 34 percent of the cards seen by PSA have a higher grade than PSA 8, and that percentage ranks as the third-highest one on this list.

This PSA 8 grade is not that common, as only 15 percent of these LeBron Essential Credentials Now rookie cards have this grade. The 15 percent mark is among the lowest on this list, so someone with a better grade can get closer to six digits in terms of price.

#4

2003 Upper Deck SP Signature LeBron James Famous Nicknames "Bron" RC #FN-LJ2 #'d/25

Recent sale: $65,100

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Well, this is an interesting looking card. Prior to LeBron being known as King James, he had the "Bron" nickname, and that is featured on this BGS 9.5 card. Unfortunately, this BGS 9.5 grade is not as strong because this card is not condition sensitive. It has the highest percentage of PSA/BGS 10+ cards on this list at 32 percent. 26 percent of the BGS population is BGS 10+, which is the highest mark for any card on this list.

With the high percentage of PSA/BGS 10+ cards, it is understandable that 26 percent of the Upper Deck SP Signature LeBron James Famous Nicknames "Bron" rookie card counterparts have a higher grade than this BGS 9.5 card. This BGS 9.5 card still topped $65,000 on eBay though.

#3

2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Patches Autographs RC #AP-LJ #'d/100

Recent sale: $73,653

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This card looks awfully familiar -- it has a resemblance to the record-setting $5.2 million card sold, which also was an Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch card. The above card, the No. 3 ranking on this list, has the jersey patch with the letter "E," has a print run of 100, and it has a BGS 8 grade. Meanwhile, the $5.2 million card has the letter "R," has a print run of 23, and is a BGS 9. Just two cards have a better grade than the very valuable BGS 9 card, which was an Exquisite Collection Rookie Parallel rookie card and is the most expensive basketball card ever sold. It also tied the 1952 Mickey Mantle card at $5.2 million. That card was sold in January 2021.

With regard to the Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Patches Autographs rookie card, 33 percent of its counterparts have a higher grade. That mark is the fourth-highest one on this list, but only three percent of the cards seen are PSA/BGS 10+. Therefore, this card is relatively condition sensitive, but the fact that it is a BGS 8 prevented it from not reaching the heights of the top two cards on this list.

#2

2003 Topps Chrome LeBron James Refractor RC #111

Recent sale: $94,223

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Let us continue the string of LeBron rookie cards, as this Topps Chrome card is here in the upper echelon of the list. At an impressive price of above $94,000 -- which is $20,000 more than the No. 3 card on this list -- this PSA 10 card is an impressive sighting. This card did not have a limited print run, so since the card itself is not rare, the fact that it is a PSA 10 makes it very valuable.

28 percent of the cards graded by PSA are PSA 10, while overall just 12 percent of the cards are PSA/BGS 10+. Therefore, PSA has been kinder to collectors of this card, which depicts LeBron fading away against NBA champion Ben Wallace. It still has the No. 2 spot on this list, as it is very close to the six-digit category.

#1

2003 Topps Pristine LeBron James Refractors Gold RC #102 #'d/99

Recent sale: $100,000

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The most expensive LeBron James card on this list is another Topps one. The 2003-04 Topps Pristine set included three Refractors Gold cards, each numbered of 99, for many of the rookies that year. The second of the three cards -- in order -- accounts for the top spot on this list.

The only card of the top 17 to have LeBron in a white practice jersey is also the only one with a six-digit price tag. Just three percent of the counterparts are PSA/BGS 10+, which makes this card relatively condition sensitive. Interestingly, none of the cards of the aforementioned three percent are BGS 10+, which means that this BGS 9.5 is the highest grade of any Topps Pristine LeBron James Refractors Gold rookie card in the BGS population.

24 percent of the BGS population has a BGS 9.5 grade, which makes this card relatively common, so there are plenty of collectors that have a great return from this card.

Conclusion

Topps finished off the list with two impressive James cards that both were well above the price of the top two Upper Deck cards. Topps also had four of the top seven. Although Fanatics is set to replace Topps as the new official licensee for trading cards for the NBA and other leagues, Topps is still showing its power in resales of these LeBron cards.

After seeing the Upper Deck LeBron card go for more than $5 million, anything can be possible for the future of the cards for the best -- or second-best -- player to step foot on the basketball hardwood. These eBay prices did not come close to the millions, but these purchases could be huge investments for the future when LeBron is enshrined in the Hall of Fame. He has some time left in his NBA career as he attempts to match -- or even pass -- Michael Jordan's ring total. As James ends his career with the Lakers, or perhaps another new team, collectors will hope that he continues to raise the value of his cards.