Following the 1981-82 season, Topps decided to stop releasing NBA sets. The next major brand to put out a full set would be Fleer in 1986-1987. A company called Star stepped in to produce licensed cards during that gap. Rather than being included in packs, the Star cards came in polybagged team sets.

Many of the legendary rookies from the 86 Fleer set first appeared on Star cards. Due to a counterfeiting scandal, PSA only recently began grading the cards. Beckett has been grading the cards for years and BGS copies are much easier to find. Here are some of the most popular Star rookies.

Dominique Wilkins 1983 Star 

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Drafted into the league in 1982, there were no licensed basketball cards during Dominique Wilkins's first season. A star from his first day in the league, Wilkins would go on to make 9 NBA All-Star teams. The Human Highlight Film was also famous for his ferocious dunking.

Named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006, it is fitting that the former Atlanta Hawk is dunking in his first Star card. The issue is highly sought after and sells for close to $1,200 in BGS 9 condition.

Charles Barkley 1984 Star 

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Standing at only 6-6 and with a body that earned him the nickname 'The Round Mound of Rebound' Charles Barkley was one of the more unique rookies to enter the league. The 76ers selected him 5th overall in 1984 and the move immediately paid dividends. The legendary Power Forward won an MVP Award and appeared in 11 All-Star games.

Barkley has retained his popularity thanks to a high-profile role as a broadcaster on Inside the NBA.  The Power Forward's Star rookie card is widely available online and can be had for $2,000 in a BGS 9.

Akeem Olajuwon 1984 Star 

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Akeem Olajuwon had an incredible career at the University of Houston. The Center was so skilled, in fact, that he was drafted 1st overall in the 1984 Draft while Michael Jordan was selected third. The Houston Rockets never regretted that decision. Olajuwon would lead the team to two titles while winning an MVP Award and making 12 All-Star games.

Olajuwon's Star rookie card shows him facing up against a defender, readying to make a move. The card sells briskly online and goes for somewhere between $2,500 and $3,000 in a BGS 9.

Patrick Ewing 1985 Star 

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During the 1985 Draft, Patrick Ewing was considered to be a transcendent prospect. There has even been a decades-long conspiracy theory that the NBA conspired the have the Big Market Knicks win the draft lottery. Despite never winning a title in New York, Ewing is considered one of the greatest Knicks of all time.

An 11-time All-Star, Ewing played on the 1992 Dream Team and was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2008. The center's Star rookie in a BGS 9 sells for $800-$1000.

Michael Jordan 1985 Gatorade Slam Dunk

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While Star created team sets, the brand also created sets to commemorate special events. One of these events was the burgeoning slam dunk competition that was ruled by Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins.

Jordan does have a Star rookie card, but its rarity places it outside of the budget of most collectors. A nice alternative is Jordan's Gatorade Slam Dunk rookie card. The issue not only makes mention of MJ's dunk contest success but also features an eye-catching green border. The card will usually run between $1,500 and $2,000 in a BGS 9.

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.