Ben Simmons 2016-17 Hoops RC, PSA 10

Here's a card I've had for quite some time but never got around to scanning in and writing up. I picked it up raw from COMC and sent it in to grade through my old job. I was very pleased when it came back a PSA 10. It's just a low-end base rookie but I like the design and simplicity.

I love Ben Simmons' game (despite his current struggles and unwillingness to shoot the ball) so grabbing some rookies of his was always something I wanted to do. I ended up mostly targeting lower-end stuff and his 2016-17 Hoops RC was an obvious choice. I have four or five more of them, ungraded, and they will likely stay that way.

Simmons is one of three number one overall picks born in Australia. Can you name the other two without the assistance of old friend Google?

Ben Simmons UD Holiday Promo

A quick one item post today on something I took home from work. Upper Deck will send us some promotional stuff from time to time and I was able to claim a cool Ben Simmons item last holiday season.

Our rep even signed the back herself. eBay 1/1!

Simmons is a beast. And your Rookie of the Year.

A Mini COMC Purchase With My Favorite Johnny Bench Card....Back

I emphasize back as the 1969 Bench -- both the Topps and OPC versions -- represent my favorite Bench cardboard. However, the greatest Bench card back resides with the below beaut I recently added to my Johnny Collection via COMC.

1971 OPC! These cards are just fantastic as the yellow back really pops and stands out. '71s in general are great when even just in mid-grade condition, and this card actually presents much better than the VG it is as the surface creases are only visible in-hand. They're hidden so well that the one through his right cheek would appear to not even be there.

$7 and change earned exclusively through COMC challenges was too good a deal.

Next up I decided to do a bit of prospecting on Ben Simmons and picked up a quartet of low-end 2016-17 Hoops RCs. I think Simmons is going to be great and if he becomes a star I can potentially flip a couple of these, maybe even getting them slabbed first. Generally speaking I like guys who possess his all-around offensive skill-set and that 76ers team is loaded with top-end talent.

The final cards for me were the above pair of Kristaps Porzingis RCs. Another guy I enjoy watching and another guy I think is a star or at the least star-bound. They were affordable and the man has a slew of phenomenal nicknames.

I picked up one final card which will be heading to a great blogging friend to complete a semi-long ago trade. I think he'll quite enjoy it.