Entering the 2017-18 season, not a lot of eyes were on the hunt for a Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card. As the 11th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, there were some fairly high expectations. But with a deep group of strong rookies, it was easy for him to blend in. At first.
Fast forward a few months and Donovan Mitchell is doing anything but blending in with the rest of the pack. He’s been an instant star since arriving in Utah, showing a balanced, albeit powerful and exciting game.
Not surprisingly, Donovan Mitchell Rookie Cards have seen a lot of growth, both in interest and overall value from where they first began. It’s still early to say whether this will be sustained, but Jazz fans are particularly hopeful for what the future holds for the guard.
If you’re curious about what Donovan Mitchell Rookie Cards are out there, here’s a detailed breakdown of what you can find.
Please note that this list only includes cards with the RC tag in the Beckett Basketball Card Database and Price Guide. Mitchell also has lots of inserts and parallels from his rookie year that are not highlighted.
Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card Checklist and Guide
2017-18 Absolute Memorabilia Donovan Mitchell RC #78
Base cards in 2017-18 Absolute Memorabilia are packaged a little bit different. They come “uncirculated” inside of a holder. With just one in each pack (two per box), this card is bound to be moderately tough to find once the initial supply dries up. It’s not numbered, though, so exact quantities are unknown.
Parallels: Maroon (/7)
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2017-18 Court Kings Donovan Mitchell RC #103
As far as artistic flair goes, this Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card has lots of it. 2017-18 Court Kings has four tiers of rookies as part of the main checklist. All have different looks to them, but art is the central theme. Because this is the most common of them, it’s considered to be the RC in the traditional sense.
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2017-18 Crown Royale Donovan Mitchell RC #167
The 2017-18 Crown Royale Donovan Mitchell jumps out right away because of its design. It’s not so much traditional flash (although the etched foil highlights add a bit of that) but rather the die-cut crown design that has been with the brand since it debuted in the ’90s. Although not numbered, this is a fairly tough card to find given the product’s high-end leanings.
Parallels: Crystal (/99), Crystal Purple (/25), Crystal Gold (/10), Crystal Black (1/1)
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2017-18 Donruss Donovan Mitchell RC #188
The 2017-18 Donruss Donovan Mitchell is one of his most readily available Rookie Cards. As a result, it’s also one of the most affordable. It is part of the Rated Rookie subset, an original staple for Donruss Baseball sets in the 1980s and ’90s as well as in several sports now that Panini has revived it. More than a dozen parallels add a tough chase element to the card.
Parallels: Green Flood, Holo Laser Green and Yellow, Holo Laser Orange, Press Proof Silver (/299), Press Proof Purple (/199), Holo Laser Green (/99), Holo Laser Red (/99), Press Proof Red (/75), Holo Laser Blue (/49), Holo Laser Yellow (/25), Press Proof Blue (/25), Holo Laser Purple (/15), Holo Laser Red and Blue (/15), Press Proof Gold (/10), Press Proof Black (1/1)
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2017-18 Donruss Optic Donovan Mitchell RC #188
The 2017-18 Donruss Optic Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card takes the regular Donruss card and gives it a chromium makeover. The final result is something with a little more slick shine. And like every modern chrome set, there are lots of different parallels to chase. In this case, there are more than two dozen possibilities mixing colors and background patterns.
Parallels: Blue Velocity, Checkerboard, Fast Break Holo, Holo, Purple, White Sparkle, Premium (/249), Orange (/199), Fast Break Orange (/193), Lime Green (/175), Fast Break Purple (/155), Red (/99), Fast Break Red (/85), Pink Velocity (/79), Fast Break Blue (/50), Blue (/49), Black Velocity (/39), Aqua (/25), Pink (25), Fast Break Pink (/20), Purple Stars (/13), Fast Break Gold (/10), Gold (/10), Green (/5), Black (1/1), Fast Break Black (1/1), Gold Vinyl (1/1)
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2017-18 Hoops Donovan Mitchell RC #263
2017-18 Hoops was the first set to feature Donovan Mitchell in an NBA uniform. The brand is steeped in tradition as far as modern collecting goes. But that doesn’t necessarily translate into big values. Like a lot of flagship products, no matter the sport, the focus in Hoops is to offer something that comprehensive and easy to collect at its most basic level. For those looking for something more challenging, rare parallels are plentiful.
Parallels: Blue, Red Backs, Teal Explosion, Premium Box Set (/199), Silver (/199), Teal (/125), Green (/99), Blue Checkerboard (/75), Orange Explosion (/75), Red (/49), Artist Proof (/25), Orange (/25), Red Checkerboard (/15), Gold (/10), Artist Proof Black (1/1)
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2017-18 Immaculate Collection Donovan Mitchell RC Auto Patch #102 /99
A small step down from a couple of other super-premium options, 2017-18 Immaculate Collection still has one of the most valuable Donovan Mitchell Rookie Cards. The patch piece is noticeably smaller than National Treasures but so is the price tag. The autograph is still hard-signed and the print run is set to 99 copies.
Parallels: Jersey Number (/45), Red (/25), Gold (/10), Tags (/3), Logoman (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Ascension Donovan Mitchell RC #136
2017-18 Panini Ascension Basketball, the brand’s debut release, has a pair of Donovan Mitchell Rookie Cards. Both have the same number and both are available in equal quantities. Ascension isn’t an expensive product, but base cards can be moderately challenging to find as there aren’t a ton of them in a box. Both Mitchells come with colorful, yet somewhat understated designs. The result is a clean, modern look.
Parallels: Blue (/129), Red (/75), Purple (/50), Green (/25), Black (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Chronicles Donovan Mitchell RC #123
2017-18 Panini Chronicles Basketball folds several Panini brands into one release. But at the start of the checklist are the Chronicles cards themselves. Designed to somewhat resemble a newspaper, it quickly summarizes the early part of Mitchell’s pro career.
Parallels: Red (/299), Blue (/199), Purple (/149), Pink (/99), Gold (/10), Holo Gold (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Contenders Donovan Mitchell RC Autograph #113 /125
Arriving in packs as a redemption, the 2017-18 Panini Contenders Donovan Mitchell falls under the Rookie Ticket Autograph banner. The set takes a bit of a different route, giving the popular Rookie Card line serial numbers. They have in the past but they’re usually not. And with 125 copies each, there aren’t a lot. The combination of autograph, low numbers and the brand’s popularity should make it one of the top Donovan Mitchell Rookie Cards.
Among the parallels are new Premium Edition cards, which are done on chromium stock. There’s also a variation version that’s done with a horizontal layout. These have parallels as well.
Parallels: Premium Edition, Playoff Ticket (/65), The Finals Ticket (/25), Cracked Ice Ticket (/20), Premium Edition Gold (/20), Championship Ticket (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Contenders Draft Picks Donovan Mitchell RC #79
The first Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card to arrive is also his first autographed RC. The 2017-18 Panini Contenders Draft Picks Donovan Mitchell comes with a couple of different versions. One has him in a red Louisville jersey, the other in a white jersey shirt. Both versions come with a signature, albeit on a sticker.
Parallels: Blue Foil, Red Foil, Draft Ticket (/99), Cracked Ice (/23), Playoff Ticket (/15), Championship Ticket (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Cornerstones Donovan Mitchell RC Auto Quad Jersey #163 /199
This card doesn’t limit itself to one swatch. It’s got four. And an on-card autograph to boot. And while 199 copies isn’t a big number, it’s bigger than most of the other premium Donovan Mitchell Rookie Cards. The price tag isn’t though. If you’re looking for a more reasonably priced RC and prefer hard signatures, this is one to consider.
It comes in packs as a redemption but the final cards have arrived.
Parallels: Crystal (/75), Quartz (/49), Granite (/25), Marble (/10), Onyx (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Dominion Donovan Mitchell RC #114 /199
The 2017-18 Panini Dominion Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card is instantly recognizable. And the reason is clear — it’s printed on metal. That means a different look and feel that’s premium despite no autograph.
Parallels: Bronze (/49), Gold (/10), Platinum (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Encased Donovan Mitchell RC Autograph #102, 150, 180 /99
Donovan Mitchell has three different Rookie Cards in 2017-18 Panini Encased. All are numbered to 99 and they’re all autographed. They’re also all in packs as redemptions.
Parallels: Red (/25), Gold (/10), Green (/5), Platinum (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Essentials Donovan Mitchell RC #149
Looking for an affordable Donovan Mitchell Rookie that still has a cool, modern look? Essentials is just that. It’s not numbered and somewhat available so it’s on the cheap side taking his full RC checklist into account. The foil, multiple action photos and accent lines all add up to a distinct look that doesn’t reflect the price tag.
Parallels: Green, Orange, Platinum, Red, Retail, Spiral, Silver (/99), Purple (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Flawless Donovan Mitchell RC #84
Looking for the rarest Donovan Mitchel Rookie Card? This is it. Limited to just 20 copies, there aren’t many to go around. Understandably, prices reflect that. Rather than autographs or big patches, the 2017-18 Panini Flawless Donovan Mitchell RC uses as a diamond as its other centerpiece.
Parallels: Double (/10), Triple (/5), Bronze (/2), Platinum (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Impeccable Donovan Mitchell RC #29 /99
Donovan Mitchell has several autographs and memorabilia cards in 2017-18 Panini Impeccable Basketball. However, his base set Rookie Card isn’t one of them.The design brings an artistic flair and some modern elegance. Numbered to 99, it’s tough to come by. So expect to pay a bit of a premium compared to other unsigned cards.
Parallels: Holo Silver (/49), Holo Gold (/10), Platinum (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Mosaic Prizm Donovan Mitchell RC #5
2017-18 Panini Mosaic Basketball is the company’s first full online-exclusive product to come packaged in an otherwise traditional format. Building off the main Prizm release, the Mosaic Donovan Mitchell RC has a patterned background to go with the bright look. It also has a more limited production run that the regular Prizm card.
Parallels: Blue, Green, Orange, Red, Purple (/99), Camo (/25), Gold (/10), Black (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini National Treasures Donovan Mitchell RC Auto Patch #113 /99
If you’re looking for the most coveted and most valuable Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card, this is it. The 2017-18 National Treasures Donovan Mitchell comes with the brand’s stamp of approval. No matter what high-end lines have come since its debut, this is still the line that collectors look to. But there’s more to it than just the name. This card has an on-card signature and a large patch piece to go with the low production run. Not for the faint of heart, as long as Mitchell remains a star, expect to pay thousands for a copy of this card.
Although it was inserted in boxes as a redemption, the final cards have been sent out.
Parallels: Rookie Patch Autographs Horizontal (/49),Rookie Patch Autographs Horizontal Bronze (/25), FOTL Limited Edition (/15), Gold (/10), Emerald (/5), Logoman (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Noir Donovan Mitchell RC #93, 193 /79
It’s normal for players to have two Rookie Cards in a Noir set. However, previous installments have differed between color and black and white image. The 2017-18 Panini Noir Donovan Mitchell Rookie Cards get the “home” and “away” treatment. Individually, they both command strong values due in large part to their rarity. Put them together and you’ve got some nice balance between the images, mirror positioning and the puzzle-like approach to the logo in the background.
Parallels: Gold (/25), Platinum (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Opulence Donovan Mitchell RC #37 /79
There’s a definite gold theme going on here. The 2017-18 Opulence Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card is another one that hails from a super-premium release. And while the first rounder does have autographs and memorabilia cards in the product, this particular card isn’t one of them. The print run and ensuing rarity are driving forces behind the card’s strong prices.
It’s worth noting that Mitchell has two other cards on the main Opulence checklist. Like this card, they’re both numbered to 79. However, this one is the most basic so it gets the official RC tag in the database. The other two are autograph and autographed memorabilia cards.
Parallels: Silver (/25), Holo Gold (/10), Emerald (/5), Platinum (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Prizm Donovan Mitchell RC #117
As far as non-autographed, non-numbered Rookie Cards go, Prizm Basketball has come into its own. 2017-18 Panini Prizm isn’t a rare set. It was available in several configurations at both the hobby and retail levels. Yet, because of the the brand’s overall popularity, this Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card commands strong prices all things considered.
Also popular are the parallels. And there are a lot of them. Colors, patterns, exclusives–they’re all in play.
Parallels: Fast Break, Green, Hyper, Red/White/Blue, Ruby Wave, Silver, White Sparkle, Blue (/199), Fast Break Blue (/175), Fast Break Red (/125), Blue Ice (/99), Fast Break Purple (/75), Purple (/75), Fast Break Pink (/50), Orange (/49), Pink Pulsar (/42), Green Pulsar (/25), Mojo (/25), Red Pulsar (/25), Fast Break Bronze (/20), Gold (/10), Red Shimmer (/8), Fast Break Neon Green (/5), Black (1/1), Fast Break Black (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Spectra Donovan Mitchell RC #20
The 2017-18 Panini Spectra Donovan Mitchell RC takes the Prizm concept and goes a little more upscale with added design and premium stock. Given the relative scarcity, the prices are also quite strong despite no specific quantities given. For those into color, the parallels have plenty of that. They’re bright and pop even more thanks to both the contrasting lines and, for some, wild background patterns.
Parallels: Silver, White Sparkle, Neon Blue (/99), Red (/75), Neon Green (/49), Neon Pink (/25), Gold (/10), Wave (/9), Neon Orange (/5), Nebula (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Status Donovan Mitchell RC #122
A spinoff of Elite, 2017-18 Panini Status Basketball has a more subdued approach to foil. It also has a color palette reminiscent of 1991-92 SkyBox Basketball. The Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card isn’t quite as over-the-top as the early SkyBox cards were, but there’s something about it that is both modern and retro rolled into one.
Parallels: Aqua, Foundations, Orange, Pursuit Die-Cut, Red (/299), Blue (/199), Purple (/149), Green (/75), Status (/45), Aspirations (/55), Gold (/10), Kaleido (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Threads Donovan Mitchell RC #98
If you missed this card, it may be because it wasn’t available through traditional hobby channels. 2017-18 Threads went the retail route. It’s a fairly straightforward and affordable card. For those not looking to spend much with a preference for traditional action images, this hits all those spots.
Parallels: Dazzle (/199), Dazzle Red (/99), Dazzle Blue (/25), Dazzle Gold (/10), Dazzle Black (1/1)
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2017-18 Panini Vanguard Donovan Mitchell RC Autograph #129 /99
The signature, which is on-card, is the big part of this high-end leaning Donovan Mitchell RC. The print run of 99 also help sets it apart. But he still has a couple of other Rookie Cards that fit similar criteria. From a design standpoint, the foil stock is a difference maker.
Parallels: Purple (/49), Gold (/10), Red (1/1)
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2017-18 Prestige Donovan Mitchell RC #163
The 2017-18 Prestige base set is all about action. To that end, it’s the first Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card to show him with a full in-game NBA action shot. Several other RCs have him making moves and shooting, but they’re either posed or have the background removed. Prestige offers a different dynamic. It isn’t among his most expensive cards.
As for parallels, the Cracked Ice cards are all hobby-only. Rain, Mist and Horizon versions are found in various retail offerings.
Parallels: Horizon, Mist, Rain, Crystal Cracked Ice (/199), Crystal Gold Cracked Ice (/10), Crystal Blue Cracked Ice (1/1)
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2017-18 Revolution Donovan Mitchell RC #125
The 2017-18 Revolution Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card is comfortable in its bold foil look. That’s a big part of the product. It’s a definite throwback to the latter days of Pacific, the company that originally started the brand. Alongside it are several parallels that also bring a loud look, not to mention some extreme rarity in a couple of cases.
Parallels: Astro, Chinese New Year, Fractal, Galactic, Groove, Impact, Cosmic (/100), Sunburst (/75), Cubic (/50), Lava (/10)
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2017-18 Select Donovan Mitchell RC #11
The 2017-18 Select Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card is another one that’s based on chromium stock. Although the 300-card checklist is divided into three tiers, Mitchell is only in the Concourse portion, which is the most common. Similar to other chromium products in the hobby, the wide array of colorful parallels get a lot of attention as well.
Parallels: Prizms Scope, Prizms Silver, Prizms Tri-Color, Prizms Zebra, Prizms Blue (/299), Prizms Maroon (/199), Prizms White (/149), Prizms Orange (/75), Prizms Tie-Dye (/25), Prizms Gold (/10), Prizms Neon Orange Pulsar (/9), Prizms Green (/5), Prizms Black (1/1)
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2017-18 Totally Certified Donovan Mitchell RC #113 /299
The 2017-18 Totally Certified Donovan Mitchell Rookie Card might be a bit of a dark horse. Numbered to 299, it’s not an easy card to find. It’s not the smallest print run out there but it’s not a high-end card that’s more prone to flipped. As has always been the case with the brand, even dating back to its original days under Pinnacle in the late ’90s, there’s a decidedly modern look to it. This helps the colors pop a lot, whether it’s the red of the base version or the handful of parallels.
Parallels: Purple (/199), Blue (/99), Camo (/25), Gold (/10), Green (/5), Holo Blue (1/1)
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My Kings passed on him twice in the first round!
None of these cards will be worth what panni instant no 1-40 will be worth. Second grade cards I mean who has the contract with nba-
Wondering why the Immaculate RPA is listed as the RC rather than the “base” card.
Thanks for the article :)
@AK The RPA has the higher print run, which is one of the first criteria when there are multiple cards of a rookie in a base set.