I’ve been holding on to this hat forever!! Finally got the opportunity to get it signed NBA legend Alex English.. Courtesy of Powers Sports!
Best Players to Collect: Building a Collection Around the Greatest Athletes
Whether you are just starting your sports memorabilia collection or adding new pieces to an existing one, one of the biggest questions you'll face is which players should I collect? The answer depends on your goals, your budget, and most importantly, your personal interests.
Some collectors focus on their favorite team. Others chase Hall of Famers or the biggest names in sports history. There is no single right answer, but there are some proven strategies that can help you build a collection you'll enjoy for years.
Start With the Players You Love
The best advice for any collector is simple:
Collect the players that bring you the most enjoyment.
If you're a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan, collecting Patrick Mahomes memorabilia will likely mean more to you than owning an item from another superstar. The same goes for fans of the Yankees, Lakers, Bulls, Chiefs, or your favorite college team.
Sports memorabilia should be fun. Every item tells a story and reminds you of great moments, favorite games, or athletes you grew up watching. If a collection makes you smile every time you walk past it, you've made the right decision.
Collect the Greatest Players of All Time
If you want to branch out beyond your favorite players, many collectors focus on athletes who are widely considered among the greatest in their sport.
These legendary athletes have worldwide recognition, enormous fan bases, and decades of collecting interest.
Some of the most popular athletes include:
Baseball
- Babe Ruth
- Mickey Mantle
- Shohei Ohtani
- Hank Aaron
- Willie Mays
Basketball
- Michael Jordan
- LeBron James
- Kobe Bryant
- Magic Johnson
- Larry Bird
Football
- Tom Brady
- Joe Montana
- Jerry Rice
- Patrick Mahomes
Soccer
- Lionel Messi
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Pelé
- Diego Maradona
Hockey
- Wayne Gretzky
- Mario Lemieux
- Sidney Crosby
These athletes have earned their reputations through championships, awards, records, and unforgettable careers. Because of their accomplishments, demand for their memorabilia has remained strong for many years.
Hall of Fame Players Are Always Popular
Hall of Fame athletes are another excellent place to start.
Once a player reaches the Hall of Fame, their legacy is firmly established. Their accomplishments are recognized permanently, and collectors often seek signed memorabilia celebrating those careers.
Popular Hall of Fame inscriptions include:
- Hall of Fame year
- MVP awards
- World Series championships
- Super Bowl victories
- Career milestone inscriptions
These additions often make signed memorabilia even more desirable to collectors.
Modern Superstars Continue to Grow
Today's biggest stars are also attracting massive collector interest.
Players such as:
- Shohei Ohtani
- Patrick Mahomes
- Connor McDavid
- Lionel Messi
- LeBron James
continue to build their legacies while actively competing. Many collectors enjoy following a player's career and adding new signed items as new milestones are achieved.
Buy What Fits Your Budget
Not every collector has the budget for a Michael Jordan rookie card or a Babe Ruth signed baseball—and that's perfectly okay.
You can still build an outstanding collection by focusing on:
- Signed photos
- Baseballs
- Jerseys
- Rookie cards
- Mini helmets
- Smaller display pieces
Many Hall of Famers remain surprisingly affordable, making them excellent choices for new collectors.
Don't Chase Trends Alone
One mistake many new collectors make is buying players simply because they're popular at the moment.
While breakout stars can be exciting, sports careers are unpredictable. Injuries, trades, or unexpected declines can quickly change collector demand.
Instead, build your collection around players you genuinely enjoy watching or athletes whose accomplishments have already stood the test of time.
Think About Long-Term Enjoyment
Rather than asking:
"What player will be worth the most?"
Ask yourself:
"Which player will I still enjoy displaying ten years from now?"
Sports memorabilia should be something you enjoy seeing every day—not something purchased solely because someone else said it might become valuable.
Mix Personal Favorites With Legends
Many experienced collectors build collections that include both.
For example:
- Your favorite current player
- Your favorite hometown team
- Several Hall of Famers
- One or two greatest-of-all-time athletes
This creates a collection that reflects your personality while also celebrating some of the greatest careers in sports history.
Build Around Your Favorite Sport
Some collectors specialize in one sport, while others collect across several.
Examples include:
- Baseball Hall of Fame collection
- Chicago Bulls legends
- Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl players
- Soccer GOAT collection
- Hockey Hall of Fame collection
Having a theme often makes collecting even more enjoyable and gives your collection a unique identity.
Final Thoughts
There is no perfect list of the best players to collect.
The best collection is one that reflects your interests, your favorite memories, and the athletes who inspire you.
Start with the players you love. As your collection grows, consider adding Hall of Famers and athletes widely regarded as the greatest of all time. By combining personal favorites with legendary names, you'll build a collection that you'll enjoy displaying for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best players to collect?
Start with your favorite players and teams. Many collectors also focus on Hall of Famers and athletes widely considered among the greatest of all time.
Are Hall of Fame players good collectibles?
Yes. Hall of Fame players have established careers and remain some of the most popular athletes among collectors.
Should I collect current players or retired legends?
Many collectors enjoy both. Current stars allow you to follow an active career, while retired legends have already cemented their place in sports history.
Which sports have the biggest collector markets?
Baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and hockey all have large collector communities with many iconic athletes.
Do rookie cards make good collectibles?
Yes. Rookie cards remain among the most popular collectibles, especially when professionally graded or autographed.
Is it better to collect my favorite team or the greatest players?
There is no right answer. Most collectors begin with their favorite teams and gradually add legendary athletes as their collections grow.
Should I buy memorabilia only for investment purposes?
It's generally better to buy memorabilia because you enjoy it. Building a collection around players you appreciate makes the hobby much more rewarding.
Related Guides
- Signed Jerseys: What Collectors Should Know Before Buying
- Signed Baseballs: A Collectors Guide
- Signed Football Helmets, Footballs and More
- Rookie Cards: A Collectors Guide
- Game Used Memorabilia Explained
- Best Items for Beginners
- Gift Ideas for Sports Collectors
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Again, PSM did a great job!
Nice autograph by Roger Clemens himself. Thank you Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Nice autograph by Cal Ripken Jr. Thank you Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Nice autograph. Thank you Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Another perfect autograph on my 3000 hit baseball. Always a great experience! Thanks again.
I've had this card since the age of 12. Never had the opportunity until now to get his RC signed. Thanks Matt for making this happen!!
Once again, Matt and his team delivered a smooth, professional experience in obtaining a Dustin Pedroia autograph (with authentication) to a book already containing a number of Red Sox greats’ signatures. I recommend Powers Spirts Memorabilia highly.
Great experience. Card was just as described. Excited to have this added to the collection.
Frank Thomas 1990 Topps Signed Baseball Rookie Card #414B Auto Graded Beckett 10
The COA was placed exactly where I wanted it and it turned out great. Always an easy experience.
An excellent experience with the team. The ball turned out perfectly. Easy to ship the ball in and it returned after signing without an issue.
Great place to do business with. Thank you!
Fernando Tatis Jr 2019 Topps Baseball Rookie Card RC #410 Graded PSA 9 MINT
😍 such a nice autograph! Thank you!
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Mr. Powers delivered on my request for this Cal Ripken jr. autograph. It was a nice size clean and perfect signature better than I expected. Mr. Powers team is quick to respond with any concerns you may have and keeps you posted on your item. I will absolutely be getting more signatures through them to finish my collection. I highly recommend Powers Sports to anyone that has any doubts. I use to do send ins with Steiner sports until he sold, to me Powers picked up where they left off and I couldnt be happier. Thank you
Great experience as usual! I’ll definitely be getting more autographs in the future!!
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Smooth transaction
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Awesome!
The color match ink auto looks great! Thanks!
A fantastic addition to the set. Bosh's autograph really pops on this one. Thanks!
This might be the only autograph of this card that has his whole auto on it. Great addition to the collection!
The COA wasn't close to where I asked for it to be placed. I'm not sure how this was missed but it was a bummer when I saw that.
This came back amazing! The autograph was very clean! Thanks!
This completes my set of sketch cards. It's been fun doing this.
This was just the COA. Thanks!
It's awesome to get this one back! Another added to the Collection.
Great job by Powers Sports once again! They were able to secure a great signature from Andy Reid on my trading card, using the exact type pen and the exact location that I requested. Accuracy and quality are their top priority!
I submitted 2 cards to get them signed by Patrick Ewing himself. Thanks Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
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Ronald Acuna Jr 2018 Topps Living Baseball Rookie Card RC #19 Graded PSA 10
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Awesome experience as usual!
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