1986-87 Fleer #43 Bill Hanzlik
1986-87 Fleer #43 Bill Hanzlik
About Bill Hanzlik
A 6'7" defensive specialist out of the University of Notre Dame, Bill Hanzlik was selected 20th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1980 NBA Draft and went on to play 10 NBA seasons - two with Seattle (1980-1982) and eight with the Denver Nuggets (1982-1990), where this rookie card places him. A guard/forward valued far more for his defense than his scoring, he had the lowest college scoring average of any first-round pick in his draft class, and Nuggets coach Doug Moe routinely assigned him to shadow the opposing team's toughest scorer regardless of position - work that earned him NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 1986. Named to the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, he never competed because of the American boycott of the Moscow Games and was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 2007. After retiring he co-founded Denver's Gold Crown Foundation youth program, briefly served as Nuggets head coach (1997-98), and became a longtime team broadcaster.
Sources: Wikipedia · Basketball-Reference
About this card
The 1986-87 Fleer Bill Hanzlik is card #43 in Fleer's landmark 'Premier' issue - the first nationally-distributed NBA set since 1981-82 Topps and, for many collectors, the start of the modern era of basketball cards. Because of the multi-year gap, it is the recognized Rookie Card for Bill Hanzlik. He is pictured with the Denver Nuggets.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 1-6 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 2,468 | 103 | 830 | 1,032 | 315 | 188 | 0 |
| SGC | 150 | 4 | 46 | 56 | 33 | 11 | 0 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8).
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1986-87 Fleer Bill Hanzlik card?
It is card #43 of 132 in the 1986-87 Fleer Basketball set - Fleer's 'Premier' issue and the first nationally-distributed NBA set since 1981-82 Topps. It pictures the Denver Nuggets Bill Hanzlik, and is his recognized rookie card.
Is the 1986-87 Fleer Bill Hanzlik his rookie card?
Yes - the hobby treats 1986-87 Fleer as the Rookie Card for any player whose first nationally-distributed (pack-issued) card it is. Bill Hanzlik had no Topps card before the set, so this is his recognized RC. (Limited-distribution Star Company cards from 1983-86 are classed as Extended Rookie Cards.)
Is the 1986-87 Fleer Bill Hanzlik valuable?
Value depends heavily on grade and centering. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: the Trading Card Database, Basketball-Reference, and PSA & SGC population reports. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.