1986-87 Fleer #1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Card #1 and a sheet-corner "bookend" - one of the set's tougher cards to find well-centered and clean. Kareem retired as the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
About Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., the 7'2" center starred at UCLA before the Milwaukee Bucks made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 1969 NBA Draft; he adopted the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after converting to Islam, using it publicly from 1971. Over 20 NBA seasons with the Bucks (1969-1975) and Los Angeles Lakers (1975-1989) he was named Rookie of the Year (1969-70), won six championships (1971 with Milwaukee; 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 with the Lakers), earned two Finals MVPs, and captured a record six league MVP awards. A 19-time All-Star and 15-time All-NBA selection, he retired as the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points (24.6 ppg), a record he held until LeBron James passed him in 2023. His signature "skyhook" was nearly unblockable. Abdul-Jabbar was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995. As card #1, this Lakers-era issue is a sheet-corner "bookend" that is notably tough to find well-centered and clean.
Sources: Wikipedia · Basketball-Reference
About this card
The 1986-87 Fleer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is card #1 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. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was already an established star by 1986; this is not his rookie card, but he is one of the names that make the set a who's-who of the era. He is pictured with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 1-6 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 6,264 | 98 | 974 | 2,371 | 1,378 | 1,438 | 5 |
| SGC | 819 | 3 | 64 | 240 | 216 | 232 | 64 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted.
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Live auctions Buy It Now Sold prices
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
More Los Angeles Lakers cards
- Michael Cooper
- Magic Johnson
- Maurice Lucas
- Kurt Rambis
- Byron Scott
- James Worthy
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (sticker)
- Magic Johnson (sticker)
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1986-87 Fleer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar card?
It is card #1 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 Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
How do I spot a fake Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1986-87 Fleer card?
1986-87 Fleer is the most counterfeited basketball set. Genuine cards are crisp and dark with an intact micro-dot print pattern; fakes look fuzzy or flat. Check the Fleer 'Premier' logo (the arrow is a darker gold than the yellow box) and, on the back, the NBA Players Association basketball, whose seam lines are visible on a real card and filled solid on a fake. For high-value copies, buy professionally graded (PSA/BGS/SGC) and verify the cert.
Why is the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hard to find in high grade?
It is one of the set's condition-sensitive cards. The flush red/white/blue borders chip to reveal the white core at the slightest touch, and centering is tough - so high grades are far scarcer than the player's profile suggests.
Is the 1986-87 Fleer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 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 2026-10-05.