1986-87 Fleer #28 Mark Eaton
About Mark Eaton
One of basketball's most unlikely stars, Mark Edward Eaton was working as an auto mechanic in Southern California when a Cypress College coach spotted the 7'4" giant and steered him toward the game. After two seasons at Cypress and a scarcely-used stint at UCLA, the Utah Jazz took a flier on him in the 1982 NBA Draft (4th round, 72nd overall) - and he became the greatest shot-blocker of his era. A center who played all 11 of his NBA seasons for the Jazz (1982-93), Eaton was a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1985, 1989), a 1989 All-Star, and a five-time All-Defensive Team pick (three First, two Second). He led the league in blocks four times and still holds the single-season records for total blocks (456) and blocks per game (5.56, in 1984-85), along with the career mark of 3.5 blocks per game. This is his rookie card. Utah retired his No. 53 in 1996; he died in 2021 following a bicycle accident at age 64.
Sources: Wikipedia · Basketball-Reference
About this card
The 1986-87 Fleer Mark Eaton is card #28 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 Mark Eaton. He is pictured with the Utah Jazz.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 1-6 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 3,012 | 215 | 1,154 | 1,179 | 260 | 204 | 0 |
| SGC | 174 | 5 | 64 | 73 | 20 | 12 | 0 |
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.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1986-87 Fleer Mark Eaton card?
It is card #28 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 Utah Jazz Mark Eaton, and is his recognized rookie card.
Is the 1986-87 Fleer Mark Eaton 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. Mark Eaton 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 Mark Eaton 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.