1986-87 Fleer #6 Thurl Bailey
1986-87 Fleer #6 Thurl Bailey
About Thurl Bailey
A 6'11" power forward, Thurl Bailey starred at North Carolina State, leading Jim Valvano's Wolfpack in scoring and rebounding on the way to the improbable 1983 NCAA championship. The Utah Jazz took him seventh overall in the 1983 NBA Draft, and he earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 1984. Over 12 NBA seasons (1983-1994, plus a brief 1999 return) with the Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves, Bailey averaged 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game and scored 11,834 career points. Once Utah drafted Karl Malone, coach Frank Layden made Bailey a primary scorer off the bench, and he peaked at 19.6 ppg in 1987-88 and 19.5 in 1988-89, finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting both years. Nicknamed "Big T," he won the 1989 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award and later built a second career as a broadcaster and recording singer-songwriter. This 1986-87 Fleer card is his rookie card.
Sources: Wikipedia · Basketball-Reference
About this card
The 1986-87 Fleer Thurl Bailey is card #6 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 Thurl Bailey. He is pictured with the Utah Jazz.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 1-6 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 2,747 | 123 | 929 | 1,142 | 378 | 175 | 0 |
| SGC | 174 | 1 | 47 | 78 | 30 | 18 | 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 Thurl Bailey card?
It is card #6 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 Thurl Bailey, and is his recognized rookie card.
Is the 1986-87 Fleer Thurl Bailey 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. Thurl Bailey 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 Thurl Bailey 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.