1986-87 Fleer #33 Vern Fleming
1986-87 Fleer #33 Vern Fleming
A "Rule of 11" card: it sat at the edge of the 132-card press sheet, so copies tend to come off-center with print problems and edge wear - making high grades scarcer than the player's fame would suggest.
About Vern Fleming
Vern Fleming (born February 4, 1962) was a 6'5" point guard out of the University of Georgia, where he played from 1980 to 1984. Before turning pro he won a gold medal with the United States at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, a team coached by Bob Knight that also featured a young Michael Jordan. The Indiana Pacers took him 18th overall in the 1984 NBA Draft, and he spent eleven of his twelve NBA seasons in Indiana before finishing with the New Jersey Nets in 1995-96. A steady floor general, Fleming averaged 11.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.4 rebounds over 12 seasons, peaking in 1989-90 when he started all 82 games and posted career highs of 14.3 points and 7.4 assists per game. This is his rookie card; in the 1986-87 Fleer set it is a "Rule of 11" card that sat on the edge of the 132-card press sheet, so clean, well-centered high-grade copies are notably scarce.
Sources: Wikipedia · Basketball-Reference
About this card
The 1986-87 Fleer Vern Fleming is card #33 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 Vern Fleming. He is pictured with the Indiana Pacers.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 1-6 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 2,450 | 115 | 781 | 992 | 332 | 230 | 0 |
| SGC | 153 | 1 | 34 | 58 | 28 | 30 | 2 |
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 Vern Fleming card?
It is card #33 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 Indiana Pacers Vern Fleming, and is his recognized rookie card.
Is the 1986-87 Fleer Vern Fleming 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. Vern Fleming 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.)
Why is the Vern Fleming 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 Vern Fleming 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.