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Donruss Optic has become one of those brands that bridges the gap between traditional collectors and fans of modern chrome-style cards. The 2024-25 edition continues that trend, giving the classic Donruss design a sleek chromium finish while expanding the checklist into one of the most colorful and diverse of the year.
Like past releases, there are plenty of configurations, each with their own appeal. Hobby boxes guarantee one autograph along with an insert or parallel in nearly every pack. Choice and Fast Break boxes also include one signature per box, though their real draw lies in the parallels and exclusives you can only find in those specific formats.
The foundation of the product is a 300-card base set made up of 225 veterans, 25 legends, and 50 Rated Rookies. The design matches what collectors saw earlier in Donruss Basketball, but this time it is printed on chrome stock that gives the cards a glossy, modern look.
As always, parallels are a huge part of the Optic brand. Hobby boxes feature familiar options like Aqua out of 225, Orange out of 175, Lime Green out of 149, Red out of 99, Pink Velocity out of 79, Blue out of 49, Black Velocity out of 39, and Cracked Ice out of 25. The chase continues down to Gold out of 10, Green out of 5, and the one-of-one Gold Vinyl. There are also short prints like Jazz, Photon, and the elusive Black Pandora numbered to 15.
Fast Break boxes focus on their own spin, with parallels such as Purple Fast Break out of 99, Red out of 75, Blue out of 49, Pink out of 25, Gold out of 10, and even rarer versions like Neon Green out of 5 and one-of-one Black.
Choice boxes bring another angle, with their signature “circles” background. Dragon Choice, Red Choice out of 88, White Choice out of 48, Blue Choice out of 24, Black Gold out of 8, and Nebula one-of-ones give collectors a colorful set of exclusives that stand apart from the standard rainbow.
The autograph lineup starts with the highly anticipated Rated Rookies Signatures. These cards mirror the base Rated Rookies design but add an autograph, making them the go-to chase for the incoming rookie class. Collectors will also find them in multiple parallels, with some exclusive to Choice, Fast Break, or First Off The Line.
Additional autograph sets include Opti-Graphs and Rookie Dual Signatures, which bring variety and different ways to collect both rookies and established stars.
Donruss Optic is not shy about inserts, and this year’s lineup is both bold and nostalgic. Collectors will see familiar names like Elite Dominators, Lights Out, Net Marvels, The Rookies, Red Hot Rookies, and Rising Suns. Each of these comes with parallels that add another layer of collecting depth.
For those chasing the rarest of the rare, Optic includes special case hits. Slammy and Alter Ego both make appearances, with Alter Ego offering creative designs that highlight players’ nicknames or alternate personas. Panini’s popular Downtown cards are back as well, although these are exclusive to hobby boxes.
Hobby box: 20 packs of 4 cards each, with 1 autograph, 9 inserts, and 11 parallels
First Off The Line: same as hobby, but with an exclusive autograph or parallel
Choice box: 1 pack of 8 cards, featuring 1 autograph and 7 Choice parallels
Fast Break box: 10 packs of 9 cards each, with 1 autograph, 6 inserts, and 12 Fast Break parallels
The release date is currently scheduled for August 20, 2025. Each case configuration has its own distribution, with hobby cases holding 12 boxes, Choice cases containing 20, and Fast Break cases also set at 20.
The checklist is broad, with 300 base cards plus autographs. The Rated Rookies checklist features the top names from the incoming class, including Bronny James Jr., Stephon Castle, Dalton Knecht, Reed Sheppard, Alexandre Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, and others. Veterans like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Jayson Tatum anchor the main set, while the Legends subset honors all-time greats such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Tim Duncan.
Rated Rookies Signatures bring the young stars into focus, and parallels run deep, from standard holos to rare options like Black Pandora out of 25, Black FOTL out of 3, and one-of-one Nebula, Gold Vinyl, and Checkerboard versions.
Donruss Optic has carved out its place in the hobby as a product that delivers color, parallels, and rookies in a way that appeals to both long-time collectors and those newer to the scene. The combination of a large checklist, deep parallels, and a steady stream of inserts makes it a product that always feels lively. For those who cannot swing the ultra-high-end brands, Optic still gives you a shot at standout rookie autographs and plenty of color without breaking completely into National Treasures territory.
This year’s edition builds on that foundation with more parallels, more rookie signatures, and plenty of case hits that are sure to drive breaks and secondary market buzz.
