At the third annual Fanatics Fest, Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, signed his one-of-one numbered rookie debut patch autograph card (RDPA) just offstage. This highly anticipated basketball card is considered the most important item signed at the event.

Mike Mahan, CEO of Fanatics Collectibles, stated that Flagg's debut patch card is the most anticipated basketball card in a long time, highlighting its significance. Flagg's card will be featured in the 2026 Topps Chrome Update Basketball release, alongside classmates like Kon Knueppel and Dylan Harper. This release marks the beginning of Fanatics' exclusive NBA trading card license.

Experts predict significant value for the card, with Geoff Wilson suggesting it could exceed $1.5 million, potentially reaching $5 million. This follows the trend set by other high-value rookie patch cards, like Paul Skenes'. Fanatics is also exploring expansion into TCGs and multisport crossovers, aiming to enhance the collector experience through innovation and technology.