It’s the CGC Hot List, and we’re sharing some of the most popular submissions that have passed through the grading room recently, including players from the past and present who are driving the current market. Utilizing comprehensive insights from CGC submission data and zeroing in on the most popular sports submissions, here are five of the most-submitted athletes in recent weeks.
1) Michael Jordan
Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan could make our Hot List almost any month. The six-time NBA champion and five-time NBA MVP is a constant in the hobby. Even though he's been officially retired for more than two decades, the popularity of Jordan and his collectibles still moves the needle. Widely known as the greatest basketball player of all time, and arguably the most marketable athlete of all time behind numerous brands (including his own line of Air Jordans), No. 23 is in a league of his own. CGC receives submissions of Jordan's cards on a regular basis, including early career gems, popular 1990s base cards, and collector favorite inserts like his 1993-94 Upper Deck Skylights card.
2) LeBron James
This summer, multiple big-name NBA players switched teams, shaking up the landscape of the league and making headlines along the way. Although Giannis Antetokounmpo might have been the biggest move, there was arguably no greater surprise than NBA all-time leading scorer LeBron James choosing to join the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason. As the 2026-27 NBA season tipped off in late October, fans and analysts were still getting used to seeing James in a red, white, and blue 76ers jersey. Although he is always a popular athlete to submit, there was an uptick in his submissions to CGC recently, with many of his cards marking the milestone of his switch to Philadelphia.
3) Ken Griffey Jr.
Another retired legend, Ken Griffey Jr. is a similar fixture like Michael Jordan whose popularity within the hobby has continued long after his retirement. A fan favorite since he made his MLB debut at 19 years old with the Seattle Mariners, "The Kid" (as he was affectionately known) is still one of the most submitted baseball players, past or present. Although the era in which he played produced an overabundance of cards, Griffey Jr.'s collectibles have stood the test of time and are still sought by collectors today and submitted in large numbers.
4) Cooper Flagg
Still a teenager at just 19 years old, Cooper Flagg is already looking like the total package on both ends of the floor in only his second year in the NBA. After a superb first season in Dallas that saw him earn the Rookie of the Year Award and become the face of that franchise, it is obvious that the sky is the limit for Flagg. As one of the most exciting young talents in the league, his popularity on and off the court has made him one of the most collectible modern athletes in sports today. The former Duke standout is already one of the most consistently submitted basketball players across the globe. CGC receives Flagg submissions from all types of card sets, including the Topps Match Attax set, which is popular in Europe and Asia.
5) Jalen Brunson
It's been a great year for New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who played a huge role in bringing an NBA title back to the Big Apple for the first time in 53 years. In 2026, he also earned his third-straight All-Star appearance, won the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP awards, and even got to host Saturday Night Live. The Knicks' historic championship also put many of Brunson's cards in the spotlight, as CGC saw an influx of his submissions in recent months. Although the submissions span his career, some of the most popular were cards like this one that had direct ties to the Knicks championship and Brunson's astounding NBA Finals heroics.
About CGC
Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles, including trading card games (TCGs), sports cards, magazines, video games, and home media. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services. If you collect it, we grade and protect it.
CGC is part of the Certified Collectibles Group, a global provider of expert and impartial authentication and grading services for collectibles. Since 1987, the Certified Collectibles Group companies have certified more than 110 million collectibles, including coins, banknotes, comic books, cards, autographs, and stamps.
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