1996-97 Skybox Z-Force Basketball Cards (2024)

Product Details

Loud and colorful with awildbackground design, the product debut of 1996-97 Skybox Z-Force Basketball was anything but subtle.

The release is split into two series and heavy on subsets and inserts that incorporate the letter Z.

1996-97 Skybox Z-Force Basketball Base / Parallels

The base set is a manageable 200 total cards, with 100 per series. It is important for collectors to realize that all the official rookie cards are found in Series 2 boxes. Led by Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash and Ray Allen, the rookieclass is deep and still very affordable. Zupermen subsets are also found in Series 2.

The base parallels, known as Z-Clings, are only found in Series 1. The cards are identical to the base cards, but the backs are blank except for the player's name and the card number. While this excludes the rookie cards from the parallel since they areall in Series 2, three rookie players are availableonly in the parallel. Special cards for Ray Allen, Stephon Marburyand ShareefAbdul-Rahim feature draft day images and replace card #94 and the two checklists to keep the parallelat an even 100 cards.

1996-97 Skybox Z-Force Basketball Inserts

A total of seven inserts complete the product along with the Autographics inserts that were found in several Skybox and Fleer products in 1996-97. Big Men on Court is the most notable insert in 1996-97 Skybox Z-Force Basketball based on their tough odds (1:240 S2 packs), intricate design and high resulting values. The die-cut cards spell out the insert name in lower case, bubble letters. There is also a Z-Peat parallel that features gold foil.

Zebut inserts are also popular given theycoversome of the top young players, including Kobe Bryant. Featuring silver, the embossed insert also has a Z-Peat parallel. Slam Cam showcases top dunkers with a Refractor-like background. The cards are among the toughest pulls in the product at 1:240 Series 1 packs. Lastly, there is a rare Total Zshort print for Grant Hill that is only found in Series 2 boxes.

Although 1996-97 Skybox Z-Force Basketball boxes are not impossible to find, they don't show up often and are not cheap. Collectors should pay close attention to the seriesof the sealed wax as many inserts are specific to one release and some are exclusive to hobby or retail.

Set Checklist

1996-97 Skybox Z-Force Basketball Checklist

Base Set Checklist

ZUP=Zupermensubset.

Series 1
1 Mookie Blaylock - Atlanta Hawks
2 Alan Henderson - Atlanta Hawks
3 Christian Laettner - Atlanta Hawks
4 Steve Smith - Atlanta Hawks
5 Rick Fox - Boston Celtics
6 Dino Radja - Boston Celtics
7 Eric Williams - Boston Celtics
8 Muggsy Bogues - Charlotte Hornets
9 Larry Johnson - New York Knicks
10 Glen Rice - Charlotte Hornets
11 Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls
12 Toni Kukoc - Chicago Bulls
13 Scottie Pippen - Chicago Bulls
14 Dennis Rodman - Chicago Bulls
15 Terrell Brandon - Cleveland Cavaliers
16 Bobby Phills - Cleveland Cavaliers
17 Bob Sura - Cleveland Cavaliers
18 Jim Jackson - Dallas Mavericks
19 Jason Kidd - Dallas Mavericks
20 Jamal Mashburn - Dallas Mavericks
21 George McCloud - Dallas Mavericks
22 Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf - Sacramento Kings
23 Antonio McDyess - Denver Nuggets
24 Dikembe Mutombo - Atlanta Hawks
25 Joe Dumars - Detroit Pistons
26 Grant Hill - Detroit Pistons
27 Allan Houston - New York Knicks
28 Otis Thorpe - Detroit Pistons
29 Chris Mullin - Golden State Warriors
30 Joe Smith - Golden State Warriors
31 Latrell Sprewell - Golden State Warriors
32 Sam Cassell - Houston Rockets
33 Clyde Drexler - Houston Rockets
34 Robert Horry - Houston Rockets
35 Hakeem Olajuwon - Houston Rockets
36 Travis Best - Indiana Pacers
37 Dale Davis - Indiana Pacers
38 Reggie Miller - Indiana Pacers
39 Rik Smits - Indiana Pacers
40 Brent Barry - Los Angeles Clippers
41 Loy Vaught - Los Angeles Clippers
42 Brian Williams - Los Angeles Clippers
43 Cedric Ceballos - Los Angeles Lakers
44 Eddie Jones - Los Angeles Lakers
45 Nick Van Exel - Los Angeles Lakers
46 Tim Hardaway - Miami Heat
47 Alonzo Mourning - Miami Heat
48 Kurt Thomas - Miami Heat
49 Walt Williams - Miami Heat
50 Vin Baker - Milwaukee Bucks
51 Glenn Robinson - Milwaukee Bucks
52 Kevin Garnett - Minnesota Timberwolves
53 Tom Gugliotta - Minnesota Timberwolves
54 Isaiah Rider - Portland Trail Blazers
55 Shawn Bradley - New Jersey Nets
56 Chris Childs - New York Knicks
57 Jayson Williams - New Jersey Nets
58 Patrick Ewing - New York Knicks
59 Anthony Mason - Charlotte Hornets
60 Charles Oakley - New York Knicks
61 Nick Anderson - Orlando Magic
62 Horace Grant - Orlando Magic
63 Anfernee Hardaway - Orlando Magic
64 Shaquille O'Neal - Los Angeles Lakers
65 Dennis Scott - Orlando Magic
66 Jerry Stackhouse - Philadelphia 76ers
67 Clarence Weatherspoon - Philadelphia 76ers
68 Charles Barkley - Phoenix Suns
69 Michael Finley - Phoenix Suns
70 Kevin Johnson - Phoenix Suns
71 Clifford Robinson - Portland Trail Blazers
72 Arvydas Sabonis - Portland Trail Blazers
73 Rod Strickland - Washington Bullets
74 Tyus Edney - Sacramento Kings
75 Brian Grant - Sacramento Kings
76 Billy Owens - Sacramento Kings
77 Mitch Richmond - Sacramento Kings
78 Vinny Del Negro - San Antonio Spurs
79 Sean Elliott - San Antonio Spurs
80 Avery Johnson - San Antonio Spurs
81 David Robinson - San Antonio Spurs
82 Hersey Hawkins - Seattle SuperSonics
83 Shawn Kemp - Seattle SuperSonics
84 Gary Payton - Seattle SuperSonics
85 Detlef Schrempf - Seattle SuperSonics
86 Doug Christie - Toronto Raptors
87 Damon Stoudamire - Toronto Raptors
88 Sharone Wright - Toronto Raptors
89 Jeff Hornacek - Utah Jazz
90 Karl Malone - Utah Jazz
91 John Stockton - Utah Jazz
92 Greg Anthony - Vancouver Grizzlies
93 Bryant Reeves - Vancouver Grizzlies
94 Byron Scott - Vancouver Grizzlies
95 Juwan Howard - Washington Bullets
96 Gheorghe Muresan - Washington Bullets
97 Rasheed Wallace - Portland Trail Blazers
98 Chris Webber - Washington Bullets
99 Checklist #1
100 Checklist #2

Series 2
101 Dikembe Mutombo - Atlanta Hawks
102 Dee Brown - Boston Celtics
103 Dell Curry - Charlotte Hornets
104 Vlade Divac - Charlotte Hornets
105 Anthony Mason - Charlotte Hornets
106 Robert Parish - Chicago Bulls
107 Oliver Miller - Dallas Mavericks
108 Eric Montross - Dallas Mavericks
109 Ervin Johnson - Denver Nuggets
110 Stacey Augmon - Detroit Pistons
111 Charles Barkley - Houston Rockets
112 Jalen Rose - Indiana Pacers
113 Rodney Rogers - Los Angeles Clippers
114 Shaquille O'Neal - Los Angeles Lakers
115 Dan Majerle - Miami Heat
116 Kendall Gill - New Jersey Nets
117 Khalid Reeves - New Jersey Nets
118 Allan Houston - New York Knicks
119 Larry Johnson - New York Knicks
120 John Starks - New York Knicks
121 Rony Seikaly - Orlando Magic
122 Gerald Wilkins - Orlando Magic
123 Michael Cage - Philadelphia 76ers
124 Derrick Coleman - Philadelphia 76ers
125 Sam Cassell - Phoenix Suns
126 Danny Manning - Phoenix Suns
127 Robert Horry - Phoenix Suns
128 Kenny Anderson - Portland Trail Blazers
129 Isaiah Rider - Portland Trail Blazers
130 Rasheed Wallace - Portland Trail Blazers
131 Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf - Sacramento Kings
132 Vernon Maxwell - San Antonio Spurs
133 Dominique Wilkins - San Antonio Spurs
134 Hubert Davis - Toronto Raptors
135 Popeye Jones - Toronto Raptors
136 Anthony Peeler - Vancouver Grizzlies
137 Tracy Murray - Washington Bullets
138 Rod Strickland - Washington Bullets
139 Shareef Abdur-Rahim - Vancouver Grizzlies RC
140 Ray Allen - Milwaukee Bucks RC
141 Shandon Anderson - Utah Jazz RC
142 Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers RC
143 Marcus Camby - Toronto Raptors RC
144 Erick Dampier - Indiana Pacers RC
145 Emanual Davis - Houston Rockets RC
146 Tony Delk - Charlotte Hornets RC
147 Todd Fuller - Golden State Warriors RC
148 Darvin Ham - Denver Nuggets RC
149 Othella Harrington - Houston Rockets RC
150 Shane Heal - Minnesota Timberwolves RC
151 Allen Iverson - Philadelphia 76ers RC
152 Dontae' Jones - New York Knicks RC
153 Kerry Kittles - New Jersey Nets RC
154 Priest Lauderdale - Atlanta Hawks RC
155 Matt Maloney - Houston Rockets RC
156 Stephon Marbury - Minnesota Timberwolves RC
157 Walter McCarty - New York Knicks RC
158 Steve Nash - Phoenix Suns RC
159 Jermaine O'Neal - Portland Trail Blazers RC
160 Ray Owes - Golden State Warriors RC
161 Vitaly Potapenko - Cleveland Cavaliers RC
162 Roy Rogers - Vancouver Grizzlies RC
163 Antoine Walker - Boston Celtics RC
164 Samaki Walker - Dallas Mavericks RC
165 Ben Wallace - Washington Bullets RC
166 John Wallace - New York Knicks RC
167 Jerome Williams - Detroit Pistons RC
168 Lorenzen Wright - Los Angeles Clippers RC
169 Vin Baker - Milwaukee Bucks ZUP
170 Charles Barkley - Houston Rockets ZUP
171 Patrick Ewing - New York Knicks ZUP
172 Michael Finley - Phoenix Suns ZUP
173 Kevin Garnett - Minnesota Timberwolves ZUP
174 Anfernee Hardaway - Orlando Magic ZUP
175 Grant Hill - Detroit Pistons ZUP
176 Juwan Howard - Washington Bullets ZUP
177 Jim Jackson - Dallas Mavericks ZUP
178 Eddie Jones - Los Angeles Lakers ZUP
179 Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls ZUP
180 Shawn Kemp - Seattle SuperSonics ZUP
181 Jason Kidd - Dallas Mavericks ZUP
182 Karl Malone - Utah Jazz ZUP
183 Antonio McDyess - Denver Nuggets ZUP
184 Reggie Miller - Indiana Pacers ZUP
185 Alonzo Mourning - Miami Heat ZUP
186 Hakeem Olajuwon - Houston Rockets ZUP
187 Shaquille O'Neal - Los Angeles Lakers ZUP
188 Gary Payton - Seattle SuperSonics ZUP
189 Mitch Richmond - Sacramento Kings ZUP
190 Clifford Robinson - Portland Trail Blazers ZUP
191 David Robinson - San Antonio Spurs ZUP
192 Glenn Robinson - Milwaukee Bucks ZUP
193 Dennis Rodman - Chicago Bulls ZUP
194 Joe Smith - Golden State Warriors ZUP
195 Jerry Stackhouse - Philadelphia 76ers ZUP
196 John Stockton - Utah Jazz ZUP
197 Damon Stoudamire - Toronto Raptors ZUP
198 Chris Webber - Washington Bullets ZUP
199 Checklist #3
200 Checklist #4

Base Z-Clings Blank Back Set Checklist

100 cards. 1 per Series 1 pack.

Card #94, 99 and 100 replaced by R1, R2 and R3.

1 Mookie Blaylock - Atlanta Hawks
2 Alan Henderson - Atlanta Hawks
3 Christian Laettner - Atlanta Hawks
4 Steve Smith - Atlanta Hawks
5 Rick Fox - Boston Celtics
6 Dino Radja - Boston Celtics
7 Eric Williams - Boston Celtics
8 Muggsy Bogues - Charlotte Hornets
9 Larry Johnson - New York Knicks
10 Glen Rice - Charlotte Hornets
11 Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls
12 Toni Kukoc - Chicago Bulls
13 Scottie Pippen - Chicago Bulls
14 Dennis Rodman - Chicago Bulls
15 Terrell Brandon - Cleveland Cavaliers
16 Bobby Phills - Cleveland Cavaliers
17 Bob Sura - Cleveland Cavaliers
18 Jim Jackson - Dallas Mavericks
19 Jason Kidd - Dallas Mavericks
20 Jamal Mashburn - Dallas Mavericks
21 George McCloud - Dallas Mavericks
22 Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf - Sacramento Kings
23 Antonio McDyess - Denver Nuggets
24 Dikembe Mutombo - Atlanta Hawks
25 Joe Dumars - Detroit Pistons
26 Grant Hill - Detroit Pistons
27 Allan Houston - New York Knicks
28 Otis Thorpe - Detroit Pistons
29 Chris Mullin - Golden State Warriors
30 Joe Smith - Golden State Warriors
31 Latrell Sprewell - Golden State Warriors
32 Sam Cassell - Houston Rockets
33 Clyde Drexler - Houston Rockets
34 Robert Horry - Houston Rockets
35 Hakeem Olajuwon - Houston Rockets
36 Travis Best - Indiana Pacers
37 Dale Davis - Indiana Pacers
38 Reggie Miller - Indiana Pacers
39 Rik Smits - Indiana Pacers
40 Brent Barry - Los Angeles Clippers
41 Loy Vaught - Los Angeles Clippers
42 Brian Williams - Los Angeles Clippers
43 Cedric Ceballos - Los Angeles Lakers
44 Eddie Jones - Los Angeles Lakers
45 Nick Van Exel - Los Angeles Lakers
46 Tim Hardaway - Miami Heat
47 Alonzo Mourning - Miami Heat
48 Kurt Thomas - Miami Heat
49 Walt Williams - Miami Heat
50 Vin Baker - Milwaukee Bucks

51 Glenn Robinson - Milwaukee Bucks
52 Kevin Garnett - Minnesota Timberwolves
53 Tom Gugliotta - Minnesota Timberwolves
54 Isaiah Rider - Portland Trail Blazers
55 Shawn Bradley - New Jersey Nets
56 Chris Childs - New York Knicks
57 Jayson Williams - New Jersey Nets
58 Patrick Ewing - New York Knicks
59 Anthony Mason - Charlotte Hornets
60 Charles Oakley - New York Knicks
61 Nick Anderson - Orlando Magic
62 Horace Grant - Orlando Magic
63 Anfernee Hardaway - Orlando Magic
64 Shaquille O'Neal - Los Angeles Lakers
65 Dennis Scott - Orlando Magic
66 Jerry Stackhouse - Philadelphia 76ers
67 Clarence Weatherspoon - Philadelphia 76ers
68 Charles Barkley - Phoenix Suns
69 Michael Finley - Phoenix Suns
70 Kevin Johnson - Phoenix Suns
71 Clifford Robinson - Portland Trail Blazers
72 Arvydas Sabonis - Portland Trail Blazers
73 Rod Strickland - Washington Bullets
74 Tyus Edney - Sacramento Kings
75 Brian Grant - Sacramento Kings
76 Billy Owens - Sacramento Kings
77 Mitch Richmond - Sacramento Kings
78 Vinny Del Negro - San Antonio Spurs
79 Sean Elliott - San Antonio Spurs
80 Avery Johnson - San Antonio Spurs
81 David Robinson - San Antonio Spurs
82 Hersey Hawkins - Seattle Supersonics
83 Shawn Kemp - Seattle Supersonics
84 Gary Payton - Seattle Supersonics
85 Detlef Schrempf - Seattle Supersonics
86 Doug Christie - Toronto Raptors
87 Damon Stoudamire - Toronto Raptors
88 Sharone Wright - Toronto Raptors
89 Jeff Hornacek - Utah Jazz
90 Karl Malone - Utah Jazz
91 John Stockton - Utah Jazz
92 Greg Anthony - Vancouver Grizzlies
93 Bryant Reeves - Vancouver Grizzlies
95 Juwan Howard - Washington Bullets
96 Gheorghe Muresan - Washington Bullets
97 Rasheed Wallace - Portland Trail Blazers
98 Chris Webber - Washington Bullets
R-1 Ray Allen - Milwaukee Bucks
R-2 Stephon Marbury - Minnesota Timberwolves
R-3 Shareef Abdur-Rahim - Vancouver Grizzlies

1996-97 Skybox Z-Force Basketball Autograph Checklist

Autographics Redemption Set Checklist

Skybox Premium Autographics are found across multiple1996-97 Skybox/Fleer products.

1996-97 Skybox Z-Force Basketball Insert Checklist

Big Men On Court Set Checklist

10 cards. 1:240 Series 2 packs.

PARALLEL CARDS: Z-Peat (1:1,120 packs).

1 Charles Barkley - Houston Rockets
2 Anfernee Hardaway - Orlando Magic
3 Grant Hill - Detroit Pistons
4 Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls
5 Shawn Kemp - Seattle SuperSonics

6 Alonzo Mourning - Miami Heat
7 Hakeem Olajuwon - Houston Rockets
8 Shaquille O'Neal - Los Angeles Lakers
9 Scottie Pippen - Chicago Bulls
10 David Robinson - San Antonio Spurs

Grant Hill Total Z Set Checklist

1 card. 1:900 Series 2 packs.

1 Grant Hill - Detroit Pistons

Little Big Men Set Checklist

10 cards. 1:36 Series 2 Retail packs.

1 Kenny Anderson - Portland Trail Blazers
2 Mookie Blaylock - Atlanta Hawks
3 Muggsy Bogues - Charlotte Hornets
4 Terrell Brandon - Cleveland Cavaliers
5 Allen Iverson - Philadelphia 76ers

6 Avery Johnson - San Antonio Spurs
7 Kevin Johnson - Phoenix Suns
8 Stephon Marbury - Minnesota Timberwolves
9 Gary Payton - Seattle SuperSonics
10 Nick Van Exel - Los Angeles Lakers

Slam Cam Set Checklist

9 cards. 1:240 Series 1 packs.

SC1 Clyde Drexler - Houston Rockets
SC2 Michael Finley - Phoenix Suns
SC3 Anfernee Hardaway - Orlando Magic
SC4 Grant Hill - Detroit Pistons
SC5 Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls

SC6 Shawn Kemp - Seattle Supersonics
SC7 Karl Malone - Utah Jazz
SC8 Antonio McDyess - Denver Nuggets
SC9 Shaquille O'Neal - Orlando Magic

Swat Team Set Checklist

9 cards. 1:72 Series 1 Hobby packs.

ST1 Patrick Ewing - New York Knicks
ST2 Kevin Garnett - Minnesota Timberwolves
ST3 Alonzo Mourning - Miami Heat
ST4 Dikembe Mutombo - Denver Nuggets
ST5 Hakeem Olajuwon - Houston Rockets

ST6 Shaquille O'Neal - Orlando Magic
ST7 David Robinson - San Antonio Spurs
ST8 Dennis Rodman - Chicago Bulls
ST9 Joe Smith - Golden State Warriors

Vortex Set Checklist

15 cards. 1:36 Series 1 Retail packs.

V1 Charles Barkley - Phoenix Suns
V2 Anfernee Hardaway - Orlando Magic
V3 Grant Hill - Detroit Pistons
V4 Juwan Howard - Washington Bullets
V5 Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls
V6 Jason Kidd - Dallas Mavericks
V7 Reggie Miller - Indiana Pacers
V8 Gary Payton - Seattle SuperSonics

V9 Scottie Pippen - Chicago Bulls
V10 Mitch Richmond - Sacramento Kings
V11 Glenn Robinson - Milwaukee Bucks
V12 Arvydas Sabonis - Portland Trail Blazers
V13 Jerry Stackhouse - Philadelphia 76ers
V14 John Stockton - Utah Jazz
V15 Damon Stoudamire - Toronto Raptors

Zebut Set Checklist

20 cards. 1:24 Series 2 Hobby packs.

PARALLEL CARDS: Z-Peat.

1 Shareef Abdur-Rahim - Vancouver Grizzlies
2 Ray Allen - Milwaukee Bucks
3 Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers
4 Marcus Camby - Toronto Raptors
5 Erick Dampier - Indiana Pacers
6 Todd Fuller - Golden State Warriors
7 Othella Harrington - Houston Rockets
8 Allen Iverson - Philadelphia 76ers
9 Kerry Kittles - New Jersey Nets
10 Priest Lauderdale - Atlanta Hawks

11 Stephon Marbury - Minnesota Timberwolves
12 Steve Nash - Phoenix Suns
13 Jermaine O'Neal - Portland Trail Blazers
14 Ray Owes - Golden State Warriors
15 Vitaly Potapenko - Cleveland Cavaliers
16 Roy Rogers - Vancouver Grizzlies
17 Antoine Walker - Boston Celtics
18 Samaki Walker - Dallas Mavericks
19 John Wallace - New York Knicks
20 Lorenzen Wright - Los Angeles Clippers

Zensations Set Checklist

20 cards. 1:6 Series 2 packs.

1 Shareef Abdur-Rahim - Vancouver Grizzlies
2 Ray Allen - Milwaukee Bucks
3 Nick Anderson - Orlando Magic
4 Vin Baker - Milwaukee Bucks
5 Mookie Blaylock - Atlanta Hawks
6 Calbert Cheaney - Washington Bullets
7 Kevin Garnett - Minnesota Timberwolves
8 Horace Grant - Orlando Magic
9 Tim Hardaway - Miami Heat
10 Allen Iverson - Philadelphia 76ers

11 Avery Johnson - San Antonio Spurs
12 Kevin Johnson - Phoenix Suns
13 Danny Manning - Phoenix Suns
14 Stephon Marbury - Minnesota Timberwolves
15 Jamal Mashburn - Dallas Mavericks
16 Glen Rice - Charlotte Hornets
17 Isaiah Rider - Portland Trail Blazers
18 Latrell Sprewell - Golden State Warriors
19 Rod Strickland - Washington Bullets
20 Nick Van Exel - Los Angeles Lakers

Promos Set Checklist

2 cards.

Grant Hill / Jerry Stackhouse

Grant Hill - Detroit Pistons