Nate Archibald (born 1948) played for 14 years in the NBA during the 1970s and 1980s. He spent his career between the Cincinnati Royals, the Kansas City Kings, the New York Nets, the Buffalo Braves, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Boston Celtics.
Coming in at 6ft 1in and 150lb, Archibald, who was nicknamed “Tiny”, finished his career with 16,000 points, 6,000 assists, and 2,000 rebounds.
He was a six time NBA All-Star, three time All NBA First Team, two time All NBA Second Team, an NBA Champion, and in 1973 he was the scoring champion and assists leader.
Archibald grew up in the South Bronx borough of NYC, and he barely played organized sports. Archibald became known in the area as a
playground legend, but he only played a season and a half in high school, during which he was cut from the team for misbehavior.
He later talked about how he almost fell into a life of trouble, but basketball was able to keep him out of it. Archibald remarked in 1980 to Sport Magazine, “It’s interesting how guys who are into drugs are always looking to get other guys involved, as if they want company when they go under. Me? I was always into basketball.”
After almost dropping out of high school, Archibald was encouraged by local leaders, and he was soon able to pick his life back up. Not only was he bought onto his local high school team where he earned All Star awards, but he also turned around his academic career which was preventing him from gaining scholarships.
Archibald attended the University of Texas at El Paso on a scholarship. From 1967 to 1970 Archibald wowed the crowds, and his number 14 was later retired by the school. As a result, he was drafted as 19th overall, which was in the second round at the time.
His most astounding season came in 1973 where he set records for a guard for points (34 per game) and assists (11.4 per game), leading the league in both categories. These high totals, specifically points, were even more unusual and impressive for a guard at the time. He was soon traded to the New York Nets for two draft picks and two players.
Archibald spent two injury ridden seasons for the Nets and the Buffalo Braves, and he then landed at the Celtics.
Some were saying that Archibald was past his prime given his injuries. Helping the critics’ case, Archibald showed up to the Celtics well overweight.
Archibald showed that he was not done. He would be named to three more All Star games, and he helped the Celtics win the championship in 1981. Archibald is partly responsible for helping the Celtics to transition into the Larry Bird 80s era.
After retiring from the NBA in 1984, Archibald stayed busy. He spent time coaching in multiple minor, college, and alternative basketball leagues.
Furthermore, the former almost high school dropout would finish his bachelor’s degree at El Paso, teach in the NYC school system, acquire his night school Master’s Degree at Fordham, and he started the work towards his doctorate.
The Sacramento Kings, the successors to the Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City Kings, retired number 1 in Archibald’s honor. He was also inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Basketball cards remain less common for Archibald’s era, and this article will take you through some of the big ones. He is entirely covered by Topps, which is good news because of the spotty basketball coverage from the 1940s-1980s.
1971 Topps Nate Archibald Rookie Card
The 1971 Topps has 233 cards that measure 2 ½” x 3 ½”. NBA players are featured on cards from #1-144, and ABA players are featured on
cards #145-233. Keys to the set include Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar (then named Lew Alcindor), Dave Cowens, Bob Lanier, and Rick Barry.
The set is decently well preserved. PSA alone has 44,000 cards from the set registered, and over 500 of those cards are of Archibald.
The best condition cards of Archibald sell for several thousand, but they are uncommon. For example, PSA has one Gem Mint card registered. Mint condition cards sell for several hundred each.
1972 Topps Nate Archibald
This set has 264 cards of standard size. The major key to this set is the Julius Erving rookie card, as well as the Artis Gilmore and Phil Jackson rookie cards.
While the 1972 Topps has a similar population as the 1971 Topps, Archibald’s card loses value, so there are fewer up for sale. PSA has less than 200 cards registered for the 1972 Topps Nate Archibald.
A PSA Gem Mint 10 copy sold for $1,426 in 2020. Minto copies have sold for about $200 or less.
It is worth mentioning that in addition to the base card, there is an All Star card. There are about half the number of the All Star cards on the secondary market, and PSA 9’s and 10’s will cost about half or less than half of the base.
1973 Topps Nate Archibald
This set has 264 cards of standard size. Outside of Wilt, Oscar Robertson, Kareem, Jerry West, Julius Erving, and Bob Macadoo’s rookie card, this is an inexpensive set.
Archibald was at the top of his game this year, and his card is featured at #1, which boosts its value a bit.
There are only 128 cards that have been graded by PSA for Nate Archibald.
Gem Mint condition copies would most likely be in the thousands. PSA has zero copies on record. Mint copies have sold for between $600 and $700 pretty consistently over the past decade or more.
1974 Topps Nate Archibald
Once again, Topps Basketball had 264 cards of standard size. The keys mostly stay the same with the addition of the rookie cards of Pat Riley, Bill Walton, and George Gervin.
As the desirability falls, the prices and number of cards preserved fall too. There are only 72 cards registered by PSA.
Given the small number of cards, there are fewer sales. Gem Mint copies should cost a few hundred, and Mint copies should cost about one hundred.
Conclusion
Topps made a card for Archibald until 1979 when Topps discontinued basketball cards for a few years. The last few years of basketball cards are largely inexpensive. Even in Gem Mint condition his cards in the mid to late 70s are worth less than $50.
Archibald played right before basketball took off. The NBA began to pick up steam with the Celtics-Lakers 1980s rivalries, and then it started to explode with the Jordan Bulls. Archibald was a star before these guys were making hundreds of millions.
He is a much humbler star from a much humbler era of basketball. His cards help to capture a standout player from a simpler time.