Panini Blog Panini America Unveils Redemption, Booth Plans for 2013 NBA All-Star Jam Session

[Panini Blog]

It seems only fitting that the 2013 NBA All-Star Jam Session begins this Thursday, on Valentine’s Day. After all, seemingly everything basketball fans love about the NBA will be on display inside Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center — including the passionate, bustling, must-visit destination known as the Panini America booth.
There will a little bit of something for the hoops lover in all of us at the Panini America booth beginning later this week, including four unique show-exclusive redemption sets and special free-autograph appearances from Thomas Robinson, Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. (And that’s not even counting the special Thursday afternoon signing with Houston Rockets superstar James Harden at the Houston Sports Connection.)
But first, let’s focus on the show-exclusive sets that will be available at the Panini America booth as soon as the Jam Session opens on Thursday to fans and collectors who make qualifying purchases at the NBA Store. Panini America has developed three different six-card sets:

• Franchise Greats: This Hoops-inspired set includes cards of Panini America exclusives Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin, current NBA superstars Harden and Deron Williams, and Houston Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon.
• 2011-12 Rookie Stars: Utilizing the 2012-13 Threads Basketball design, this set pays tribute to standout members of the 2011 draft class (Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, Brandon Knight, Kenneth Faried, Kemba Walker and Klay Thompson)
• 2012-13 Rookie Stars: Similar to the above rookie tribute, but honoring members of the 2012 drat class (Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson, Harrison Barnes, Austin Rivers and Jared Sullinger)

Fans and collectors will receive their choice of these sets for every $10 they spend on Panini America products at the Jam Session’s NBA store (customers must present their receipt at the Panini America booth).
In addition, the company has produced nine special NBA All-Star Game patch cards (including Bryant, Durant, Griffin, Harden, Deron Williams, Irving, Davis and Olajuwon) that will be available to fans and collectors who purchase $25 worth of Panini America product at the NBA store (one patch card for every $25 spent.)
You can get your first look at all of the special cards in the gallery below.
As for player signings inside the Panini America booth, here’s the schedule:
Friday, February 15Thomas Robinson — 4-5:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 16
Anthony Davis — 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist — 3:45-4:45 p.m.
Enjoy the gallery that follows and stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for continuing coverage of the 2013 NBA All-Star Game.

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