On July 31, 2008, Upper Deck released it’s fifth installment of the hobby’s most high-end product, UD Exquisite Collection Basketball.  This year’s release hits hobby shelves with an added flare.  Player-specific boxes, where the outer shell is autographed by one of many NBA superstars, will be randomly inserted into cases of 2007-08 UD Exquisite.

Rolling out for the first time this year are “Exquisite Exclusives,” which consist of player-specific boxes autographed and hand-numbered to the player’s jersey number with exclusive content from only that player found inside. Look for “Exclusive” boxes of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Durant, Yao Ming, Steve Nash, Al Horford or the very special Michael Jordan/LeBron James dual-signed box.

Each “Exquisite Exclusives” box contains:
- A base card of that player.
- Exquisite Exclusives Auto numbered to jersey number of that player
- Exquisite Exclusives Memorabilia numbered to jersey number of that player
- Exquisite Exclusives Auto/Patch numbered to jersey number of that player
- Exquisite Rookie/Patch Auto

Several Kobe Bryant “Exquisite Exclusives” boxes have been pulled to this point (#5, 7, 9, 18/24).  Each box pulled thus far has been kept sealed and has either been sold or is in the process of being sold.  The only box opened that has been opened is #18/24.  Here are three cards from this box:

Kobe Bryant 2007-08 UD Exquisite Dual Jersey 18/24

Kobe Bryant 2007-08 UD Exquisite Autographed Exclusives 18/24

Kobe Bryant 2007-08 UD Exquisite Autographed Patch Exclusives 18/24

Photos above courtesy of eBay members “vinnicky2008″ and “hbkandrvdisme”