How Does a Kid From Soviet Lithuania End Up With Jordan Rookies? Arunas | 3rd Down Pulled

This week, Ben is joined live at London Card Show by Arunas (@arunasb_ltu). He grew up in Soviet Lithuania with nothing to buy, not even chewing gum, and now he turns up at The National with Jordans and Curry rookie autos. His first cards came from neighbours visiting from America: two packs of Hoops shared between eight kids, two cards each. He still has his Don Nelson coach card, and explains why it means more to him than any Jordan rookie. He talks about buying hobby boxes every payday while living in London, hitting Steph Curry rookies, grading, and why he'll happily upgrade a card and sell the lower grade. He also gives a tour of the European show scene, from the Nordic Card Show to Poland, France, Spain and Germany, and shares his advice on buying basketball cards, the lessons from buying the Luka hype, and the sealed Prism case he's saving for his birthday. Follow Arunas on Instagram @arunasb_ltu Chapters 00:00 Intro: the International Man of Mystery 01:06 Growing up in the Soviet Union 02:48 The Don Nelson card and 1992 04:58 Hobby boxes in London and Curry rookies 07:31 Grading, upgrading and the US mindset 10:04 Grails and sentimental value 11:10 Card shows across Europe 16:02 Getting to UK shows 17:20 Selling Jordans at The National 18:20 Where to start with basketball cards 20:16 Buying the hype: lessons from Luka 22:05 Saving a Prism case for his birthday 23:03 Wrap-up Follow us on Instagram @3rddownuk for more from the UK hobby.