Kam Mercer smiled when he held an oversized example of his own 2026 Panini Prizm trading card on Thursday, July 30, at Fifth Third Arena, where the Princeton High School senior was hosting 125 youth campers at his namesake basketball ProCamp.

It was the first time the 16-year-old had seen himself on a standalone card. Mercer signed a multi-year, multimillion-dollar NIL deal with Panini America announced in July 2025 and has autographed stickers for the company's products since then. The Prizm card made it real.

"This is my first time seeing myself actually on a card that I'm partnered with Panini," Mercer told WCPO 9 Sports on Thursday at the camp. "So it's pretty cool just to see it. It's not normal to see stuff like this. So I'm definitely going to keep one for myself."

The card shows Mercer in his Princeton jersey with the school name airbrushed out. Tone Stakes, Head of Basketball Licensing for Panini America, said the product is expected to hit shelves within two months.

Mercer's father, Craig Mercer, is an avid card collector with baseball, basketball, and football cards from every major brand. Kam said his dad will appreciate the milestone more than most.

ProCamp draws area youth

Event officials said the 125 campers at the Kam Mercer Youth Basketball ProCamp received instruction from current and former high school coaches and former UC players. The Springdale native, ranked No. 1 in Ohio and No. 36 nationally in the 2027 class by ESPN, verbally committed to the University of Cincinnati in May.

As we reported July 30, Mercer's commitment to UC came alongside his brother Jaylen's pledge to Kentucky football.

Defending a state title

Mercer is preparing to defend a championship. The Princeton Vikings won the program's first-ever OHSAA Division I boys basketball title on March 22, defeating Hilliard Bradley 59-28 at University of Dayton Arena. Princeton finished 25-3 that season under head coach Bryan Wyant, who has been with the program 25 years.

Now a senior, Mercer said the Vikings' 2026-27 schedule will be tougher, featuring prep schools and opponents outside the Greater Miami Conference.

"We're not ducking any smoke. We're willing to play anybody," Mercer said at the ProCamp. "I think that's just pretty cool to see us playing everybody outside of the GMC to see how good we really are."

The OHSAA boys basketball season officially begins Monday, November 30.