The NBA reports that 300 hobby shops in the U.S. and Canada will participate in this year’s Starting 5 promotion. Merchandising kits for the promotion are now being mailed to stores. The promotion runs Nov. 1 to Jan. 15.

All customers who purchase 2008-09 NBA-licensed basketball cards at the participating stores will receive a special vinyl card holder. Once they collect all five designated players (Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, Tony Parker and Chris Paul) from packs, they will receive a special limited-edition card provided by Topps and Upper Deck.

Customers can also register for a chance to win the grand prize, a trip for two to the 2009 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix. More than 300 additional prizes will be available, including a year’s worth of NBA trading cards and NBA trading card binders.