The centerpiece of the In-Season Tournament Final is the “Emirates NBA Cup,” the championship trophy designed by Tiffany & Co. in collaboration with artist Victor Solomon.
Unveiled in July, this gold-colored trophy holds significant symbolism, representing the highest level of achievement in the tournament.
Crafted from sterling silver, coated in 24-karat gold vermeil and black ceramic, and standing at an impressive 23 inches, “The NBA Cup” features intricate design elements that include eight prongs inspired by a diamond ring and a base blending Eastern and Western Conference Championship Trophy designs.
The inspiration behind “The NBA Cup” is multi-faceted, with each detail telling a story.
From the three-tier base representing the three games required to win in the Knockout Rounds to the 23 inches in total height signifying the inaugural year of the In-Season Tournament, every element is carefully thought out.
The trophy aims to capture the essence of the tournament, with 30 net openings on the base representing the 30 NBA teams and 35 lbs. symbolizing the three groups of five teams in each conference for Group Play.
NBA In-Season Tournament MVP Trophy
Accompanying “The NBA Cup” is the NBA In-Season Tournament MVP Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the tournament.
Also designed by Tiffany & Co. and Victor Solomon, this trophy mirrors the championship prong design, with black and gold colors matching its counterpart.
The representation in size, with 15 inches signifying the teams in each NBA conference, and two stems representing the two teams in the Championship Game, adds a unique touch to the MVP trophy.
Medals & All-Team crystal ball
While the winning team won’t receive any competitive incentives, each player will be rewarded with a $500,000 bonus and a medal designed by Victor Solomon.
The medal proudly bears the title “NBA In-Season Tournament Champions” on the front, along with the year, while the back features a silhouette of “The NBA Cup” amidst tournament brackets.
The four extruding balls on the face of the medal represent the four teams competing in the Semifinals.
Additionally, the tournament recognizes standout players with the NBA In-Season Tournament All-Tournament Team Trophies.
Media members will vote to select the five most outstanding players, each of whom will receive a 20-pound black crystal basketball with gold lines and a bracket design.
These trophies, standing at 7.5 inches in height, aim to build a tradition around the event, drawing inspiration from cup competitions in soccer.