NBA unveils new trophy designs for award winners, including the Michael Jordan Trophy for the league’s MVP
Dec 13, 2022, 8:47 AM
The Michael Jordan Trophy, to be awarded to the NBA's MVP. (photo courtesy NBA)
(photo courtesy NBA)
Future NBA most valuable players will now get a redesigned trophy depicting one of the best players in league history, Michael Jordan.
In a press release Tuesday morning, the league announced it is rebranding six of its Kia Performance Award trophies designed after NBA legends. The players and the awards they’re attached to include:
- The Jerry West Trophy – Awarded to the Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year
- The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy – Awarded to the Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- The Wilt Chamberlain Trophy – Awarded to the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year
- The John Havlicek Trophy – Awarded to the Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- The George Mikan Trophy – Awarded to the Kia NBA Most Improved Player of the Year
“Our new collection of trophies celebrates some of the greatest and most impactful players in the history of the NBA,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in the league’s statement. “As we recognize the league’s top performers each season, we also pay tribute to the legends who embody these prestigious awards.”
Mark Smith, retired VP of Innovation Special Projects at Nike, Inc., and Jordan Brand designer, worked with Michael Jordan on the design of the trophy. During his 15-year career, Jordan won the league MVP award five times, six NBA Finals and six NBA Finals MVP awards, three NBA All-Star Game MVPs, 10 scoring titles and a plethora of additional honors.
“Sculpting Michael’s vision of his own pursuit of athletic achievement into this award has been the opportunity and challenge of a lifetime,” Smith said in a statement. “As we worked together on this project, it was very important to Michael that the figure not be a likeness of him, but instead that the recipient should be able to see himself in the award. For Michael, naming the award in his honor was recognition enough.”
Introducing six new trophies for the Kia Performance Award Winners, honoring NBA Legends Wilt Chamberlain, John Havlicek, Michael Jordan, George Mikan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Jerry West, designed by Victor Solomon.
— NBA (@NBA) December 13, 2022
