There's much more than bragging rights on the line for the In-Season Tournament winner.
In addition to prize money for the players and coaching staff, the team that comes out on top in the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament will earn a new trophy called "The NBA Cup." The trophy is a unique addition to the league's trophy collection and pays homage to the tournament in some creative ways.
The Sporting News takes a closer look at the details that make up the NBA Cup.
MORE: All you need to know about how the In-Season Tournament works
What is the NBA In-Season Tournament trophy called?
The team that wins the In-Season Tournament will take home "The NBA Cup," a trophy inspired by a diamond ring that features eight prongs flowing into the channels of a cup.
Here's what the NBA Cup looks like:
The NBA Cup 🏆
— NBA (@NBA) December 4, 2023
Custom made for the In-Season Tournament Champs 🔥👀 pic.twitter.com/yXXri284je
In addition to the NBA Cup, each player on the winning team will receive an In-Season Tournament Medal. Awarding the winning team with medals is a custom across most basketball tournaments, from the FIBA World Cup to the Olympics.
The NBA Cup being a cup is also a nod to other sports competitions.
How big is the NBA Cup?
The NBA Cup is 23 inches tall to represent the first year of the tournament. The prongs are 18 inches and the base, which is a blend of Eastern Conference and Western Conference championship bases, is five inches.
For comparison, the Larry O'Brien Trophy, which is awarded to the team that wins the NBA Finals, is 25.5 inches tall.
MORE: Who is Larry O'Brien?
How much does the NBA Cup weigh?
The NBA Cup weighs 35 pounds to represent the three groups of five teams in each conference that made up the In-Season Tournament's Group Play.
Other details on the trophy that pay homage to the tournament's opening round include 30 net openings on the base for all 30 NBA teams and eight prongs for the teams that advanced to the Knockout Rounds. The three-tier base represents the three games the champion must win in the Knockout Rounds.
How much does the NBA Cup cost?
It's unknown how much the NBA Cup costs, but it's safe to assume it isn't cheap. The trophy was designed by Tiffany & Co. in collaboration with artist Victor Solomon. Plus, it features quite a bit of precious metal.
Does the NBA Cup have gold in it?
The NBA Cup is made in sterling silver and coated in 24-karat gold vermeil and black ceramic.
The gold was chosen to reinforce the "connection to the NBA's trophy offerings" and symbolize "the highest level of achievement." The black coloring is a first for the NBA's trophy collection, a nod to the In-Season Tournament being a new addition to the schedule.
