NBA unveils new MVP Michael Jordan Award

Salt Lake City, Utah - On Tuesday, the NBA unveiled six newly designed regular-season trophies headlined by The Michael Jordan Trophy, which will be awarded to the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).

The NBA announced it will rename and redesign its MVP trophy after icon Michael Jordan as part of a collection of regular-season honors that will pay tribute to the league's greats.
The NBA announced it will rename and redesign its MVP trophy after icon Michael Jordan as part of a collection of regular-season honors that will pay tribute to the league's greats.  © FRANCK FIFE / AFP

The annual regular-season awards will include a lineup of reimagined trophies that honor league pioneers who helped define the standards of excellence in the NBA.

"Our new collection of trophies celebrates some of the greatest and most impactful players in the history of the NBA," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "As we recognize the league’s top performers each season, we also pay tribute to the legends who embody these prestigious awards."

The Michael Jordan Trophy features an NBA player breaking out of a rock to reach for the ultimate rock: a crystal basketball.

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The trophy is designed as a tribute to the NBA icon, whose illustrious career is recognized all throughout the award.

The trophy rests on a five-sided base with a six-sided name plate to symbolize his five NBA MVP honors and six NBA championships.

The sculpted basketball player stands at a 15-degree angle to celebrate his 15-year-long career, and the 23-point faceted crystal basketball is a nod to Jordan's jersey number.

During his 15-season career reign, Jordan was a five-time MVP winner and arguably the greatest basketball player of his generation. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, namesake of the league's Social Justice Champion award, won more MVP trophies (6).

NBA adds a new regular-season award, Clutch Player of the Year

In addition to the Jordan Trophy, the other renamed awards include:

  • The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year
  • The Wilt Chamberlain Trophy for Rookie of the Year
  • The John Havlicek Trophy for Sixth Man of the Year
  • The George Mikan Trophy for Most Improved Player

The NBA also announced a new regular-season award for Clutch Player of the Year, named after icon Jerry West. West played in nine NBA Finals and remains the only player to win Finals MVP (1969) while losing the series.

The trophy updates are part of a multi-year project to reimagine many of the league's most important awards. Last year, the NBA updated the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, as well as unveiling new conference championship trophies.

Cover photo: Collage: JEFF HAYNES / FRANCK FIFE / AFP

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