What Is the NBA Championship Trophy Name?

When the final buzzer sounds in June and confetti falls from the rafters, one thing matters more than anything else: the trophy. Every NBA fan has seen it lifted above players’ heads. But what exactly is the NBA championship trophy name, and where did it come from?

The official NBA championship trophy name is the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. It’s awarded every year to the winner of the NBA Finals. The trophy stands about 25.5 inches tall, weighs roughly 16 pounds, and is made of sterling silver coated in 24-karat gold. It’s crafted by Tiffany & Co., the same company known for high-end jewelry and championship hardware across major sports.

But that’s just the surface.

This trophy wasn’t always called that. It wasn’t always designed this way. And its meaning has grown with every dynasty, every Game 7, and every unforgettable Finals run.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

– The full history behind the NBA championship trophy name

– Who Larry O’Brien was and why he matters

– How the trophy design evolved

– What changed in the 2022 redesign

– How it compares to other NBA awards

– And some trivia even hardcore fans may not know

Before a team even reaches the Finals and competes for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, they must survive the intense NBA playoff bracket format, where four rounds decide who earns a shot at the championship.

Let’s get into it.

What Is the NBA Championship Trophy Name?

The NBA championship trophy name is the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

It’s given annually to the team that wins the NBA Finals. Unlike some leagues where trophies rotate and get returned, the winning NBA team keeps the trophy permanently. Each year, a new one is made.

Why Is It Called the Larry O’Brien Trophy?

The trophy is named after Larry O’Brien, who served as NBA Commissioner from 1975 to 1984. During his tenure, the league expanded, the salary cap was introduced, and the NBA entered a new era of growth.

The trophy was officially renamed in 1984 to honor O’Brien’s leadership and role in stabilizing and modernizing the league.

Before that, the NBA championship trophy name was different.

The Original NBA Championship Trophy Name

Before 1984, the championship trophy was called the Walter A. Brown Trophy.

Who Was Walter A. Brown?

Walter A. Brown was the original owner of the Boston Celtics and a key figure in early NBA history. The trophy carried his name from 1947 until 1984.

But here’s something interesting: the original trophy wasn’t permanently awarded. It stayed with the defending champion and was passed on to the next winner. That changed later when the NBA began creating a new trophy for each champion.

So technically, the NBA championship trophy name changed in 1984 — but the trophy tradition goes all the way back to the league’s early years.

Anatomy of the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy

The design is simple but meaningful.

The trophy features:

– A regulation-size basketball

– Suspended above a hoop

– Angled slightly forward

– Mounted on a square base

It symbolizes a ball going through the net — the most basic act in basketball.

Size and Materials

– Height: 25.5 inches

– Weight: About 16 pounds

– Material: Sterling silver with 24-karat gold vermeil

– Crafted by: Tiffany & Co.

Each trophy is handmade. The craftsmanship matters. It’s not mass-produced plastic. It’s built like something that should last forever — because in NBA history, it does.

Unique Insight

Most fans focus on who wins it. Few notice the symbolism. The ball isn’t frozen mid-air. It’s already passing through the hoop. It represents completion — the job finished.

That subtle detail captures what winning a championship really means.

The 2022 Redesign: What Changed?

In 2022, the NBA updated the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

The league kept the overall design but refined several details:

– Polished base

– Engraved list of past champions

– Slight design refinements for consistency

The redesign aligned with broader changes to NBA awards branding.

Unlike some dramatic trophy overhauls in other sports, the NBA
didn’t reinvent the look. They respected tradition.

And that matters.

When fans see a photo from 1985 or 2024, they instantly recognize it.

That continuity strengthens the legacy behind the NBA championship trophy name.

What the Trophy Represents in NBA History

This trophy isn’t just hardware. It represents eras.

Think about it:

– The dominance of the Los Angeles Lakers

– The dynasty runs of the Chicago Bulls

– The modern dominance of the Golden State Warriors

Each time the Larry O’Brien Trophy was lifted, it marked a shift in the league’s balance of power.

The Boston Celtics currently hold the record for most championships in NBA history, tied with the Lakers at 17 titles.

Every banner hanging in an arena traces back to one thing: the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

How Teams Receive the Trophy

The trophy presentation has become its own tradition.

After the final buzzer in the NBA Finals:

– The trophy is brought onto the court.

– The Commissioner presents it to the team owner.

– The owner hands it to players.

– Chaos begins.

What’s interesting is that the presentation starts with ownership — not the Finals MVP. That’s a quiet reminder of how franchise structure works in professional sports.

After the team trophy, the Finals MVP receives the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, named after Bill Russell.

Other NBA Trophies (Context Matters)

To fully understand the NBA championship trophy name, it helps to compare it to other major NBA awards.

Conference Championship Trophies

Each conference winner receives a trophy before the Finals.

Regular Season MVP

The MVP receives the Michael Jordan Trophy (renamed in 2022). And while the Finals MVP celebrates postseason dominance, regular-season legends like the youngest NBA MVP winners remind us how early greatness can arrive in this league.

Eastern Conference Trophy

Named after Bob Cousy

Western Conference Trophy

Named after Oscar Robertson

The NBA has leaned into historical naming conventions, linking modern awards to legends.

The Larry O’Brien Trophy fits perfectly into that approach.

Fun Facts About the NBA Championship Trophy Name

Here are a few facts fans often don’t know:

– A new trophy is made every year.

– The trophy costs tens of thousands of dollars to produce.

– Teams get custom replicas made for display.

– Players sometimes chip or dent it during celebrations.

– It travels globally during promotional tours.

The beauty of the NBA is its range — from dominant centers lifting the trophy to stories about the shortest NBA basketball players proving size isn’t everything. And yes — players have been known to drink champagne out of it.

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So now you know the full story behind the NBA championship trophy name.

It’s more than just a shiny object handed out in June. It represents decades of league growth, iconic players, historic rivalries, and the ultimate achievement in professional basketball.

From its early days as the Walter A. Brown Trophy to its current form as the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, the award has evolved alongside the NBA itself.

And the next time you watch a team lift it after winning the NBA Finals, you’ll understand exactly what that moment represents — not just a championship, but a place in history.