Naismith Trophy
Encyclopedia
The Naismith Trophy is a trophy
awarded to the men's champion of the FIBA World Championship
, and is named for basketball inventor James Naismith
. The trophy was first awarded for the winner of the 1967 FIBA World Championship
. The current version of the trophy was awarded for the first time at the 1998 FIBA World Championship
.
As early as the first tournament in 1950, FIBA had decided to name the trophy in honor of Naismith, but did not have the funds to create the trophy. Finally, in 1965, FIBA received a US $1,000 donation and commissioned a trophy. The trophy was introduced at the 1967 tournament and was awarded to the Soviet Union
, which won their first ever FIBA World Championship at the tournament.
The original trophy was remodeled and a new, updated trophy was introduced for the 1998 FIBA World Championship
. The original trophy now sits at the Pedro Ferrándiz
Foundation in Spain. The new Naismith Trophy was forged by Goldsmith master Günter Schoebel who came from Bad Kreuznach
, Germany
. The design of the trophy was inspired by the travels of long-time FIBA Secretary General Renato William Jones
. The new trophy was presented to the World Champions from Yugoslavia
for the first time following the Finals on 9 August 1998 in Athens
.
The top part of the newly created Naismith Trophy has a lotus flower design. The decagonal rotating middle piece, with carved maps of the continents and precious stones inlaid, symbolizes the five continents. Black onyx, yellow citrine, green chyrsopase, red garnet and blue topaz represent all the regions in the world. Jones was particularly enamored with Egypt; the lotus design was inspired by the Temples of Karnak
and Dr. Naismith's name is engraved on all four sides in Latin
and Arabic
scripts, Chinese characters, and Egyptian hieroglyphs
.
The 975/1000 sterling silver
on the upper and lower parts – gold plated on the inside – and the 14-carat yellow gold middle part make the cup particularly valuable and precious. The base is made of Rosa Porrhino marble and measures 20 x 20 centimeters (7.9 inches). The top of the cup has a circumference of 21 centimeters (8.3 inches). Standing 47 centimeters tall (18.5 inches), the trophy weighs a whopping nine kilograms (20 pounds).
Trophy
A trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics...
awarded to the men's champion of the FIBA World Championship
FIBA World Championship
The FIBA World Championship is an international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of the International Basketball Federation , the sport's global governing body...
, and is named for basketball inventor James Naismith
James Naismith
The first game of "Basket Ball" was played in December 1891. In a handwritten report, Naismith described the circumstances of the inaugural match; in contrast to modern basketball, the players played nine versus nine, handled a soccer ball, not a basketball, and instead of shooting at two hoops,...
. The trophy was first awarded for the winner of the 1967 FIBA World Championship
1967 FIBA World Championship
The 1967 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Montevideo, Uruguay from May 27 to June 11, 1967.-Venues:- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:...
. The current version of the trophy was awarded for the first time at the 1998 FIBA World Championship
1998 FIBA World Championship
The 1998 FIBA World Championship was the 13th FIBA World Championship, an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation and hosted in Athens, Greece from July 29 to August 9, 1998...
.
As early as the first tournament in 1950, FIBA had decided to name the trophy in honor of Naismith, but did not have the funds to create the trophy. Finally, in 1965, FIBA received a US $1,000 donation and commissioned a trophy. The trophy was introduced at the 1967 tournament and was awarded to the Soviet Union
Soviet Union national basketball team
The Soviet national basketball team was the basketball side that represented the Soviet Union in international competitions. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the successor countries all set up their own national teams...
, which won their first ever FIBA World Championship at the tournament.
The original trophy was remodeled and a new, updated trophy was introduced for the 1998 FIBA World Championship
1998 FIBA World Championship
The 1998 FIBA World Championship was the 13th FIBA World Championship, an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation and hosted in Athens, Greece from July 29 to August 9, 1998...
. The original trophy now sits at the Pedro Ferrándiz
Pedro Ferrándiz
Pedro Ferrándiz González is a Spanish basketball coach. He is most famous for coaching Real Madrid basketball club in the 1960s and 1970s. He won record 12 titles in Spanish League, 4 titles in European Champions Cup and 10 titles in Spanish Cup. His combined record coaching Real is 437-90. He...
Foundation in Spain. The new Naismith Trophy was forged by Goldsmith master Günter Schoebel who came from Bad Kreuznach
Bad Kreuznach
Bad Kreuznach is the capital of the district of Bad Kreuznach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is located on the Nahe river, a tributary of the Rhine...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The design of the trophy was inspired by the travels of long-time FIBA Secretary General Renato William Jones
Renato William Jones
Renato William Jones , also known as R. William, or simply William Jones, was a popularizer of basketball in Europe and in Asia...
. The new trophy was presented to the World Champions from Yugoslavia
Serbia national basketball team
The Serbian national basketball team represents Serbia in international basketball matches....
for the first time following the Finals on 9 August 1998 in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
.
The top part of the newly created Naismith Trophy has a lotus flower design. The decagonal rotating middle piece, with carved maps of the continents and precious stones inlaid, symbolizes the five continents. Black onyx, yellow citrine, green chyrsopase, red garnet and blue topaz represent all the regions in the world. Jones was particularly enamored with Egypt; the lotus design was inspired by the Temples of Karnak
Karnak
The Karnak Temple Complex—usually called Karnak—comprises a vast mix of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings, notably the Great Temple of Amun and a massive structure begun by Pharaoh Ramses II . Sacred Lake is part of the site as well. It is located near Luxor, some...
and Dr. Naismith's name is engraved on all four sides in Latin
Latin alphabet
The Latin alphabet, also called the Roman alphabet, is the most recognized alphabet used in the world today. It evolved from a western variety of the Greek alphabet called the Cumaean alphabet, which was adopted and modified by the Etruscans who ruled early Rome...
and Arabic
Arabic alphabet
The Arabic alphabet or Arabic abjad is the Arabic script as it is codified for writing the Arabic language. It is written from right to left, in a cursive style, and includes 28 letters. Because letters usually stand for consonants, it is classified as an abjad.-Consonants:The Arabic alphabet has...
scripts, Chinese characters, and Egyptian hieroglyphs
Egyptian hieroglyphs
Egyptian hieroglyphs were a formal writing system used by the ancient Egyptians that combined logographic and alphabetic elements. Egyptians used cursive hieroglyphs for religious literature on papyrus and wood...
.
The 975/1000 sterling silver
Sterling silver
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by mass of silver and 7.5% by mass of other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness of 925....
on the upper and lower parts – gold plated on the inside – and the 14-carat yellow gold middle part make the cup particularly valuable and precious. The base is made of Rosa Porrhino marble and measures 20 x 20 centimeters (7.9 inches). The top of the cup has a circumference of 21 centimeters (8.3 inches). Standing 47 centimeters tall (18.5 inches), the trophy weighs a whopping nine kilograms (20 pounds).