Naismith Trophy on tour in Montenegro

PODGORICA (Montenegro) – Fans in beautiful, scenic Montenegro have gazed at the Naismith Trophy up close ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The Trophy Tour presented by J9 that is taking international basketball’s biggest prize to all of the countries in the 32-team tournament made the rounds in the spectacular surrounds of Podgorica, Rijeka Crnojevica, Pavlova Strana and more to fuel excitement ahead of the World Cup, which tips off on August 25.

The first stop was Rijeka Crnojevica, a town on the Rijeka Crnojevica river, near the coast of Skadar lake, that dates back to the 15th century.

Pavlova Strana is the most popular viewpoint of Lake Skadar National Park and Rijeka Crnojevica River

About 3.5 kilometers to the east is Pavlova Strana, where visitors flock to take in the spectacular view of Lake Skadar National Park and the 12.3km-long Rijeka Crnojevica River.

The Rijeka Crnojevica bridge, also known as Danilo’s Bridge, dates back to 1853

There was also a photo of the trophy snapped at Rijeka Crnojevica bridge, also known as Danilo’s Bridge, which crosses the Crnojević River and is one of the most important historical monuments and tourist attractions in Cetinje municipality.

Gospa Od Skrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks)

Naismith Trophy inside the Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rocks

According to legend, the small, artificial island was made over the centuries by local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding the icon of Madonna and Child on the rock in the sea 1452.

When returning from voyages, they laid a rock in the Bay and over time, the islet gradually emerged from the sea.

Another stop for the trophy was the Town Sveti Stefan (below) on the Adriatic coast.

Town Sveti Stefan on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro, an hour’s drive from Rijeka Crnojevica

Fans gathered round the Naismith Trophy at the Cetinje Main Square

Just 40 minutes away by car west of Podorica is the town Cetinje, the former royal capital of Montenegro. It now has the official residence of the president of Montenegro.

The Clock Tower of Podgorica, built in 1667

The Trophy was photographed in front Sahat Kula (clock tower), one of the few Ottoman landmarks that survived the bombing of Podgorica during World War II. It was also taken to the Partisan Soldier Memorial (below) on Gorica Hill in Podgorica, and the Millennium Bridge.

Trophy at the The Partisan Soldier Memorial on Gorica Hill

Millennium Bridge

Montenegro coach Bosko Radovic will lead the team at the World Cup

In addition to letting fans take a gander at the Naismith Trophy at the BIG Fashion Mall in Podgorica, the famous award was taken to Gorica Hill, where a Mini Basketball Game (below) was played on the Goran Poli Bojanic Outdoor Court.