Trophy Tour makes a big splash in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Nevada) – The Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas, was the latest stop for the Trophy Tour presented by J9.

The Naismith Trophy, which will be lifted by the winners of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in Manila, the Philippines, on September 10, was taken to famous locations in Las Vegas to be photographed like the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign visitors always see.

The sign (above), designed by the American visual artist and graphic designer, Betty Willis, has a diamond shape with flashing neon lights. The word “Welcome” was created with silver dollars.

Las Vegas has also served as a base for the United States national team, with the Americans having had training camps and played numerous exhibition games in the city over the years.

USA coach Steve Kerry and his staff of Tyronn Lue, Erik Spoelstra, and Mark Few were in town for the Trophy Tour and took a photo with the trophy at Aria Resort and Casino on South Las Vegas Blvd.

USA coaching staff: Few (Gonzaga), Spoelstra (Miami Heat), Kerr (Golden State Warriors) and Lue (LA Clippers)

Next, there were four international basketball players – Paolo Banchero and Tyrese Halliburton (USA), Kai Sotto (Philippines) and Keanu Pinder (Australia) to get an up-close look at the Trophy at an event at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).

The Orlando Magic’s Banchero, the NBA Rookie of the Year, is in the USA team that will play in Manila

Indiana Pacers star Haliburton won the U19 World Cup and will now play for the USA in Manila

Sotto is expected to be with the Philippines when they compete at this summer’s World Cup

Pinder, who once played for the Arizona Wildcats, helped Australia win last summer’s FIBA Asia Cup

Next, at the end of a busy day one of the tour in Las Vegas, was a shoot with the original Hoopbus (below) from Venice, California.

Founded in 2019, The Hoopbus Mission is to REBUILD, EMPOWER & AMPLIFY communities through basketball.

The Naismith Trophy inside Hoopbus

On the second day of the Trophy Tour in Las Vegas, other players, including USA’s Cam Johnson, joined in the fun.

Johnson will play for USA in Manila.

Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets, who will play for the USA at the World Cup, with the Naismith Trophy

Another former NBA player, Matt Barnes (below), who talked about the World Cup on his latest edition of the All The Smoke Podcast with USA’s Austin Reaves, got his photo taken with the Naismith Trophy.

Another former NBA player with a podcast that enjoyed some time with the trophy was former NBA Champion Iman Shumpert.

Former NBA player Iman Shumpert added some excitement to the Trophy Tour.

Fans had an opportunity to take a gander at the biggest prize in international basketball on day two of the tour in Las Vegas.

When they showed up at UNLV, they not only saw the sparkling trophy but were greeted by former NBA star Iman Shumpert.

Shumpert gave out hugs and high-fives and also tested fans about their knowledge of the upcoming World Cup and basketball by asking them questions on both.