NBA Discloses New Trophies In Honor of Division Winners African-American NBA Legends & Pioneers

On Monday the NBA introduced six new trophies.

for every league's division champions and each dedicated to an NBA hero and African-American pioneer,

In collaboration with  the continuing 75th anniversary celebrations.

Nathaniel  "Sweetwater" Clifton,  Earl Lloyd, Wayne Embry,Sam Jones, Willis Reed, and Chuck Cooper are among the six icons being recognized.

The awards, which is now expected to be handed to division champions at the end of every season,

On Thursday, the NBA unveiled six new division-winning trophies.

Victor Solomon designed every one of the trophies,

which have a 200mm crystal ball hanging in the middle with six parts commemorating each of the NBA's divisions.

A gold portion on each trophy signifies the NBA division it symbolizes.

The structure of the trophy base is inspired by the division's national title trophy.

On the front, the trophy's moniker, as well as the title of the team that wins are inscribed,

while the rear is engraved with the league final rankings.

Atlantic Division: The Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton Trophy: Clifton was the first African-American to enter into an agreement with the NBA, and he waas known for being NBA  pioAll-Star in 1957. He competed for the New York Knicks from 1950 to 1957. He guided the Knicks to achieve NBA Conference finals in team history during his rookie season.

Southeast Division: The Earl Lloyd Trophy: Lloyd has been the NBA's first African-American player, competing for the Washington Capitols, Syracuse Nationals, and Detroit Pistons. In 1955, the Army veteran won an NBA championship after nine years in the league.

Northwest Division: The Sam Jones Trophy: As a veteran of the Boston Celtics from 1957 through 1969, Jones, a North Carolina Central College alumnus, has achieved more championships than just about all of the other HBCU alumni who Pacific Division: The Chuck Cooper Trophy: Cooper was the first African-American pioneer to be recruited in the NBA, being chosen 14th overall in the 1950 draft. He completed six nba championships with the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, and Detroit Pistons after serving in the Navy. participated in the NBA. He had been a five-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA performer, and a representative of the NBA's 25th, 50th, and 75th Century Teams. Jones earned the moniker "The Shooter" for his capacity to develop game-winning touchdowns. Throughout a critical period in the 1960s, he advocated for African-American equality in the organization and across the nation.

Pacific Division: The Chuck Cooper Trophy: Cooper was the first African-American pioneer to be recruited in the NBA, being chosen 14th overall in the 1950 draft. He completed six nba championships with the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, and Detroit Pistons after serving in the Navy.

Central Division: The Wayne Embry Trophy: After a long pro career which also involves five NBA All-Star selections as well as an NBA championship in 1968, he and was the first African-American to be named an NBA general manager (with the Milwaukee Bucks). Following his football career, Embry moved towards the front administration, eventually becoming the first African-American to be appointed General Manager. He worked as a basketball executive for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors, winning Basketball Executive of the Year awards in 1992 and 1998.

Southwest Division: The Willis Reed Trophy: Reed, a Grambling State graduate, is the only HBCU alumnus to be both league MVP and Finals MVP. Reed spent most of his NBA career playing for the Knicks, gaining two titles (1969-70, 1972-73). Reed won Rookie of the Year during 1965 and had been selected to the NBA's 50th and 75th Anniversary groups. He had been a seven-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA pick.