Trophy Tour makes first stops in China

BEIJING (China) - The biggest prize in international basketball, the Naismith Trophy, has returned to the familiar surrounds of China thanks to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Trophy Tour presented by J9.

The trophy, won by Spain at the 2019 World Cup in China, had photo shoots at several iconic locations last week after starting with an appearance at Tencent Studio in Beijing.

Tencent Studio, Beijing

The arrival of the trophy at the Tencent Studio coincided with the airing of the Diss Show, a Chinese sports talk show that runs each Monday with the live episode taking place from 7pm to 8:30 pm Beijing Time. Analysts and long-time sports reporters Meng Wang and Yi Yang are the show's co-hosts, with various guests making appearances.

The following day, the trophy was taken to Shanghai's Oriental Pearl Tower, Jinmao Tower and Former French Concession.

The Oriental Pearl Tower is at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Construction of the 420.5-meter-tall Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai began in 1994 and finished in 1999

Former French Concession, Shanghai

That afternoon, the trophy was transported to the city of Suzhou and carried to the Gate of the Orient and Beisi Tower.

The majestic Gate of the Orient in Suzhou, Jiangsu

The historic Beisi Tower in Suzhou, Jiangsu

On May 3, the Trophy Tour continued to Nanjing, where it was photographed at the Nanjing Fuzimiao and at Xuanwu Lake.

The Nanjing Fuzimiao is a tourist attraction on banks of the Qinhuai River in Nanjing

Xuanwu Lake, Nanjing

It was also on the same day back in Beijing. There it appeared at the Joy City Xidan, the Beihai Park, the Sanlitun Commercial District and the Bird's Nest National Stadium.

CCTV, Beijing

Turret of the Forbidden City, Beijing
 Sanlitun Commercial District

Bird's Nest (National Stadium)

On May 4, fans were able to inspect the trophy in Beijing.

The Trophy Tour will have stops in all of the countries that have qualified for the World Cup, an event that tips off on August 25 in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia and concludes on September 10.

FIBA