2012 Gold Medalists Receive Rings from USA Basketball, Tiffany & Co.

Houston, Texas • Feb. 17, 2012

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In honor of their gold-medal performance six months ago at the London Olympic Games, some members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic basketball teams were presented with USA Basketball commemorative rings designed by Tiffany & Co.

Team members were given their rings by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo, who also serves as the USA Men’s National Team managing director, in Houston on Saturday night. Following the more intimate presentation, the 2012 Olympic gold medalists were honored on stage during the NBA All-Star Saturday Night festivities and received a roar of applause from the crowd.

For Tiffany & Co., a partner of USA Basketball’s since 2010 and who designed both the USA World Championship Team rings after the U.S. teams claimed gold at both the men’s and women’s Worlds in 2010, for the first time created commemorative rings for Olympic gold-medal winning USA Basketball squads. 

As described by Alicia Jessop of Forbes: “The ring features a background of pavé diamonds that highlights USA 2012 logo finished with red and blue enamel.  The top and bottom bezel reads “Olympic Champions.”  On each side of the bezel is a row of round melee diamonds.  The left shank of the ring reads “London” and “Gold Medal.”  A basketball with the team’s final 8-0 record is also featured on the left shank.  The right shank of the ring includes the player’s name and title, the USA Basketball logo and an American flag draped in the background. The rings are set in 14-carat gold.”

What did some of the 2012 Olympic gold medalists have to say about the rings?

Swin Cash
It’s awesome, awesome and awesome again! The fact that it’s gold and has the diamonds in it, it symbolizes exactly what the gold medal was about. I love it. It’s nice and classy …  sleek. 

Tamika Catchings
Amazing! Ah-mazing! Oh my gosh! It’s absolutely beautiful. You don’t even dream up a ring like that. I opened up the box and was like, ‘woah!’ I’m excited. I can’t wait to put that up on my trophy case.

Anthony Davis (as told to Forbes Magazine)
Words can’t explain what it feels like to have a USA ring.  Most guys don’t accomplish this in their lifetime.  For me to do it at a young age with the guys on the team was a great experience.  It’s an honor to receive this ring tonight.  It’s beautiful.  It’s definitely going to be right next to my NCAA National Championship ring.

Kevin Durant (as told to Forbes Magazine)
I really can’t explain what it feels like to look at it and then go back to the start of training camp in Las Vegas and up to the last game.  Guys sacrificed and we were all in it for each other.  That’s what this symbolizes.  It’s very important to me and it’s a blessing to have this.  Hopefully I’ll get another one.

Maya Moore
What a special way to get the ring. In front of all the basketball fans and just to see everybody’s faces again. It was a really special moment.