Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Influence Shines in Thunder’s Custom Championship Rings
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates played a major role in shaping the design of the Thunder’s new championship rings. The custom pieces reflect each player’s personality, creativity, and connection to the organization.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander helped inspire the Thunder’s championship ring design, showcasing his signature fashion influence. Courtesy of ICNCLST
Basketball fans will forever remember the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2025 NBA Championship as a milestone in modern basketball history. To commemorate their initial title, The Champions Collective (TCC), a division of Jostens, the pioneer of championship jewelry.
Unveiled an extraordinary custom 14-karat gold ring that celebrates not only victory but the enduring spirit of Oklahoma. This masterpiece is more than a symbol of triumph; it is a reflection of craftsmanship, culture, unity, and innovation that defines both the franchise and the city it represents.
A Monument in Gold: The Design of the Thunder’s 2025 NBA Championship Ring
The Thunder’s championship ring is a sight to behold, featuring a ‘ring-within-the-ring’ concept —a bold innovation that redefines what a sports ring can be. The top features the Larry O’Brien Trophy and the words’ NBA CHAMPIONS’, crafted in 14-karat gold and set with over 100 flawless diamonds. Precision-cut diamonds adorn the iconic OKC Shield’s center, representing the unbreakable connection between the players, coaches, and community.
The 46 taper-cut blue sapphires surrounding this centerpiece represent the Thunder’s deep roots in Oklahoma and their loyal fan base. The outer perimeter is illuminated by 71 round diamonds and 34 emerald-cut stones, creating an unparalleled frame for the ring. Every aspect of the ring tells a story of passion, perseverance, and unity. The Thunder’s dedication to excellence in their 68-14 regular season, which was the best in franchise history and one of the most dominant in the modern NBA era, is evident in the craftsmanship.
The Hidden Story: The Groundbreaking Ring-Within-the-Ring Concept
The ring top reveals a transformational inner band that is perhaps the most astonishing feature of this championship treasure. This inner ring is detachable and can be worn separately, allowing players to carry their legacy in a more personal and practical way. Artisans delicately engrave each player’s signature and jersey number in diamonds on the inner band, which is adorned with 94 diamonds.
Every teammate’s engraved numbers surround the band, marking their collective journey and the bond that unites them. The moment the team hoisted the trophy on stage is recreated in a detailed illustration inside, capturing the emotion and glory of their first NBA title. The combination of tradition and innovation through this revolutionary dual-ring design sets a new standard for what championship jewelry can be.
Symbols of Pride: The Ring’s Tribute to Oklahoma and Its People
The Thunder’s 2025 Championship Ring is a tribute to Oklahoma’s pride, perseverance, and passion in every detail. The left side of the ring proudly displays ‘OKLAHOMA CITY’ in contrasting 14-karat white gold, accented by 20 princess-cut blue sapphires. Yellow gold and 60 vibrant orange sapphires surround the player’s last name below it, representing the Thunder’s signature colors and fiery spirit.
The engraving ’68–14′ is located below this elegant design, commemorating their record-breaking regular season. Diamonds and yellow gold surround the player’s number, which symbolizes power and energy, and is a nod to the team’s electrifying style of play below it. On the right panel, the word ‘THUNDER’ is boldly featured in white gold between alternating blue and orange sapphires. The iconic OKC Shield strengthens the franchise’s identity and strength on this side, which sparkles with yellow gold and 30 round diamonds beside the official NBA logo.
Honoring the City’s Legacy: The Oklahoma City National Memorial Tribute
The outer palm side of the ring features an emotional design element engraved in white gold, paying tribute to the Gates of Time and Reflecting Pool at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. By placing two brilliant sapphires together, this design captures the symbolic reflection of water, which is associated with peace, remembrance, and resilience.
‘LABOR OMNIA VINCIT’ translates to ‘Work conquers all’ in Latin inside the ring.
This slogan captures the essence of Oklahoma.
This is a tribute to the hardworking nature of those who live there and the dedication of those who contributed to the Thunder’s historic rise to the top.
A Collaboration of Artistry and Culture: Jostens’ The Champions Collective and Zo Frost
Jostens, which has been shaping the culture of celebration for over a century, continues its legacy through TCC—a brand focused on the artistry, storytelling, and legacy associated with the most coveted symbols in sports.
TCC’s global influence was expanded after designing back-to-back championship rings for the Florida Panthers and collaborating with Premier League champions Liverpool FC and Oklahoma City Thunder.
TCC and Zo Frost, a renowned celebrity jeweler, collaborated to create the Thunder’s iconic ring, whose innovative touches have defined modern luxury in sports fashion. Frost, who has worked with top athletes in the past, brought a firm and youthful energy to the project that accurately represented the Thunder’s energetic personality and the impact of their star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, on fashion and culture.
Fashion, Culture, and Victory: The Influence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The design process was greatly influenced by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), one of the NBA’s most stylish and influential players. The ring’s modern yet timeless design is characterized by SGA’s ability to blend streetwear aesthetics with elegance seamlessly.
“Shai and many of the players are at the forefront of fashion and creativity,” said Chris Poitras, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Jostens’ Professional Sports Division. “Clay Bennett, Sam Presti, and the organization made sure Shai and the players were deeply involved. You’ll see their fingerprints on every detail.”
This collaboration isn’t just jewelry — it’s a mix of fashion, culture, and championship identity that redefines what victory means for a new generation of athletes and fans.
The Visual Language of Victory: Redefining Modern Championship Culture
The Thunder’s 2025 Championship Ring is not only a hardware item, but also a declaration of identity, legacy, and evolution in sports design. This masterpiece’s combination of innovation, storytelling, and emotional symbolism sets a new benchmark for how teams commemorate victory. Each diamond, sapphire, and engraving is a part of a larger story that praises teamwork, perseverance, and Oklahoma’s indomitable spirit.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
