About the NBA Mascot of the Year Award
The NBA Mascot of the Year Award recognizes the
league's top mascot professional. NBA mascots began holding an annual
conference in 1997, and the Mascot of the Year honor was introduced
in 2005.
Unlike awards such as NBA Most Valuable Player or Rookie of the Year,
Mascot of the Year is not selected by media members. The honor is
determined within the NBA mascot community and recognizes excellence
in entertainment, creativity, fan interaction and the overall work
performed by a team's mascot program.
Clutch of the Houston Rockets became the first NBA
Mascot of the Year in 2005.
NBA Mascot of the Year Winners
| Year |
Mascot |
Team |
| 2026 |
Stuff the Magic Dragon |
Orlando Magic |
| 2025 |
The Gorilla |
Phoenix Suns |
| 2024 |
The Gorilla |
Phoenix Suns |
| 2023 |
Harry the Hawk |
Atlanta Hawks |
| 2022 |
Chuck the Condor |
Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2021 |
Clutch |
Houston Rockets |
| 2020 |
The Coyote |
San Antonio Spurs |
| 2019 |
Rocky the Mountain Lion |
Denver Nuggets |
| 2018 |
Jazz Bear |
Utah Jazz |
| 2017 |
Stuff the Magic Dragon |
Orlando Magic |
| 2016 |
Stuff the Magic Dragon |
Orlando Magic |
| 2015 |
Benny the Bull |
Chicago Bulls |
| 2014 |
The Coyote |
San Antonio Spurs |
| 2013 |
Clutch |
Houston Rockets |
| 2012 |
Crunch the Wolf |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2011 |
Grizz |
Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2010 |
Bango |
Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2009 |
Rumble the Bison |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2008 |
Jazz Bear |
Utah Jazz |
| 2007 |
Hugo the Hornet |
New Orleans Hornets |
| 2006 |
Jazz Bear |
Utah Jazz |
| 2005 |
Clutch |
Houston Rockets |
NBA Mascot of the Year Facts
-
Clutch of the Houston Rockets was the first NBA
Mascot of the Year, winning the inaugural award in 2005.
-
Clutch has won the award three times: 2005, 2013
and 2021.
-
Jazz Bear of the Utah Jazz has also won three times,
taking the honor in 2006, 2008 and 2018.
-
Stuff the Magic Dragon became the first mascot to win
the award in consecutive years when Orlando's mascot won in 2016
and 2017. Stuff won it again in 2026.
-
The Coyote of the San Antonio Spurs has won twice,
in 2014 and 2020.
-
The Gorilla of the Phoenix Suns won in both 2024
and 2025, becoming another back-to-back recipient of the award.
-
The Oklahoma City Thunder's Rumble the Bison won
Mascot of the Year in 2009, the same year the character made his
debut as the Thunder's mascot.
-
Winners have represented teams across both conferences, with mascots
from Houston, Utah, Orlando, San Antonio and Phoenix accounting for
multiple awards.
Most NBA Mascot of the Year Awards
| Mascot |
Team |
Wins |
Years |
| Clutch |
Houston Rockets |
3 |
2005, 2013, 2021 |
| Jazz Bear |
Utah Jazz |
3 |
2006, 2008, 2018 |
| Stuff the Magic Dragon |
Orlando Magic |
3 |
2016, 2017, 2026 |
| The Coyote |
San Antonio Spurs |
2 |
2014, 2020 |
| The Gorilla |
Phoenix Suns |
2 |
2024, 2025 |
NBA Mascots
NBA mascots have become an important part of the league's game-night
entertainment. Their roles include performing during breaks in play,
interacting with fans, participating in community events, appearing at
team functions and creating entertainment for both arena audiences and
fans online.
Some mascots have developed histories nearly as long as the franchises
they represent. Among the league's best-known mascots are Benny the
Bull of Chicago, The Gorilla of Phoenix, Rocky the Mountain Lion of
Denver, Jazz Bear of Utah, The Coyote of San Antonio and Clutch of
Houston.
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