Championship rings are a prized part of any trophy case. But just because personalized jewelry commemorating a title run is among the most valued prizes a player, coach, executive, or anyone else within an organization receives, doesn't mean they don't sometimes find their way onto the sports memorabilia market – fetching a hefty price, of course.

Counterfeiters no doubt had that reality in mind when they tried to get nearly 30 fake championship rings through customs at LAX on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.

“Twenty-eight counterfeit NBA championship rings have been seized by federal authorities at Los Angeles International Airport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says Wednesday that the rings were in a wooden box shipped from China with a final destination in Arizona. Investigators suspect the intent was to sell the phony rings as a collection.”

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) warms up before game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden. Spurs free agency
NBA rumors: Spurs to pursue key Celtics free agentOwen Crisafulli ·
NBA great Kevin Garnett is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Kevin Garnett’s hyped reaction to looming Bronny James-Cooper Flagg showdownAbdullah Imran ·
Nique Clifford greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 24th pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
Oklahoma City Thunder 2025 NBA Draft grades for each pickLorenzo J Reyna ·
Former Seattle Supersonics head coach Lenny Wilkens acknowledges the fans after being introduced during a third quarter timeout of a preseason game between the Utah Jazz and LA Clippers at Climate Pledge Arena.
Lenny Wilkens’ incredible statue unveiled with help from StormAbdullah Imran ·
Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant are leading the Spurs 2025 rookie class
San Antonio Spurs 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickLorenzo J Reyna ·
Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford are the incoming Kings rookies.
Sacramento Kings 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickLorenzo J Reyna ·

Among the counterfeit rings seized in Los Angeles were those featuring trademarks of several teams, including the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers. Officials estimate the total cost of the rings – if they were real, that is – at approximately $550,000.

No arrests have been announced.

The reigning NBA champion Toronto Raptors will receive their rings on October 22, before the season-opener against the New Orleans Pelicans.