STUFF the Magic Dragon has added another line to a résumé that already stretches across generations of Orlando Magic basketball. The longtime Orlando mascot was named the 2026 NBA Mascot of the Year at the annual NBA Mascot Conference, giving him the award for the third time.
That puts STUFF in a class all his own. He previously won in 2016 and 2017, and in doing so became the first mascot in NBA history to take the honor in back-to-back years.
Since debuting in 1989, STUFF has grown into far more than a sideline presence for the Magic. He has become one of the most recognizable faces tied to the franchise, built on nearly four decades of high-flying dunks, on-court antics, fan interactions and appearances away from the arena.
His reach has gone well beyond Orlando, too. STUFF has turned up on nationally recognized television programs and worked his way into pop culture, including a dance-off with Hashtag from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and his infamous marriage proposal to supermodel Kate Upton.
The latest award comes on the heels of another strong year for the mascot, who also picked up the 2025-26 Digital Content Award and Video of the Year Award.
For the Magic, STUFF’s latest recognition is another sign of how deeply he’s woven into the team’s identity after 38 seasons. Fellow NBA mascots voted to determine the winner, and STUFF’s third win only reinforces the place he holds with the organization and its fans.
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