As the Spurs and Knicks faced off for this year’s NBA Cup title under the bright lights of Las Vegas, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver dropped a tantalizing hint that could reshape the future of the league’s in-season tournament. In a pregame appearance on NBA on Prime Video, Silver revealed that the NBA is actively exploring the idea of hosting future NBA Cup finals in iconic college basketball arenas - a move that would blend the league’s modern flair with the deep-rooted nostalgia of the college game.
The suggestion reportedly came from Amazon, which now holds the broadcast rights to the NBA Cup knockout rounds. The tech giant floated the idea of staging future finals in legendary college venues - and honestly, it’s a fascinating concept.
Imagine the NBA’s brightest stars lighting up courts that helped shape the sport’s history. It’s a chance to bring the game full circle, tapping into the soul of basketball while expanding the Cup’s reach into cities that may not currently have an NBA team.
So, if the league does decide to take the NBA Cup on the road to college campuses, where should it go? There’s no shortage of iconic arenas, but here are five that stand out - each steeped in tradition, packed with atmosphere, and ready to host a game with real stakes.
1. Pauley Pavilion (UCLA)
If you’re going to honor basketball’s roots, why not start with the program that set the gold standard? Pauley Pavilion is synonymous with greatness, thanks to John Wooden’s unmatched run of 10 national championships in 12 years.
While the Bruins haven’t hit those heights in recent decades, the aura of Wooden’s legacy still hangs in the rafters. With a large capacity and a prime location in Los Angeles - a city that knows how to host a big event - Pauley would bring both history and Hollywood to the NBA Cup stage.
It’s a venue that feels both intimate and monumental, and it would be a fitting nod to the sport’s collegiate royalty.
2. Hinkle Fieldhouse (Butler)
Step into Hinkle Fieldhouse, and you’re stepping back in time. Opened in 1928, it was once the largest basketball arena in the country and remains one of the most storied gyms in America.
With a capacity just north of 9,000, Hinkle offers a more intimate setting, but that’s part of its magic. It’s a place where the echoes of past glories still bounce off the hardwood.
Sure, Indiana University’s Assembly Hall might be a more obvious choice in the Hoosier State, but Hinkle’s charm and authenticity make it a compelling underdog pick - and isn’t that what the NBA Cup is all about?
3. The Palestra (University of Pennsylvania)
Known as the “Cathedral of College Basketball,” the Palestra is pure hoops history. Opened in 1927 and still home to the Penn Quakers, this Philadelphia gem has seen some of the game’s legends walk through its doors - including local icons like Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant during their high school days.
The Palestra isn’t just a building; it’s a basketball shrine. Hosting an NBA Cup final here would be like playing a championship game in a living museum, where every creak of the floorboards tells a story.
It’s not the biggest arena, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in soul.
4. Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas)
Few places in basketball carry the weight of Allen Fieldhouse. This is James Naismith Court - named after the man who invented the game and founded Kansas’s program.
Naismith may be the only coach in Jayhawks history with a losing record, but his legacy lives on in every inch of this building. Allen Fieldhouse is known for its deafening noise, passionate fans, and rich tradition.
It’s hosted NBA exhibition games before, but imagine a Cup final here - a game that actually counts - in front of one of the most intense crowds in the sport. It would be electric.
5. Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke)
Let’s be honest - if you’re talking about iconic college basketball venues, Cameron Indoor has to be on the list. The only real question is: how do you recreate the Cameron Crazies without Duke playing?
That’s the challenge, because the atmosphere in this place is unlike anything else in basketball. Still, with so many NBA stars having come through Duke’s program, a Cup final here could double as the ultimate homecoming.
It’s tight, loud, and absolutely dripping with history. If the league can find a way to bottle up that energy for an NBA game, Cameron could deliver one of the most unforgettable Cup finals yet.
Looking Ahead
Silver’s comments may have been just a tease, but the idea of taking the NBA Cup to college campuses is more than just a novelty - it’s a chance to deepen the tournament’s identity. The NBA Cup is still carving out its place in the league’s calendar, and hosting the final in a venue that bridges the past and present could be the perfect way to give it more meaning.
From the West Coast legends of Pauley Pavilion to the East Coast mystique of the Palestra, and the heartland intensity of Allen Fieldhouse and Hinkle, the possibilities are rich. The NBA has always been about evolution, but every now and then, looking back is the best way to move forward.