USD Sculpture Student Designs NBA All-Star Trophy
Tasha Determan, a University of South Dakota freshman studying sculpture from Alexandria, South Dakota, was selected to design the Taco Bell Skills Challenge trophy for NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana, hosted Feb. 18-19.
“It feels good. It verifies that I’m in the right field and I’m doing what I love,” said Determan, a 2016 Hanson High School graduate.
Tasked with designing a trophy that represented the New Orleans area, Determan took inspiration from the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis incorporating part of the ironwork design on the column. The trophy is topped with a basketball.
After the skills challenge, Determan was invited to center-court to present the award to winner, Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks.
Determan, who plans to pursue an MFA, said she was encouraged by the experience.
“It was cool. When you put yourself out there, a huge amount of people will support you,” said Determan.
