FILE - Referee Ben Taylor observes during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game between the Detroit Pistons and the Phoenix Suns, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP ...

OKLAHOMA CITY -- For NBA players, the prize is the gold trophy. For NBA referees, the prize is the white jacket. And for Tyler Ford and Ben Taylor, the jacket has arrived.

Referee Ben Taylor observes during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game between the Detroit Pistons and the Phoenix Suns, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich.

Ford and Taylor were the two first-time selections on a roster of 12 referees that were announced Tuesday as those picked to work the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers.

Ford and Taylor were the two first-time selections on a roster of 12 referees that were announced Tuesday as those picked to work the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers.

FILE - Referee Ben Taylor observes during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game between the Detroit Pistons and the Phoenix Suns, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP ...

Ford and Taylor were the two first-time selections on a roster of 12 referees that were announced Tuesday as those picked to work the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers.

For NBA referees, the prize is the white jacket. And for Tyler Ford and Ben Taylor, the jacket has arrived. Soon, so will the moment they've worked a long time for — they're going to be blowing ...

Ford and Taylor were the two first-time selections on a roster of 12 referees that were announced Tuesday as those picked to work the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers.

Ford and Taylor were the two first-time selections on a roster of 12 referees that were announced Tuesday as those picked to work the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers.

And for Tyler Ford and Ben Taylor, the jacket has arrived. Soon, so will the moment they've worked a long time for — they're going to be blowing the whistle at the NBA Finals. Ford and Taylor were the ...