The new LED glass court being used for the Big 12’s basketball tournaments debuted to mixed reviews Wednesday, with some players impressed by the novelty of the technology and others reporting slick and slippery surfaces during their games.
“I was sliding a little bit,” BYU forward Brinley Cannon said in a press conference after the No. 9-seeded Cougars’ 76-66 victory over No. 16 Houston. “It’s really cool looking, but it definitely is a little bit of a different feel you have to get used to.”
The Big 12 struck a deal with Germany-based ASB GlassFloor to use the LED court for the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, marking the product’s first use in official competition in the U.S.
“Just getting used to it,” BYU guard Sydney Benally said. “Slips here and there.”
Four games on the court were played Wednesday during the opening round of the tournament, which runs through Sunday. The men’s tournament begins March 10.
But the court’s digital makeup—allowing it to change logos and colors in an instant—is preventing a luxury staple at basketball games: No courtside drink service is allowed, a preventative move to avoid the technology malfunctioning.
“I think it’s a cool idea,” Kansas guard Elle Evans said after the No. 11 Jayhawks beat No. 14 UCF 56-35. “I will say it was a little slick in some areas. But we kind of got used to it.”
Arizona State guard Marley Washenitz said it was “super cool to be the first year” of the court in action, but admitted it wasn’t exactly like a typical hardwood floor. “When we were dribbling, we were talking about how it was a little different,” Washenitz said after the No. 10 Sun Devils defeated No. 15 Arizona 54-51. ”It took a little getting used to with some of the lines and stuff like that.”
The Bright Side
BYU coach Lee Cummard appreciated the bells and whistles of the LED court, which has previously been used during exhibition events at NBA All-Star weekend in 2024, EuroLeague games, and FIBA-sanctioned competitions.
“In pregame introductions, the whole court being lit up in BYU blue, and their names being the whole court, I thought that was as cool as a thing I’ve seen,” Cummard said, also noting a funny moment during the game. “There was one of the media timeouts where the graphic on the court started to move, and it kind of freaked me out a little bit.”
UCF center Khyala Ngodu said the court “feels like an upgrade” because of its special technology. “I don’t really think it feels that different from the regular court,” Ngodu said.
Kansas State guard Jordan Speiser said it was “exciting” to be the first team to win on the court, after the No. 12 Wildcats beat No. 13 Cincinnati 91-66.
“I think it’s a little bit different feel, but not much,” Kansas guard Taryn Sides said.
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