Big 12 Debuts Innovative Glass Basketball Court

New high-tech floor at league tournament draws mixed reviews from players and coaches

Mar. 11, 2026 at 1:09am

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The Big 12 Conference has debuted a new glass basketball court for its men's and women's basketball tournaments in Kansas City, Missouri. The floor, produced by ASB GlassFloor, features LED panels and a spring-action design meant to mimic the feel of traditional hardwood. While the court has drawn praise for its unique look and features, players and coaches have noted that the surface is more slippery than a typical court, leading to some concerns about player safety and traction.

Why it matters

The Big 12's decision to use the innovative glass court represents an effort to modernize the fan experience and showcase new technology in college basketball. However, the potential safety risks and adjustment period for players raise questions about the long-term viability of this type of playing surface in high-level competition.

The details

The glass court features an aluminum and steel spring-action design that is meant to provide a similar feel to traditional hardwood floors. The surface is coated with ceramic and has small etched dots to improve grip. While the ball bounces normally, players have noted significantly more squeaking from their sneakers and some slipping, especially in certain areas of the court. Cleaning crews in specialized jumpsuits use mops and cleaning solutions to maintain the surface during games, similar to how one might clean windows at home.

  • The Big 12 announced the new glass court last month.
  • The court made its debut at the 2026 Big 12 men's and women's basketball tournaments in Kansas City, Missouri.

The players

Bill Self

Head coach of the Kansas men's basketball team.

Brinley Cannon

Player on the BYU women's basketball team.

Lee Cummard

Head coach of the BYU women's basketball team.

Elle Evans

Player on the Kansas women's basketball team.

Brett Yormark

Commissioner of the Big 12 Conference.

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What they’re saying

“The floor was fine, but it did seem a little different from a traction standpoint than the majority of courts are.”

— Bill Self, Head coach, Kansas men's basketball

“It's really cool. It's really cool-looking, but it definitely is a little bit of a different feel.”

— Brinley Cannon, Player, BYU women's basketball

“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, right?”

— Lee Cummard, Head coach, BYU women's basketball

“Every official last week came up and said, 'Brett, this is going to help me — if we ever play on this court again — it's going to prolong my career,' because it provides shock absorption for their knees.”

— Brett Yormark, Commissioner, Big 12 Conference

What’s next

The Big 12 plans to continue using the glass court for future men's and women's basketball tournaments, and will seek feedback from players, coaches, and officials to make any necessary adjustments.

The takeaway

The Big 12's innovative glass basketball court represents an effort to modernize the fan experience, but the mixed reviews from players and coaches highlight the challenges of implementing new technology in high-level sports. As the league continues to use the court, finding the right balance between visual appeal and player safety will be crucial.