Big 12 Seeking More Feedback on Controversial LED Glass Basketball Court

Players and coaches have mixed reactions to the new high-tech court, with some citing safety concerns

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:51pm

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The Big 12 Conference has installed an all-LED glass basketball court for its men's and women's basketball tournaments, drawing mixed reviews from players and coaches. While some players like Arizona's Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries say they don't have issues with the surface, others like Texas Tech's Christian Anderson have slipped and suffered minor injuries. The court's manufacturer, ASB GlassFloor, says the surface is just as safe as traditional hardwood, citing third-party testing, but many players and coaches still feel it requires too much adjustment and creates a mental distraction. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark says he is seeking feedback from stakeholders as the conference evaluates the future use of the innovative court.

Why it matters

The Big 12's decision to use the LED glass court is an attempt to bring more attention and innovation to the conference's basketball tournaments. However, the mixed reactions from players and coaches raise concerns about player safety and the impact on gameplay. As the NCAA Tournament approaches, the Big 12 must weigh the potential benefits of the flashy court against the practical challenges it presents to the athletes.

The details

The LED glass court was designed by ASB GlassFloor, a Swiss company, and leased by the Big 12 for approximately $185,000. The manufacturer claims the surface has equal or better grip than traditional hardwood and is FIBA-certified. However, several players have reported slipping and struggling to adjust to the different playing surface, including Texas Tech's Christian Anderson, who tweaked his groin after a fall. Coaches like Grant McCasland of Texas Tech have also noted the difficulty players have in responding to the court's unique characteristics.

  • The women's Big 12 tournament was played on the LED court last week without significant incident.
  • The men's Big 12 tournament is currently underway, with the court being used for the first time in legitimate basketball competition in the United States.

The players

Brett Yormark

The commissioner of the Big 12 Conference, who is overseeing the implementation of the LED glass court and is seeking feedback from stakeholders.

Christian Anderson

The Texas Tech point guard who suffered a minor groin injury after slipping on the LED court during a game against Iowa State.

Benedikt von Dohnanyi

The CEO of ASB GlassFloor, the company that designed the LED court being used in the Big 12 tournament.

Jaden Bradley

The Big 12 Player of the Year from Arizona, who said he doesn't have any issues with the LED court.

Brayden Burries

A likely future lottery pick from Arizona, who also said he didn't have problems adjusting to the LED court.

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What they’re saying

“I'm feeling good. Obviously, the floor is a bit slippery, so I think I kind of misstepped or did a movement that caused me to slip and kind of ended up in a little unnatural position.”

— Christian Anderson, Texas Tech point guard (CBS Sports)

“Let's just do it on wood.”

— LeJuan Watts, Texas Tech player (CBS Sports)

“I slipped a couple of times, but I don't have anything negative to say about it.”

— AJ Dybantsa, BYU player (CBS Sports)

“It's pretty bad. It's a bad floor. They shouldn't bring it back.”

— Taj Manning, Kansas State forward (CBS Sports)

“Everybody's playing on the same court. We've got to adjust. It's a little different.”

— Jaden Bradley (CBS Sports)

What’s next

The Big 12 will continue to monitor feedback from players, coaches, and other stakeholders as the men's tournament progresses. A decision on whether to use the LED court in future events will likely be made after the conclusion of the tournament.

The takeaway

The Big 12's decision to use an innovative LED glass court for its basketball tournaments has generated a mixed response, with some players and coaches citing safety concerns and the need for significant adjustment. While the manufacturer insists the court is just as safe as traditional hardwood, the mental and physical challenges it presents to athletes have become a point of controversy that the conference must carefully consider moving forward.