Basketball is, without a doubt, one of the most popular games around the world. It is a game that is played and watched with equal gusto. The sport is widely played in countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It is one of the most widely watched sports in the Olympic games, and its prominence in the Olympics has helped it become the second most widely watched team sport in the world, second only to football.
Not only is basketball one of the most accessible sports in the world today, meaning even a single person can practice their basket shooting skills, but it can be played in a variety of locations, such as in designated basketball courts, schools, colleges, city parks, and even in one’s own backyard. As a matter of fact, it is even possible to play basketball on one’s mobile phone, tablet or computer!
One of the more recently developed versions of the game is fantasy basketball, which comes under the fantasy sports genre and allows anyone to own and manage their virtual basketball team. They can create their team, made up of real-world basketball players, and they can earn points based on how these players perform on the day of an actual basketball match.
To serve its purpose, a basketball court’s dimensions must be ninety-four feet by fifty feet. But that doesn’t mean a basketball court cannot look special or be in a special spot! Basketball is a sport that can be played in all kinds of weather, both indoors and outdoors. This blog looks at some of the most unique and visually appealing basketball courts worldwide.
1. Pigalle, Paris, France
In the 9th Arrondissement of the scenic French capital is a basketball court painted in bold, vibrant pastel colors. This basketball court is located within a row of buildings in the Pigalle neighborhood, making it an attraction in its own right. The design of this court was a collaboration between Nike and Ill-Studio and was completed in the year 2009.
2. City Wall Rooftop Court, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Located in the picturesque city of Dubrovnik in Croatia, the City Wall Rooftop Court is situated amid the old, traditional terracotta roofs in the city’s old town area. This basketball seamlessly blends the ever-popular sport with exemplary Croatian architecture, and this basketball court overlooks the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, making it a truly beautiful spot to play basketball.
3. Lower East Side, New York City, USA
There’s no denying that basketball is an integral part of contemporary American culture. In 2016, Nike commissioned the renowned street artist KAWS to paint murals on several basketball courts across the Lower East Side neighborhood of New York City, adding a much-appreciated splash of color to what might have otherwise been ordinary urban basketball courts.
4. Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia
This is probably one of the least expected places to build a basketball court, but the Tonle Sap Lake Floating Basketball Court is just as its name suggests. It is enclosed and tied to the shore to remain in position. This floating basketball court is the most unique in the world.
5. Venice Beach, Los Angeles, USA
Venice Beach is one of the most widely visited neighborhoods of Los Angeles, and there are several outdoor basketball courts located in this area. This inspired philanthropist and entrepreneur Nick Ansom to embark on a mission called ‘Veniceball,’ where a basketball court was given a fresh monochromatic design. As a result, this basketball court, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, has become a favored venue for one of the world’s most prestigious summer leagues.
6. Colina Del Sol Park, San Diego, USA
As part of an endeavor called Project Backboard, which seeks to renovate disused and uncared-for basketball courts, the surface of a basketball court in San Diego’s Colina Del Sol Park was designed with ornate blue and white patterns to inspire the people of San Diego as well as visitors to appreciate the city’s sights from a more creative perspective.
7. Grand Palais, Paris, France
The Grand Palais is a majestic building in Paris that is steeped in history. Typically used for museum displays and exhibitions, it is one of the popular tourist attractions in the city. However, what makes this location unique is the construction of a basketball court inside its premises, sponsored by Nike. The renowned basketball player Lebron James held a summer tour in Paris, and this event was held in the Grand Palais!
8. David Crombie Park, Toronto, Canada
While it may not be as ornate as some other basketball courts listed in this blog, the basketball court in David Crombie Park in Toronto features a colorfully painted wall. The painting on the wall depicts four hands that combine to form the shape of a heart. Each of the hands in this design has a different pattern, and the patterns signify how people from diverse cultures and communities worldwide are united by their shared love for basketball.
9. St. Nicholas Park, New York City, USA
Located in upper Manhattan, the basketball court in St. Nicholas Park is a geometrically designed space designed by Faith Ringgold, an American painter. While the design and pattern of the court’s surface may look simple as it is made with only four colors, its layout gives it the look of an optical illusion.
These are just some of the unique basketball courts in the world, and the sheer levels of artistic ingenuity that went into their design and construction make basketball all the more special!
