LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- The University of Kentucky is the first college to use the ASB GlassFloor as the innovative technology is days away from being featured during Big Blue Madness. The all glass basketball court is used to elevate player performance and provide fans with a more immersive experience via an entire surface of LED screens. “It’s something fans have never seen before because the wooden floor hasn’t been innovated in over a hundred years,” said Bennedikt von Dohnanyi, a Strategic Advisor with GlassFloor. “It changes the way you experience an event.” The 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, 2024 Basketball Champions League Final and the 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup are some of the high profile events where the technology has been used before. Transforming the Game The floor is equipped with LED technology beneath dozens of glass plates which turn the court into a display that can adapt instantly to the needs of any game. Branding opportunities, in-game activations and real-time data displays are possible while maintaining safety for athletes. “(Kentucky) reached out and they had a vision,” said von Dohnanyi. “Athletes love it. They see the innovation of it.” For fans, the upper tiered seats may be the better ones as the nosebleeds can see the entire screen from their vantage point. “Everyone is going to want to use this court in their own way.” said von Dohnanyi, who thinks every basketball court will look like the one inside Rupp Arena this week. Coaches Approve Teams can look forward to enjoying multiple advantages on the innovative court. von Dohnanyi says that unlike a hardwood court, his company’s product has no dead spots for dribbling and there’s a consistent bounce everywhere on the court. A coach can also use an iPad to draw up practice plays and player metrics can be tracked with the same technology. “This is something that’s never been seen in college basketball before,” said Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Pope. “Since we saw the ASB GlassFloor at the U19 World Cup last year we’ve been intrigued by the possibilities playing on this court,” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kenny Brooks. “We’re excited to add this exciting technology to what promises to be an entertaining night in Rupp Arena.” What to Expect UK and ASB GlassFloor have worked together to create content for the event that will be featured on the floor. Animations, brand messaging and videos are a few of the things that fans can expect at Big Blue Madness on October 11. The last few players to survey the court were top European talents like Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic. Come Friday evening, Kentucky’s corps of hardwood talent will be the next. Categories: Featured, More Sports, Solid Blue, Sports Tags: asb, Basketball, glassfloor, uk