The full story behind the replica basketball court at the Indianapolis airport for NBA All-Star Weekend

The full-size court, complete with regulation NBA goals and all, was installed in mid-January and immediately went viral. The vision came to life and has been a big hit.

When guests arrive at Indianapolis International Airport this week and exit one of two terminals, they will be greeted with something never seen before in Civic Plaza.

A full-size (94 x 50 feet) replica NBA basketball court. Created with the exact dimensions of a regulation-sized court, with details like the free-throw and 3-point line, the vinyl adhesive was installed inside Indy’s airport in mid-January by Indy-based Miles Printing.

It’s all part of Indianapolis hosting NBA All-Star Weekend 2024. (It was postponed three years due to the pandemic.)

And the court hasn’t just been a slam dunk, it’s truly gone viral. The Pacers’ tweet with photos has been viewed nearly 42 million. That’s got to be a record.

“Invigorating is exactly the word I would say,” said Dianna Boyce, the VP of Indy’s NBA All-Star Game. “Over the (first) weekend, we saw it locally start to take off as people who were local were seeing it and experiencing it. And then to wake up the next morning and see it in various different national publications, for me personally it was like, ‘all right, here we go!’”

Here we go, indeed. It’s received all kinds of attention since installation and that will only grow as the city expects about 125,000 guests downtown because of the special weekend. Indy last hosted All-Star weekend in 1985.

Every national publication you can think of shared photos on their social media accounts — and it led to basketball junkies chatting about what they’d like to do on the court.

Like…

• Get shots up before clearing security

• Play a pickup game during a flight delay

• Shoot free throws after arrival

Now, you can’t do that. There are lids tied down on the rims and there aren’t any basketball in sight and there were discussions with the Indianapolis Airport Authority about whether they could let fans shoot, etc.

However, its purpose is to serve notice to fans.

Guests are free to walk on it, take photos and experience it.

“The vision for the airport was we want people who are coming to Indianapolis to know from the minute they hit the ground, All-Stars is here and you are now a part of it,” Boyce said.

The pressure sensitive vinyl, with non-slip floor lamination, required 10 hours to print. Then, it took 20 hours, over three nights (8 p.m. to 5 a.m.), for a crew to install.

“The Indiana Pacers and the whole team at Pacers Sports and Entertainment are leading the charge with the Indianapolis community beside them to make this a memorable experience for all,” said Mario Rodriguez, the executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. “The airport is proud to partner alongside them in this meaningful event for the city and state."

The host committee is even working with airlines to see if pilots will relay a special message upon arrival.

“Just those little touches that we love to do,” Boyce continued. “Something like, ‘Welcome to the home of basketball. In 49 states, it’s just basketball. But this is Indiana.’

“It’s a full takeover of the airport. The vision is that we want to experience it from here, but we also want visitors to know that you have arrived. We treasure the fact that you spent some of your time with us in Indiana and that Indiana touch.”

That’s not all. There’s special All-Star banners and graphics up all over the airport, including several appearances by Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton. Second-year Pacer Bennedict Mathurin and others are featured down the escalators at baggage claim.

The NBA and the local host committee have been in the thick of it for the last month, ready to tackle the beast — something they’ve worked on since 2017 and are now putting it into action.

The replica court was invigorating and has a lot of fans and media excited to finally experience it for themselves for the first time this week. It paid dividends immediately.

“What is so special is that we already have fans coming in from more than 30 countries,” said Joey Graziano, SVP head of global event strategy and development. “And to know that when they get off the plane, some of them will have to be a connecting flight to get to Indianapolis, and the first thing they’re going to see before they pick up their bags is a basketball court. That’s what I’m really excited about.

“Those kind of moments. I didn’t know should I walk around it, should I walk through it. Like, it’s hallowed ground. To be able to have those international fans, I can’t wait for their reactions we’re going to get from the court.”

Here’s what else guests can expect at the airport.

• A large 6-foot-tall ceramic basketball will be placed in Baggage Claim. This basketball is hand-painted by local muralist Koda Witsken and celebrates Indiana’s role in the creation of the Title IX legislation. It’s one of 24 basketballs placed throughout Indianapolis as part of the Hoosier Historia program to highlight Indiana’s connection to, and love for, basketball.

• Arriving fans will be greeted by live entertainment in Civic Plaza curated by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Rodney Stepp, ranging from jazz saxophonist Bryan Thompson to R&B singer Staci McCrackin to Don Burton’s Las Vegas Soul Legends Revue. In addition to live music, DJs will provide additional tunes to pump up fans as they arrive in the Circle City.

• The KIND Gallery on Concourse A will showcase The Art of the Game: Artists at Work, an exhibit of 17 pieces by featured artists from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse public art project, including Tasha Beckwith, Israel Solomon, Kyle Ragsdale, and Pamela Bliss.

• Fans traveling through Concourse B may notice the vibrant mural by local artist Shaunt’e Lewis located near Just Pop In!. Entitled Love of the Game, it depicts a colorful, abstract basketball court along with a woman’s face.

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