Basketball has entered a new dimension with the revolutionary LED court that FIBA has inaugurated during the U19 Women’s World Cup with LumiFlex technology produced by ASB GlassFloor and both players, technical staff and personalities have been unanimous: this technology is here to stay and takes the gold medal for innovation.
“I have sent photos and videos home and they have hallucinated. It is something indescribable, incredible”, explained the American Grace Vanslooten. The French Lacan, who signed a historic performance with 36 points, joked hallucinated: “It has given me luck anyway, I am going to ask my club for it. “It’s very cool,” reinforced Abraham’s partner, while Dutat’s partner was happy “for living this great experience.”
The Canadian Boscoe confessed to being “hallucinated”: “It’s like playing on a giant television screen.” The Spanish Iyana Martín Carrión, who did not stop listening to songs of “MVP” assured that “playing on this court is something incredible” and her partner Awa Fam said that “we did not stop taking photos in the presentation they gave us, it is amazing. So much”. “When we saw it for the first time we couldn’t stop smiling, it was like when you open a gift wrapper”, seconded the Japanese Haru Owaki.
“Hold and dribble like a normal court”
If the players agreed on the “spectacular” aspect of the court, they also agreed on “safety” and on the conditions of the surface. “I was expecting something different, really, but the feeling is the same,” said the Czech Dominika Paurova. “The grip of the shoes and the boat is the same,” emphasized Maimouna Haidara, from Mali. “It gave me some qualms about falling and hurting myself, but it happened to me and it’s like a normal floor. And when playing, it’s like another field, but more beautiful”, said the French Lacan. “The experience is great,” summed up the American Booker. “I haven’t noticed any difference,” added Swords, from Canada, and her partner Fournier endorsed it: “To be honest, the feeling is the same as on a common court.”
“A recognition of women’s basketball”
The players, as the American Swords perfectly summed up, were grateful to FIBA for such an important commitment to this debut in a women’s event: “We are happy and proud that FIBA has launched this revolutionary court in a women’s and training event.” “Without a doubt, this values our sport and gives us a lot of visibility, so we are very grateful,” pointed out Martín Carrión after an 18-point display. “It puts the spotlight on us and fills us with pride”, said the Canadian Fournier. “It is a unique occasion for this generation and women’s basketball”, highlighted Hidalgo, from the USA. “We are very grateful for this commitment and recognition”, added the Spanish Buenavida. Haidara, from Mali, went further: “I am delighted with everything that FIBA does for our basketball.”
The technical bodies, delighted
On the benches, the opinion coincided with that of the players. “They are honored and grateful for FIBA’s staging of women’s basketball. The track is great and speaks volumes about the recognition of our basketball that doesn’t stop growing. It is something that we have not yet seen in the WNBA or in the NBA. Basketball is entering a new era,” summed up USA coach Taylor. “The world is changing and you can’t always stay in the same place,” said the Czech coach, Viktor Prusa. Frenchman Julien Egloff was just as categorical: “This makes the World Cup a new experience.” For his part, the Spanish coach, Bernat Canut, who confessed to being “in love with the mythical Boston Garden parquet, welcomed this surface: “LED flooring brings innovation, it is a new era and it is the direction in which the world is going”. Mali’s coach, Diakite, embraces “the revolution of the new pitch, it’s fabulous.” “It is very special that FIBA has thought of women’s basketball for this coming-out, it is very special. The concept is unique, the players are comfortable and basketball does not stop evolving”, pointed out the Canadian coach Carly Clarke.
“This floor makes the fan experience better”
The players also highlighted the tremendous potential of the pitch and how it will enhance the fan experience. “The fans are hallucinating,” stressed the American Hidalgo while Booker agreed: “It’s amazing for the fans.” “Surely it involves the spectators more, they get more involved in the game”, analyzed the Canadian Swords. “It’s so special that you don’t expect something like this,” stressed the American Booker.
“He has come to stay”
During the final phase, FIBA held an open house to publicize the potential of the ASB GlassFloor court and the attendees were amazed. Among them was Víctor Lapeña, Canada’s absolute women’s coach, and the player María Espín, who participated in the exhibition shooting session.
“The first thing I did was check the grip and I was very surprised, it didn’t slip, which is the fear that the players have… it’s like a court of a lifetime. We must be thankful that FIBA has chosen a women’s and training tournament to launch this incredible field, since it helps to expose and grow our sport. Without a doubt, it is a very important step”, commented Espín, after the shooting session.
“It’s amazing,” emphasized Lapeña. “It’s like a giant screen, it’s amazing, wonderful. It will be necessary to give him some time to perfect things but it is the future and it has come to stay. It is a revolution that will be evolving, improving each time. And for the fans, who pay a ticket, the experience will be fantastic. They are going to have an incredible experience. Surely soon we will see how you can interact with a game on the court or appear with your face. It’s amazing.”
“A historic day”
For its part, FIBA valued the commitment to innovation, the improvement of the fan experience and the commitment to women’s basketball. “It is a historic day for FIBA and also a memorable one for the players here in Madrid, who have the opportunity to compete on this incredible and innovative surface. There has been a lot of anticipation leading up to this moment and finally being able to open this LED floor track is really exciting. It is also fitting that the first games to be played on it are the four quarterfinals of the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup.”
He added: “With this successful world premiere of the LED glass floor, we have another example of how we are delivering on one of our strategic priorities of ‘Extending the FIBA Family’ by supporting and fostering innovation in basketball. This is at the heart of what we do and at the center of our continued desire to make our sport even more attractive to players and fans.”
A success within a large organization
The launch of the court has been a success within an excellent organization by the Spanish Basketball Federation, which is synonymous with guarantees. Jorge Garbajosa, president of the FEB and recently of FIBA Europe, expressed his joy at the great reception and implementation of this revolutionary surface. “I want to publicly thank FIBA for choosing our #FIBAU19 in Madrid to launch its spectacular LED court. I think that presenting us with the future in a women’s training championship is a perfect declaration of principles. Also my appreciation to Madrid and the Community of Madrid for having made it possible for us to experience this World Cup in Spain. Their commitment to our sport is allowing many fans to enjoy the excellent level of the National Team players”
More photos from the track
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2023-07-24 08:01:09
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