INDIANAPOLIS – What would a celebration of the Hoosier state be without basketball? Thankfully, we’ll never have to find out, because even the Indiana State Fairgrounds now has its very own permanent court.
A group of lucky kids had the opportunity to break it in on Tuesday with the help of some extra special guests: Fever players Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Erica Wheeler and Caitlin Clark.
“It’s fun for us. It gets people excited – not only about the Fever, but about the Pacers too,” Fever guard Caitlin Clark said. “And it’s something that’ll last for quite some time. I went and played at the park all the time growing up. I had a park right up the street that had a full court just like this, so for me, it’s really cool to be a part of these opportunities.”
Together, representatives from the fairgrounds and Pacers Sports and Entertainment unveiled the court. Described as a legacy project, they say it’ll serve as a “hub for basketball enthusiasts” – a place for visitors and future generations of Hoosier players alike to enjoy.
“All eyes are on our franchises, on the men’s side and on the women’s side,” said Danny Lopez, executive vice president of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “To be able to decorate a court and put those brands on a court that people are using year-round here at the fairgrounds is a really special thing.”
The partnership is capitalizing on the idea that Indianapolis is the “epicenter of basketball” right now – formed on the heels of a strong Pacers playoff run, NBA All-Star weekend and the decades of tradition that came before it all, plus while looking at a game-changing Fever team full of stars.
“The more we can get out in the community and get people excited about our team and our organization – all of Pacers Sport and Entertainment, the better. Obviously, we’re a young group, so really the sky’s the limit,” Clark added.
“I just can’t wait to see all the lessons that are learned on this court and all the dreams that are realized through it all,” Governor Eric Holcomb said.
Representatives say what exactly the court will be used for during the rest of the year has yet to be decided, just that it is expected to be a place for “practice, games and community events.”
