The basketball court at the Supreme Court, playfully called "The Highest Court in the Land," was not part of the original building design. Its creation is less a product of formal planning and more of a practical adaptation.

Origins

• The Supreme Court Building, completed in 1935, included a gymnasium on the top floor for the Justices and staff to use for exercise. This space later evolved into a basketball court.

• The conversion of the gymnasium into a functional basketball court is thought to have occurred in the 1940s or 1950s, although there’s no single documented individual responsible for the decision. It likely arose informally, with court employees or clerks repurposing the space to shoot hoops during downtime.

Features

• The court is relatively small and not suitable for regulation games, but it's well-loved by court staff, clerks, and even some Justices.

• Despite its popularity, basketball games are prohibited during active sessions of the Court to avoid disturbing the proceedings below.

Legacy

The basketball court has become a quirky and iconic part of the Supreme Court's lore. While its exact origin is shrouded in informality, it reflects the human side of an institution often associated with seriousness and gravity.