You'll be able to buy a piece of the old Rupp Arena court soon

After a false start, Kentucky Basketball’s new court at Rupp Arena is finally ready. Soon, you’ll be able to purchase parts of the old one.

The Herald-Leader’s Ben Roberts spoke to Brian Sipe, the general manager of Central Bank Center, who confirmed the new court will be installed by the time the 2024-25 season starts. You probably remember that a new court was put in on December 2, but after just one game — Kentucky’s loss to UNC Wilmington — it was removed due to complaints of dead spots.

The manufacturer, Robbins Sports Surfaces, promised to create a new one, free of charge. Kentucky finished the season on the old court — the one with the giant Central Bank Center bumper stickers — but the replacement was finished in time for Mark Pope’s team to take it for a spin during a summer practice at Rupp and the Reed Sheppard fantasy camp in late August. So far, it has passed muster.

You’ll see the new court — which looks exactly like the one that debuted on Dec. 2 minus the technical issues — on October 23, Kentucky’s first exhibition vs. Kentucky Wesleyan. Big Blue Madness will take place on an interactive LED glass floor, the first time it will be used in college basketball. The Blue-White Game is moving to the renovated Memorial Coliseum this year with all proceeds going to Club Blue, one of Kentucky’s collectives.

If you’re looking for a cool piece of memorabilia, Sipe told Roberts that Rupp is partnering with a company to sell pieces of the old court, which was in place from 2001 through last season, to fans. An official announcement will come in the next few weeks, but Sipe said the court will be cut up and sold “in all kinds of different facets — from a paperweight to a piece of furniture.”

Don’t everyone rush to buy the parts with the bumper stickers.