Ohio State University has introduced a groundbreaking court design at the Schottenstein Center for the 2025–26 season, marking a significant shift in collegiate basketball presentation. The Buckeyes will compete on a scarlet-and-gray floor at Value City Arena for the first time in program history.
This visually bold redesign blends tradition with innovation, featuring an interchangeable center-court logo. The new feature allows Ohio State to switch between the classic Script Buckeyes and the iconic Block O for different matchups. The court was officially unveiled Friday, symbolizing a fresh era for the Buckeyes’ home atmosphere.
Ohio State Introduces First-Ever Interchangeable Midcourt Logo at Schottenstein Center
Ohio State basketball embraces a bold new identity by introducing a redesigned court at the Schottenstein Center for the 2025–26 season. Featuring a gray base with scarlet accents in the painted areas, sidelines, and baselines, the court brings a modern look that blends tradition with innovation.
White Big Ten logos appear beneath each free-throw line, while “Ohio State” is displayed in white lettering along both baselines.
𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙚𝙧𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨.
𝙎𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙩 & 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙮 with an interchangeable mid court logo 👀
Introducing a first of its kind court for 𝙏𝙃𝙀 Ohio State University pic.twitter.com/8ym9Slx19A
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) June 13, 2025
At the heart of the update is a groundbreaking addition: an interchangeable midcourt logo. For the first time, the Buckeyes will rotate between a Block “O,” mirroring the football team’s midfield emblem, and a script “Buckeyes” for designated games.
This change replaces the longtime center design, which featured a traditional Ohio State logo over an Ohio silhouette for the past 13 seasons.
The redesign began in February when Ohio State’s lead graphic designer, Aaron Gemma, started sketching concepts referencing past courts while exploring fresh ideas. Initially conservative, the vision evolved after athletic director Ross Bjork encouraged a more dynamic approach.
“We could’ve done the same thing, but I think in this case it was, you know what? We need to inject some new energy and just a new talking point,” Bjork said. “The court, I think, can do that.”
Gemma reworked the concept, studying collegiate and NBA courts, including those used by the Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, and Dallas Mavericks. The result was a unique gray court with red keys and flexibility to switch logos depending on the uniforms worn.
“Maybe one day you come to the game and they’re playing on the script court and the graphics on the video board are different and it’s a slightly different environment just to break up the monotony of the experience,” Gemma said.
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The court, designed to appeal to both longtime fans and young recruits, is expected to energize the game-day atmosphere. The previous court, installed in 2018, served for seven seasons.
“The court, maybe it’s time to just do something different and get people to talk about our program in a different way,” Bjork said. “I think both men and women, the players are going to love it. I think the fans are really going to love it.”
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