Shortly after taking office, President Barack Obama had the tennis court on the South Lawn of the White House adapted so it could serve as a full-court basketball set-up. The court was originally used for tennis, but under his administration it received lines and removable hoops so that basketball games could be played.
What exactly was done
- The White House already had an outdoor tennis court located on the South Lawn.
- Under the Obama administration the court was adjusted: basketball court lines were added and hoops made available to allow full-court basketball games.
- The adaptation reportedly enabled a game celebrating Obama’s 50th birthday that featured NBA and WNBA players and friends.
- Although a fully separate, brand-new basketball facility was not built, the existing tennis court infrastructure was converted to dual use.
So, did Obama add a basketball court to the White House?
Yes — if by “add a basketball court” you mean that he authorized the court’s conversion for basketball use. No — if you mean that he commissioned a wholly new, standalone basketball court structure. The accurate description is that he converted the existing tennis court so it could be used for basketball.
Timeline at a glance
- Pre-2009: Tennis court exists and is used for tennis and other activities.
- Circa 2009: Conversion for dual use begins; basketball markings and hoops are incorporated.
- During the Obama years: Full-court basketball games take place.
- Post-Obama: The space remains, though later renovations to the grounds may have altered markings or usage.
Current status and legacy
As of today, the adapted court on the White House grounds remains a symbol of recreation at the presidential residence. The change signalled President Obama’s interest in basketball and informal recreation, and it’s become a footnote in the history of White House amenities. While the court may not always be visibly configured for basketball (markings may change with usage), the fact remains that the capacity for full-court basketball was introduced during his administration.
Why this matters
- It provides a physical example of how a presidency can leave an imprint beyond policy — even in the grounds of the White House.
- It reflects President Obama’s personal interest in basketball and how that translated into a recreational feature of the presidential residence.
- For fans and historians of presidential life, it offers insight into how the White House grounds have been adapted for leisure and athletics over time.
In summary
Yes — President Obama had the White House tennis court adapted so it could be used as a basketball court. He did not build an entirely new, dedicated basketball facility, but he did “add” basketball capability on the White House grounds.
Feel free to leave a comment if you’d like to know more about other recreational spaces at the White House.