If every March you find yourself emotionally investing in your bracket picks, cheering on your chosen college teams, and wishing you were out on the court making shots and plays, trust that your basketball dreams can still come to life — at Life Time!
Across the nation, Life Time athletic country clubs feature basketball courts for open play, as well as options for pickup games, leagues, and clinics for players of all ages (offerings may vary by club location).
Get inspired to find a court near you by learning what a few featured Life Time courts have to offer — one of them might even be near you. (If not, visit the Life Time app to find the club locations with basketball courts near you.)
Life Time Sky in Manhattan, N.Y.
Life Time Sky features a full-size NBA court that’s visible from the main lobby of the club.
“The basketball community here has turned into a family,” says Nigel Williams, assistant Ultimate Hoops coordinator at Life Time Sky in Manhattan, N.Y. “We have multiple group chats to conduct game times that fit into everyone’s schedule throughout the week, including for new members who are interested in playing games more frequently.”
NBA player sightings at Sky are fairly common during the offseason. “When an NBA player is here, they typically reserve one side of the court and as team members, we ensure their experience is as comfortable as possible,” says Williams. Members may also catch a glimpse of Chris Brickley, a professional basketball trainer and former college player, training his NBA and WNBA clients on the court.
“Every late summer, around the time of Fashion Week, we’ll normally see some NBA players coming in two to three times a week to use the court for a few hours. Frequent visitors include LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Jalen Brunson — it’s quite a sight to see these guys in action,” says Williams.
Life Time Green Valley in Henderson, Nev.
Life Time Green Valley has one full-sized basketball court, including a fully functional scoreboard. Used daily by many players, the court is located on the second floor near the Alpha studio and workout floor.
Ultimate Hoops leagues and classes make up most of the court use throughout the week, with leagues running Monday through Thursday evenings. Leagues include those for both the 35-and-older and 50-and-older communities, recreational players, and an open league for all players, including those with collegiate or professional experience. The leagues are run by the club’s league coordinator, Taylor Anderton, who also organizes tournaments.
The basketball community here also participates in regular pickup games, typically in the early evenings and on Saturday mornings.
“I have the privilege of running Ultimate Hoops classes and individual skills training for our junior members,” says Dominique Smallwood, Dynamic Personal Trainer and basketball trainer at Life Time Green Valley. “Having the opportunity to help kids grow in their skills, their mindset, and in an overall love for the game has been by far the most rewarding part of my tenure at Life Time.
“In the last two years,” he adds, “I’ve been blessed to see eight of our Ultimate Hoops kids who came in with little-to-no previous experience not only make their middle school and high school basketball teams, but also become key contributing players to their teams. And many more have begun playing recreational and competitive club basketball, several of whom I’ve had the honor of coaching in local leagues and tournaments.”
Life Time Harbour Island in Tampa, Fla.
Life Time Harbour Island has one outdoor, half-basketball court designed for year-round play in the Florida sun. The club’s location on Harbour Island gives the court a truly unique setting, adding to the overall experience.
“Members love being able to be outside, enjoy the fresh air, and soak up the rays while getting a great workout on the basketball court,” says Gia Marinelli, event and social media coordinator at Life Time Harbour Island.
“When I joined Life Time Harbour Island, I had a strong desire to build a basketball program inspired by the half-court style of play used in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” explains Marinelli. “That vision helped shape how we use the space today, focusing on high-energy, community-driven play that fits perfectly with the outdoor environment.”
The club has very active pickleball and tennis communities, and basketball has naturally become another option for members looking to stay active outdoors. “Pickup games, casual play, and organized competitions keep the court busy and engaging,” Marinelli says. “As Tampa’s community continues to grow, our basketball court has become a social hub where members connect, compete, and enjoy the unique island atmosphere that makes Harbour Island so special.”
As a Life Time member, you also have access to the entire network of athletic country clubs, if one of these featured courts happens to be where your future travels take you, plan a visit then.
Life Time River North at One Chicago in Chicago, Ill.
Life Time River North at One Chicago features one full-sized basketball court with six hoops. It’s located on the eighth floor, adjacent to the workout floor. “It’s a high-energy environment that’s seamlessly integrated into the rest of the club experience,” says Darrien Johnson, lead general at Life Time River North at One Chicago.
The court is designed to be versatile and support both organized play and casual pickup games. “Our basketball community is extremely active and engaged,” says Johnson. “We offer open play every day, with organized and competitive games consistency offered. Our basketball programming attracts top talent from across Chicago, including high school athletes, collegiate players, and professional-level players. This creates a motivating playing environment for our members.
“A key driver of the success of our basketball program is our sports statistician, Shomari Whitehorn, who does an outstanding job organizing games, managing substitutions, and keeping the clock and scoring running smoothly,” says Johnson. “His leadership helps ensure structure, fairness, and a professional-level experience during every game.”
What truly sets the basketball program apart is consistency and culture. “Members know they can show up on any day and find well-organized, competitive games in a welcoming community,” he says. “Our court has become a destination within the club for athletes looking to play with some serious skill and a strong sense of camaraderie.”
Tips for Pickup Basketball
Ready for your own pickup basketball game? Dominique Smallwood, Dynamic Personal Trainer and basketball trainer at Life Time Green Valley, offers these four tips for building your skills.
- Repetition is key. Begin each practice workout with form shooting at the rim and work your way out to the perimeter. This helps build muscle memory and rhythm.
- Stretch, stretch, stretch. Mobility training is a must for all players seeking longevity in play and injury prevention. Smallwood also recommends adding a yoga or Pilates class to your weekly regimen.
- Engage in plyometric training. This modality of training improves speed and explosiveness, giving players an athletic edge on the court. Life Time’s Alpha classes are a perfect addition to basketball players’ weekly training.
- Practice court awareness. You do not need to be the most athletic person on the court to be successful in play. Understanding angles of attack and keeping your head and eyes up for an open teammate is an important quality of play that contributes to the game. Mastering court awareness comes with experience; get out there and play. Smallwood also suggests watching film to learn how college and pro-level players approach spacing.
