You’d think the highest authority in the United States would be a place of absolute, pin-drop silence. And mostly, it is. But if you head up to the fifth floor of the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., you might hear something that sounds completely out of place: the rhythmic thump-thump-thump of a basketball hitting a hardwood floor. It’s not a hallucination. It’s the basketball court in the Supreme Court, a quirk of architecture and history that basically proves even the most serious people in the world need a place to blow off steam.
They call it the "Highest Court in the Land." It’s a literal pun. The actual courtroom where the justices hear oral arguments is on the second floor. The basketball court sits directly above it.
Think about that for a second. While lawyers are arguing the finer points of constitutional law, someone upstairs could technically be working on their jumper. Of course, there are rules about that—you can’t just go full March Madness while the court is in session. But the sheer existence of this gym tells a story about the human side of the American judiciary that most people never get to see.
How the Gym Actually Got There
The Supreme Court building wasn't always there. Before 1935, the justices were basically roommates with Congress, tucked away in the basement of the Capitol. When architect Cass Gilbert designed the current marble temple, he didn't initially pencil in a place for pick-up games.
Originally, the space on the fifth floor was intended to be a storage area for spare journals and records. It was just a big, empty room with high ceilings. Over time, it morphed. In the 1940s, it started being used as a workout space for the young clerks and the Supreme Court Police. It wasn't some grand decree from the Chief Justice; it was more of a natural evolution. Someone brought in a hoop. Then another. Eventually, they laid down a proper floor.
It’s honestly kind of scrappy. This isn't a state-of-the-art NBA facility. It’s a relatively small, rectangular room with hoops at either end. The walls are close. If you’re driving to the basket with too much momentum, you’re probably going to hit a wall or a stray weight bench. But for the people who work sixty-hour weeks parsing through thousands of petitions, it’s a sanctuary.
The Rules of the "Highest Court"
The most famous rule regarding the basketball court in the Supreme Court is the "No Play During Session" policy. It’s pretty straightforward. If the justices are on the bench downstairs, the gym is a ghost town.
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The acoustics in that building are surprisingly sensitive. In the earlier days, the dribbling actually echoed down into the courtroom. Can you imagine a lawyer trying to argue Roe v. Wade or Brown v. Board of Education while hearing a three-man weave happening directly over their head? It would be absurd. So, whenever the red light is on outside the courtroom, the balls stay in the rack.
Who actually plays there? It’s a mix.
- The Law Clerks: These are the elite of the elite, the young overachievers who basically live at the court for a year. For them, the gym is the only way to stay sane.
- The Supreme Court Police: They use it for training and fitness, but they’ve also been known to run some high-stakes games against the clerks.
- The Justices (Rarely): While it’s rare to see a sitting justice in a full-court press these days, history says otherwise. Justice Byron White—"Whizzer" White—was a legit athlete. He played in the NFL before joining the court. He was a regular in the gym and didn't take it easy on anyone.
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor didn't necessarily play ball, but she used the gym space for an aerobics class she started for female clerks and staff. It’s always been more than just a basketball court; it’s a fitness hub for a branch of government that is notoriously sedentary.
Why This Oddity Matters for History
Most people see the Supreme Court as this monolithic, untouchable institution. The marble columns, the black robes, the "Oyez, Oyez, Oyez"—it’s all designed to feel heavy and permanent. The basketball court humanizes it. It’s a reminder that the people making these massive decisions are, well, people.
There’s a legendary story about Justice William Rehnquist. He was a big fan of the gym, though more for the camaraderie than for any NBA-level talent. There’s a certain level of bonding that happens on a court that doesn't happen in a chambers meeting. When you’re sweating and diving for a loose ball, your Ivy League degree doesn't matter as much as your hustle.
Actually, the gym has survived several attempts at being repurposed. Every few decades, someone suggests that the court needs more office space or more room for the library. Each time, the gym enthusiasts rally. It’s become a protected piece of the building’s culture.
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The Physicality of the Space
If you were to walk in there today—assuming you had the security clearance, which you probably don't—you’d notice the ceilings aren't quite high enough for a professional-grade arc on a shot. If you’ve got a high-arcing rainbow shot like Steph Curry, you’re probably going to hit a light fixture.
The floor is hardwood, but it’s not the pristine, polished surface you see at the Staples Center. It’s got character. It’s got scuffs. It smells like old sneakers and floor wax, which is a wild contrast to the smell of old paper and expensive wood polish found everywhere else in the building.
There are also some weight machines and basic gym equipment lining the perimeter. It’s cramped. But that’s part of the charm. It feels like a high school gym from the 1950s that just happened to be built inside a Greek temple.
Misconceptions and Rumors
One thing people get wrong is thinking the justices are up there playing 5-on-5 every Friday. Honestly, most of the current justices are on the older side. You’re more likely to see them taking a brisk walk or maybe using a stationary bike. The "Highest Court" is mostly the playground of the clerks.
Another misconception is that it's open to the public. Not a chance. You can tour the Supreme Court, and you can see the Great Hall and the courtroom, but the fifth floor is strictly off-limits. It is one of the most private basketball courts in the world. Even the media is rarely allowed to film up there. It’s a private world within a public institution.
The Cultural Impact of the Gym
The basketball court in the Supreme Court has become a bit of a meme in legal circles. It’s the ultimate "if you know, you know" trivia bit. Law students dream of clerking not just for the prestige, but for the chance to say they’ve hit a three-pointer above the heads of the Nine.
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It represents a weird, uniquely American blend of high-brow intellectualism and "ball is life" culture. It’s the same energy as a president having a bowling alley in the White House basement. It says that no matter how powerful you are, you still need to move your body.
What You Can Learn from the Highest Court
You might not ever get to play a game on the fifth floor of 1 First Street NE, but the existence of this court offers some pretty solid life lessons.
First, balance is non-negotiable. If the people deciding the legal fate of the country recognize that they need a physical outlet to stay sharp, you probably do too. The clerks work grueling hours, but they still find time to get a game in. It’s a reminder that productivity isn't just about sitting at a desk; it's about maintaining the "machine" that does the work.
Second, tradition is what you make it. The court wasn't built to have a gym. It was built to store books. But the people living and working there decided they needed something else, and they turned a storage room into a legendary piece of D.C. lore.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you’re a fan of legal history or just weird architecture, there are ways to engage with this topic without trespassing.
- Visit the Court (Virtually or In-Person): You can’t go to the gym, but you can visit the building. Pay attention to the scale of the place. When you’re in the courtroom, look up. Somewhere up there, past the ornate ceiling, is a hoop.
- Read the Memoirs: If you want the real dirt on what happens in the gym, look into memoirs by former clerks. They often mention the games as a highlight of their year at the court. Books by people like Jeffrey Toobin or even biographies of Justice Byron White give you a sense of the "Highest Court" culture.
- Check the Schedule: If you’re ever visiting D.C. and want to see the Supreme Court in action, check their calendar. Remember: if the justices are sitting, the gym is quiet. If you see the court is in recess, there’s a good chance a clerk is currently missing a layup four floors up.
- Embrace the Pun: Next time you’re watching a high-stakes legal drama or reading a Supreme Court decision, remember the basketball court. It’s a great icebreaker for anyone interested in law, sports, or just the weird ways we use the buildings around us.
The basketball court in the Supreme Court isn't just a quirky fact. It’s a symbol. It’s a reminder that even in the most rigid, formal environments, there’s room for a little bit of play. It’s the "Highest Court in the Land," and it’s likely not going anywhere as long as there are law clerks with a competitive streak and a need for a distraction from their briefs.
If you want to dive deeper into the architecture of the building, look up Cass Gilbert’s original blueprints. You’ll see just how much the interior has changed to accommodate the human needs of the people inside. It’s a fascinating look at how a temple of law became a home—and a gym—for the people who keep it running.