The College Basketball Experience

One of the last things I visited while in KC, and I’m glad I did! An awesome experience if you’re a sports fan or a basketball fan. You can visit the college basketball hall of fame, and learn a lot about the history. I liked a display that let you see the connections of all coaches in history, like a family tree.
Then there’s the «experience,» where you actually pick up a basketball and do the challenges of each section. Wear something athletic if you can, you’re definitely going to sweat doing the activities. I could see myself spending at least two hours here, especially if the place is packed. A very fun place to visit for families and kids!

My husband and I spent our Anniversary day here, lol. Not how I thought we’d be working up a sweat on that day but ok, I went with it. We had SO much fun! It’s not expensive at all, and there’s so much to look at and do. You can spend a couple of hours here and not even realize it. I especially liked trying to make baskets. Mind you I’m 5’4 and have a french manicure, but I still made 3 shots! Yay me!
We’ll definitely be back. We’re going to take the kids next time. Great fun.

Had a blast here! My favorite part was the big ball and giant hoop! Even though I wasn’t allowed inside because I wasn’t a kid…
But I had to anyway! Lol
*KupofKokoa

Definitely a great place for all ages. Went with my little brother and spent about 4 hours in this place. They offer discounts for military and students. They’re so many things to do from shooting free throws, watching a film about basketball history, and play one on one basketball on center court. Highly recommend you bring or dress in gym clothes as it is indeed an experience!

Had a fantastic time and it was even better than I expected!
My 6 and 8 year old sons had an awesome time and in fact, my wife and I did too!
The activities kept everyone involved and busy for hours.
It was great to see big pictures of all the old legends on the walls and explain them to my kids.
The shop was good value with some great deals.
A definite must if your visiting Kansas City!

Great place for basketball lovers — old and young alike! Bring your gym clothes! My boys want to drive five hours to KC just to go hang at this place and play. NCAA Basketball Hall of Fame is in the same facility.

I have only been coming here this year because of 2^nd Fridays Zumba that is provided here. I love how they have speedy check in even with the security and wavier. The elevator noise/​music/​info is way too loud and my only major complaint. The CBE tries to establish a cool night life Zumba experience for us and it is pulled off every time. Always clean and well kept up. If I was more of a sports fan I would not mind come here more often.

Good venue for all ages. Lots of interactive things to do– 3 – 3 or 5 – 5 basketball, timed free throws and three point shooting, and arcade style basketball is always a good time. You can also compare yourself to players’ wingspan, shoe size and height. There are kiosks to test your basketball trivia and pieces on the winningest basketball programs. The HOF itself is in its own little area and I’m kind of surprised of who’s not in it yet. It’s attached to the Sprint Center so it’s a good thing to do before or after an event
Fairly cheap to go to, be sure to check in on 4 square before you go and get a $ 2 coupon!

As a non sports fan, I thought this place was great! The majority of the space is dedicated to interactive stations – part skill tests and part science. The fact that you can play unlimited at the different stations was great – the fun of an arcade, but on a larger scale and free of pesky coins or swipe cards!
There were free throw stations, slam dunk areas (with different rim heights) a couple of children’s hoops for little kids, arcade-​style shooting, a buzzer-​beater station, a 3-​on-​3 court, and a full-​size court with loud music and bright lights. The bar area downstairs with the teleprompter sportscast also looked very cool, but appeared to be either closed for a private event or only accessible if you purchased a meal there.
There were plenty of basketballs (contrary to an earlier review) around, so that wasn’t an issue. The place was pretty packed when we were there, though, so it was impossible to actually know how you scored on most things because 3 kids (or heck, other adults) would rush in there with you, which made the recorded score meaningless.
The thing that was weird about this place is that parents obviously use it as a place where they can send their boys to run around, and high-​school-​age teenage guys seem to think it is the gym. People bring gym bags and basketball shorts and stay for hours to practice. These guys are serious – and sweaty. They use the full-​size gym to envision themselves as NBA stars – and they play just as long. Throughout the courts, testosterone abounds, but there are not many ladies.
Additionally, if you are looking for a true hall of fame or museum experience, you’re not going to find it here. There are a few displays and a video you can watch (standing up???), but overall this place is not designed to be educational. This wasn’t an issue for me, but I could see that being the case for a huge b-​ball fan!

I had a corporate team building event here and everyone had a great time. I was pleasantly surprised on how well the venue appealed to everyone. We had a diverse crowd with folks ranging from mid 20’s to mid 60’s and everyone found something that they enjoyed.
The venue is arranged around a series of basketball skill contests. Free throw, 3-​point, dunk, vertical jump and various other arrangements to challenge different skill levels.
Another floor houses the actual hall of fame which is also well done.
We all had worked up a thirst and were ready for happy hour across the street at the P & L.

Bring your tennis shoes!
This place is part museum part Carnival! Think of every pop a shot or carnival basketball game you have played, put it on steroids and you have the CBE.
Confidently located right next to the Sprint Center in Downtown KC. This place is great for anyone of any age.
You get to feel what its like going down through a basketball tunnel with the fans cheering at you (Automated) and then head into this wide open space of courts.
They have 3 pt contests, buzzer beater contests, free throw contests, pretty much if you can do it with a basketball you can do it here!
I have seen pickup games break out here but normally I stick to the stations.
If you are an adult go during the week for less kiddos but any time is a great time!

I was really hoping this would be an awesome experience but was sorely disappointed. We were in town for the Big XII and had to check it out since our friends had been and said it was amazing.
I don’t have issues with the price ($ 10 — including a stamp that’s good all day) or the station set-​up (two floors of fun!), but on the day we were there there was a ball shortage (har har… balls). Even though there weren’t that many people there, somehow most of the balls had gone missing. We waited about 10 minutes for people to be done at one station so we could have our turn. When we were done attempting to dunk on the 6′ hoop, we put the ball back (like normal people would probably do). When we went to another station downstairs, there were only a few people there… but again, no balls. It seemed really lousy that we paid money and were only able to do like, 3 activities.
The other parts of the CBE were pretty awesome. I’ll admit I’m not a huge sports fan, but even a girl like me can appreciate all the cool stuff they put in. The elevator ride, the crowd-​filled hallway, Even the other things upstairs like testing your arm span or jump height were really fun to do. Downstairs there’s a news desk set up so you can be your own anchor — I discovered that I wasn’t very good. The video game stations set up were also fun times, although I’m not very good at those, either.
One of the coolest parts is the history section that’s more like an interactive museum than just info plastered on the walls. I know some huge bball fans who would pay $ 10 for that area alone.
Overall, it was a fun way to spend a lazy afternoon, but unless there’s more balls there next time, I wouldn’t go back.

What a great venue at the Sprint Center. I took part in a foul shooting contest, a timed three point shooting contest, and a dunking exhibition on a lowered rim that made my legs burn. This place is for kids of all ages and sizes. There are lots of interesting pictures and stories to observe, then you can strap on some sneaks and show what you learned on the court.
What a great tribute to the game. I recommend any fan to see this place, it’s well worth the price of admission.
The only thing that could possibly make this area better would be larger/​more restaurants. While there was an array of choices, they were all crowded because an event was taking place at the Sprint Center. Allow plenty of time to eat if there is an event!

The college basketball experience may be the single best attraction downtown. No joke.
Upon entering the place, you walk down a tunnel and feel the excitement of being in a college basketball fieldhouse – screaming fans, noise everywhere. Then you reach a huge, comfortable floor with a series «help yourself» basketball skills challenges. In the center is a full court where you freestyle on any of the hoops. No fear… these challenges are set up for every height and skill level. The CBE is basically a pop-​a-​shot addict’s wet dream as you are allowed to experience the reason so many people are so crazy about basketball. It is friggin’ fun.
On the lower level of the complex lies the actual hall of hame where you can learn about the game’s greatest players and coaches. Very nicely done…
CBE is a perfect spot to kill an afternoon and especially fun for kids, teens, anyone really. The point of the place is to spread the gospel about basketball and it succeeds wildly. Oh yeah… wear something comfortable because you’ll end up getting a workout.