We may be upon the brink of a true game changer–literally. While Topgolf continues to be a global phenomenon that elevated the driving range into the ultimate night out activity, JumpShot may be doing the same thing for basketball.
A truly eye-catching concept has just been released online of what that may look like, taking a lot of inspiration from its golfing counterpart for a more indoor-friendly experience.
See for yourself:
The idea comes in part from entrepreneuer “Brooklyn Johnny” aka Jonathan Descartes, who posted the concept video on Instagram. Also involved is former Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach Phl Handy, who is listed on their website as a board member.
The brand calls its proposition a “Tech-Enabled Basketball Entertainment Venue.”
“This is really happening! I’m excited to be a part of this next level entertainment concept. We’ve put together a top notch team for this. Think basketball version of TopGolf. We’ll see you soon!” Johnny wrote on his Instagram.
What is Jumpshot? What’s inside?
The video starts outside the massive building, and shows an entrance adorned in “shoot your shot” on the outside, a plush check-in area, and an inside with a restaurant area, a central bar, high tables and individual boxes with their own basketball hoop.
It seems that the concept is built around competitive free throw shooting, much like you’d find at an arcade but on a much bigger scale.
There’s also a lot of NBA branding and photos of stars from across the sport showing in the concept video, but as this would need to be licensed by the National Basketball Association to happen, it remains to be seen if that will actually be included.
Will the NBA be getting behind this idea and co-sponsoring? That is still a question at this stage, but that would be quite exciting.
How people are reacting so far
The reaction in the comments has been mostly positive, with a lot of “This is fire!” reactions, “super hard” from many others, as well as requests for this to come to their city.
Others want to see more before they decide. The most liked comment under the video drops a great idea on how to make the repetition not get old.
“Free throws will get boring. I hope they have the means to be able to alternate between mid-range, free throws and NBA 3 pointers,” writes Instagram user @mr.armondworthy.
Where will JumpShot open first?
According to the brand’s instagram account, the first location will be in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States, according to a post nine weeks ago.
Will we get a JumpShot in Dubai?
If this will work anywhere, it may be the Middle East, as while Topgolf, which opened in the UAE in 2020, remains popular in it’s Dubai location, it can get a bit punishing in the hot summers, when standing outside all night on a night out can sometimes turn a perfect date outfit into a sweaty mess.
In addition, as basketball is growing in popularity in the Middle East with the NBA’s investment in Abu Dhabi, and an already strong community of fans thriving, this could be the best time to make the move.
Let’s hope an eagle-eyed investor shoots his shot over here in the Gulf.
And of course, the NBA will be back soon–and back in Abu Dhabi with the next big games coming this October. In the mean time, we can follow along with all the drama happening in the off season.
Find more on that in the UAE here.
And find Jumpshot’s website here.