Abstract: An illuminated backboard enables basketball games to be played in the dark. The illuminated backboard comprises a frame and a translucent front panel, both of which have the general outline of a conventional basketball backboard. A lamp inside the frame and proximate the basketball hoop illuminates the front panel. Planar ribs of translucent material extend between the front panel and the back wall of the frame. The front panel glows with less intensity in the areas in front of the ribs. The ribs can be located to radiate from the region of the hoop, so when the lamp illuminates the front panel the ribs appear as darker rays emanating from the hoop. The illuminated backboard may be an independent and separate backboard having its own mounting to a pole or roof, or it may be made to fasten to a conventional backboard. In the latter case, the hoop is joined to the conventional backboard to eliminate all stresses on the illuminated backboard.