The Best Basketball Gifts and Products

Many of us have love basketball or have people in our lives that love basketball, and when it comes time to buy a product or give a gift, you want to make sure your getting the best!  This is not just a token list of basketball products, the majority of the items on this list I either own or have used and highly recommend!  Of course, I am an avid reader, so I also recommend checking out our list of the best basketball books for some potential gift ideas as well! I have tried to split these into categories that make sense.  Feel free to reach out if you have questions.  Otherwise, I wish you luck on your quest to find the best basketball gifts for all the hoopers out there!

Basketballs

The Wilson Evolution

This is probably my favorite basketball, and is probably one of the most common favorites out there.  It is simply a great indoor basketball.  When you buy, remember 29.5 is the men’s size, 28.5 is women’s, and 27.5 is youth The official NBA Game Ball This one is expensive, but it is the official ball the NBA uses during games and practices.  Most people are surprised by the feel of the real leather vs. the synthetic balls like the Wilson Evolution and others The official FIBA game ball A little expensive similar to the NBA game ball.  This is the official ball used in FIBA and used in the Olympics and basketball World Championships and other similar tournaments.  It overall has a similar feel to the NBA ball, but has different paneling pattern. The Wilson “Connected” Smart Basketball This ball is on my list.  I will first say, this ball is not perfect.  It doesn’t get everything right.  But I do love the fact it is smart enough to measure performance and help you chart your course to see if you are getting better or not.  This is perfect for the basketball player who also loves tech! SKLZ Heavy Training Basketball This ball probably could be in both the basketball list and the training list.  There are a lot of things you should not do with this ball (shooting for instance), but this ball is great for building up hand / arm / shoulder strength and can serve as a valuable conditioning tool.

Basketball Accessories

Nike Elite Basketball Socks These socks are the undisputed king of basketball socks. They give great padding and protection. They are thick and more comfortable than most socks. They are form fitting and they use Nike’s “Dry” technology. Pretty much every basketball player has these in their sock drawer. Nike Hoops Elite Max Air Backpack This is a great backpack for anyone that plays basketball. Whether you are in school and you need to carry a regular backpack and a basketball pack. Or if you just need a pack for going to the gym, a park, or tournaments. Very few good backpacks are designed specifically for basketball and this is one of the best. Basketball Compression Knee Pads I will admit, I’m getting old. These unfortunately weren’t really available when I was in college and high school, but I wish they were. If you play a lot of basketball this will save your knees from floor burns, bruises, and the dreaded “knee to knee” contract. Under Armour Undeniable Duffle Bag If you want a little bit bigger bag for your basketball and your workout gear or shorts/jerseys, this is a good pick-up. Small Pump Not having a pump when you have a ball that needs air can destroy a game, practice, or training session. I always keep one in my basketball bag, and I prefer this one because it is small enough to not take up much space. SKLZ Mini Hoop The SKLZ mini hoop is one of my favorite things to have around the house. For years, it was impossible to find a mini hoop that ACTUALLY seemed anything like a real hoop. This thing mounts over a door easy or you can mount it directly on a surface. A mini hoop like this might be the best gift you can give someone that loves basketball and you can’t think of what to give them! Apple AirPod Headphones AirPod Headphones are my go-to headphones. I don’t like to have more than one pair and I feel they are the best all around pair for phone calls, working out, and everything else! Powerbeats Headphones I don’t actually have these headphones, but a lot of people I know swear by them. They are amongst the top reviewed headphones on Amazon with over 10,000 reviews and a 4.5 rating as of the time of writing this post.

Basketball Training

Speed Jump Rope Don’t mess around with jump ropes that don’t actually work. Get a nice speed rope like this and you will thank me. Jumping rope is actually a key part of the World of Hoops basketball warm-up. Trigger Point Foam Roller & Ball Foam rolling, similar to jumping rope mentioned above, is another part of The World of Hoops Warm-up. I have used many different foam rollers and Trigger Point simply makes the best equipment for rolling. Foam rolling is great for warming up and for recovery. Yoga Mat Yoga mats aren’t always just for yoga. I use a yoga mat for workouts and stretching all the time. Having a yoga mat at a convenient place at home is super helpful. Bench A flat bench is one of the most frequently used pieces of workout equipment you will ever use! Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells Adjustable dumbbells are not cheap and these are no exception. The Bowflex adjustable dumbbells are well known as perhaps the best ones you can buy. In the long run, these are cheaper than buying a huge set of dumbbells and they take up much less space Bumper Plates & Olympic Barbell Bumper plates allow you to safely drop weights without breaking the weights or the floor. A set like this paired with an Olympic size barbell (45 pounds) are a great start to a home gym set-up. Basketball Rebounder When you have to train alone sometimes, it is great to have a rebounder to help. The ball bounces off the rebounder back to you (granted, you have to make the shot!). You can also use the rebounder to simulate a pass to you so you can practice shooting off the catch   photo credit: Alan Levine