Essential Basketball Gear

(Courtesy of 2XU, Gosports, Morpilot, Dr. Dish, Lifetime)

Invented by James Naismith and first played at a YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891, basketball is now the second most popular sport in the world. It improves hand-eye coordination, is good exercise, and, most of all, is fun—especially with this selection of gear.

(Courtesy of Lifetime)

Drivin’ on the Driveway

Lifetime Adjustable Portable Basketball Hoop

$579.99

There’s no need to go to the local playground to practice when you have a hoop in the driveway. The steel-framed, shatterproof backboard and all-weather net are mounted on a three-piece metal pole powder-coated for corrosion protection, with wheels on the base to make moving it easy. The height can quickly be adjusted to any height between 7 1/2 and 10 feet to accommodate younger or shorter players.

(Courtesy of Dr. Dish)

Rebound Robot

Dr. Dish iC3 Basketball Shot Trainer

$599.99

Shooting baskets is fun, but chasing the ball isn’t, which makes the Dr. Dish the best way to spend more time shooting. Designed to take mere minutes to install on most portable hoops, this innovative system automatically returns the ball to the player after each shot, leaving more time to focus on his or her shooting form and technique.

(Courtesy of Morpilot)

Pump It Up

Morpilot Automatic Electric Fast Ball Pump

$24.99

There’s just no way around it: You can’t play basketball with an underinflated ball, but using an old-fashioned hand pump takes a lot of time and effort. The Morpilot makes topping off basketballs, footballs, rugby balls, and even inflatable pool toys easy and fast. Just insert the air needle and watch the gauge to see when the ball is fully inflated. Each USB charge inflates about 30 balls.

(Courtesy of 2XU)

Protect Your Arms

2XU Force Compression Arm Guards

$69.99

Basketball is a full-body workout, but while many players rightfully focus on wearing the right shoes, often it’s the arms that take a beating after a lot of dribbling and taking shots. These compression sleeves use “muscle containment stamping” technology to help maintain a constant flow of blood while protecting tendon and fascia groups to mitigate fatigue and swelling.

(Courtesy of Gosports)

Make Any Room a B-Ball Court

GoSports Wall-Mounted Basketball Hoop

$59.99

Add this hoop to a basement, man cave, kid’s bedroom, or even office break room onto wall studs or drywall, and you can practice shooting day or night, regardless of the weather. The kit includes two six-inch inflatable basketballs that are textured to feel like full-size ones, a hand pump, and an oversized 30- by 21-inch backboard that protects the wall from missed shots.