12 picks for hoopers, from the driveway to the varsity locker room.
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Basketball players live in the gym, so the best gifts are the ones that go in the bag and get used every day: something to train with, something to recover with, and the small stuff they burn through all season.
Every pick below is sorted by what it does, with a price band so you can shop by budget.
Sensors inside the ball pair with an app to track makes, swishes, shot distance, release time and spin. Spalding says it works indoors or out on any regulation hoop with a net, and the app subscription renews yearly.
An over-the-door hoop with a shatter-proof clear backboard, a spring-action breakaway rim, a mini ball and foam pads that protect the door. It is made for doors, not walls.
They block the view of the ball so players learn to dribble by feel with their eyes up. Hoops Addict says they are light, comfortable and easy for kids, and a good fit for beginner and intermediate players.
Two weighted ropes, a quarter pound and a half pound, that swap on one pair of handles. Bustle calls it the lighter set for players new to weighted rope.
The lightest Theragun yet at about 1.4 pounds, with three speeds, three attachments and app routines. BestReviews makes it the top pick in its massage gun guide.
A foam roller with three vibration speeds built in. Reviewed found it gives a deeper, more intense roll and has the better app of the two smart rollers it compared.
The slide to change into after practice. NBC Select names it the best basic recovery slide and notes that OOFOS practically invented the category.
A big insulated bottle that lets players sip through the built-in straw or drink straight from the spout. It is dishwasher safe, and NBC Select calls it its favorite water bottle.
Open-ear headphones that sit outside the ear, so players hear music and their surroundings on runs and in the weight room. The Athletech News reviewer now wears them on most runs and liked the sound and call quality.
The classic basketball sock, with a snug fit and cushioning where players feel the most pressure. Hoops Addict makes it its top pick.
A moisture-wicking shooter sleeve with HEX padding at the elbow that does not get in the way of the shot. Awesome Hoops makes it its top pick. It comes as one sleeve, in sizes XS to XXXL.
Drop one in the gym bag and find it in the Find My app. MacRumors reports the new chip extends Precision Finding range by up to 50 percent over the first AirTag.
Grip socks, a shooting sleeve set, a big water bottle or a mouthguard. They wear out fast, so a fresh one always gets used.
A smart basketball that reads arc and spin, or an over-the-door mini hoop for reps at home. Both turn free time into shots.
A massage gun or a vibrating foam roller after games, and recovery slides for the walk out of the gym.
