The Best Basketball Gifts, According to Basketball Fans and Players
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I’ve been obsessed with basketball since I was a little kid. It was my favorite sport to play during recess and after school, and my favorite to watch. So when I started to compile this list of basketballgifts, I remembered all of the basketball memorabilia in my childhood bedroom that I’d collected over the years: the Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce posters (which I tore out fromSports Illustrated Kidsissues), my ticket stub to the Wizards-Celtics game where I saw Michael Jordan play, and the Marquette University drawstring backpack which — my brother claims —Dwyane Wadewore during a photoshoot.
Those nostalgic reminders of my relationship to the sport are indeed the best basketball-related gifts I’ve received, but items tied to special memories are so specific to each person that they’re hard to actuallygiveto someone else. The good news is that there’s no shortage of other great basketball gifts out there, from merchandise, apparel, books, and equipment that will delight fans and players at every level. I talked to other hoops fans and basketball obsessives, including professional players, about the best gifts they’ve given, received, and are secretly hoping to receive this holiday season, and I’ve included them below at different price ranges. If you’re looking for other types of gift inspiration, make sure to check out ourmain gifting hub, where you’ll find all of our holiday gift guides.
Update on December 12, 2024:Added new gift ideas; updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Giftsunder$25
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Thesesporty socksare available in five bold colors and offer a nice accent to a boring rotation of white tube socks.
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This classic mini Nerf hoop was a crucial part of me and my friends’ childhood basketball memories. If they already have one, give them another to create a full court from the bedroom door to the closet.
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If they’ve played pickup around New York, they’ll appreciate this ball keychain with a NYC Parks logo on it.
Artist and Knicks fanAndrew Kuosays that his friends have given him Knicks prayer candles — perfect for lamenting a less-than-average season. They’re also available for other teams such as the Lakers, Celtics, Heat, Spurs, Fever, Sparks, Mavericks, and more.
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This mug is perfect for practicing free throws (with breakfast cereal).
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In 1991, Darcy Frey spent nine months tracing the lives and dreams of four promising basketball players at Coney Island’s powerhouse Abraham Lincoln High. They include a 13-year-old Stephon Marbury, a future NBA All-Star and New York Knick. “This is a basketball book, sure, but it’s really about their lives in the inner city, and how they are failed and exploited by various powers and institutions like the NCAA,” says Grub Street senior writerChris Crowley.
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This foam basketball won’t make noise, but still has plenty of bounce — ideal for dribbling at home.
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‘Return of the King: LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Greatest Comeback in NBA History,’ by Brian Windhorst and Dave McMenamin
Sports journalist and former Cleveland Cavaliers beat writer Brian Windhorst details LeBron James’s historic come-from-behind championship run in the 2016 NBA Finals.
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InPlayers First, the University of Kentucky men’s basketball head coach, John Calipari, gives us a look into his unrelenting approach to leadership, coaching, and building a successful team.
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Basketball (and Other Things): A Collection of Questions Asked, Answered, Illustrated
This book from Shea Serrano looks back on the sport’s greatest moments, and takes a deep dive into its most debatable topics. It was one of President Barack Obama’s favorite books of 2017.
Giftsunder$50
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Picasso MJ print by Drake Cereal
SB Nation producer Brady Klopfer recommends gifting any work from artistDrake Cereal, which he calls his “favorite basketball artist.”
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Big Ellie print by Drake Cereal
I love this Drake Cereal print of Ellie, basketball’s mostbeloved mascot.
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A slightly larger over-the-door hoop is perfect for practicing windmill dunks and championship buzzer-beater threes.
Playa Societymakes some of the coolest designs for all things WNBA and women’s basketball. I particularly like the design of this shirt featuring the 2024 New York Liberty’s championship roster, and these Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese tees.
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Written and illustrated by the co-hosts of the podcastCookies Hoops,Ben Detrick andAndrew Kuo, this basketball encyclopedia is peppered with hot takes that are displayed through essays, colorful graphics, illustrations, and charts.
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Yao Ming makes asurprisingly goodwine.
The guys at Cookies Hoops design cool graphic T-shirts for New York’s basketball teams (andbeyond). We included these shirts in our 76gift-basketideas for all types of people, including Knicks and Liberty fans.
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My friend — a new Spurs fan — received this comic-book-style graphic tee as a gift and loves it. It features seven-foot-four Victor Wembanyama, one of the most anticipated NBA rookies since LeBron James.
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Kuo says the best basketball-related gift he’s ever received was this trophy. “Victor Solomon, that jerk who designs all the NBA trophies, sent me a bootleg mail-order trophy for being the number-one Celtics hater,” he says. “Fantastic. Ten out of ten.”
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If they have every Knicks jersey imaginable, these shorts with New York lettering on the front (likeLeBron James’s Lakers shorts) should shake up their wardrobe.
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SB Nation editorial managerHarrison Faigensays this biography of Giannis Antetokounmpo “makes you feel like you’re walking with him in Greece as he goes from peddling street trinkets for food to working his ass off in dingy gyms to fulfill his NBA dream.”
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This limited-edition bottle of 1800 Tequila has a silicone sleeve that has a basketball-like texture.
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A callback to the classic video-game seriesNBA Jam, these shirts showcase iconic duos in the NBA.
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Spaced Out: How the NBA’s Three-Point Revolution Changed Everything You Thought You Knew About Basketball by Mike Prada
Ricky O’Donnell, associate director of programing at SB Nation, says this book by former SB Nation NBA editor Mike Prada is “perfect for understanding the way basketball is now.”
Giftsunder$100
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Little Beast X NBA Dog Sweater
These knitted lambswool sweaters (sizes XXS to XXL) are emblazoned with classic logos from six teams: the Knicks, Lakers, Celtics, Warriors, Bulls, and 76ers.
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Get them a point-guard Snoopy bobblehead (available in differentNBA team outfits).
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Plantsketball Basketball Planter
Plantsketball breathes life into worn basketballs and turns them into hanging planters.
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Thisnetwith a magnetic ring can attach to any netless rim, so now they can play with actualswooshesat the park.
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Playa Society’s big graphics are always eye-catching, and this pair of sweatpants with a hand-drawn design is no exception.
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Slammagazine publishes iconic photos on its covers, and this photo of NBA legend Allen Iverson is among their best. This issue features raised gold metal lettering across the cover.
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O’Donnell recommends this classic Wilson ball, which is approved for play by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
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Kuo is a fan of this book by artistDavid Hammons, based on his exhibition of the same name. “I gave them away to some basketball fans who maybe aren’t art people, but it’s really interesting.”
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The latest edition ofNBA 2Kfeatures better graphics and hyperrealistic game mechanics.
Giftsunder$200
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NBA League Pass Subscription
There are 1,230 total games in the NBA regular season, but not all of them are nationally televised. NBA League Pass gives you access to live and on-demand games and games that are out of market. For the dedicated hoops fan who wants to catch every game — like actorMax Greenfield— League Pass is a no-brainer.
These throwback snap-button jackets have a timeless look and would make a good gift for any die-hard fan.
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Nike KD17 Basketball Shoes
O’Donnell says you can’t go wrong with a new pair of KD17s, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant’s signature shoe.
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The Sabrina 1 — from Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty — was Nike’s first unisex basketball shoe and has become a popular choice among pro players, includingNBA athletes. The Sabrina 2 is the latest version.
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I like the retro look of this Knicks logo, especially on this acrylic rug. Kith used a similar design on thiscollared pullover shirtand thislong-sleeve tee.
The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestacne treatments,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,natural anxiety remedies, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
