Swish the Net
Alley-oop! Layups, slam dunks, free throws and three-pointers all rely on you getting the ball to the basketball hoop and sinking it in with that satisfying swish.
Let Hibbett | City Gear help you find the right basketball goal for your style. You’ve got game, and we’ve got plenty of options whether you’re looking for a portable basketball hoop you can move around your driveway, a more permanent setup drilled into the wall or an electronic basketball game for endless indoor fun. Our inventory includes top-quality basketball hoops from brands like Spalding, Franklin, SKLZ and Tanner’s.
Anatomy of a Basketball Goal
Wondering about the components of a basketball hoop? Here’s a rundown of the pieces and parts:
- Backboard: This key piece is either fan- or rectangular-shaped and comes in fiberglass, tempered glass, acrylic and other tough materials.
- Rim: The metal ring allows you to sink the ball in. Many rims also come spring-loaded.
- Net: Often made of white nylon, the net attaches to and hangs from the rim.
- Post or Pole: The basketball goal’s post may be composed of steel or other solid metals.
- Base: If you have a portable basketball goal, you’ll need a firm foundation to keep that goal where you want it to stay. You’ll fill most of these bases with either water or sand. Most portable systems also include wheels for mobility.
- Height Adjusters: Many hoops will have a 7.5- to 10-foot adjustment range, allowing even the smallest ballers to more easily get the ball where it needs to go.
- If you’re practicing slam dunks, choose an in-ground goal for extra stability, along with a polycarbonate or shatterproof glass backboard.
- Graphite and polyethylene backboards are perfect for beginners and youth players.
- Tempered glass is often used at many gyms and at the professional level because it’s much heavier and doesn’t vibrate as easily. Plus, it resists scratching and puts a nice spin on the ball for better rebounding.
- For youth players, consider a hoop with a height adjuster. A 44-inch backboard is sufficient for pint-size ballers.
- Teens and older kids need the rebound space of a bigger backboard in 48- to 50-inch widths.
- The 54- to 60-inch backboards or the regulation 72-inch backboards work for aggressive or professional basketball players.
How to Choose a Basketball Hoop
With so many options for basketball goals, which one should you select? Are you in the market for a portable basketball hoop or a more permanent setup? What kind of backboard material do you want? Here are some considerations when choosing the best basketball goal for your setup:
Where do you want it?
Find a location that provides you room to play. It could be your neighborhood cul-de-sac, a driveway, inside a garage, against the back wall of your home or in your bedroom.
Will you move it around?
An in-ground system gets cemented into the ground and mounted hoops get screwed into a wall or door. A portable basketball goal, however, includes wheels and a weighted base that allows you to more easily position your basketball hoop where it needs to go.
How do you play?
Who’s going to play?
Trust the pros at Hibbett | City Gear to help you match the right basketball goal for your skills. Get game-ready when you shop our inventory in-stores and online.
