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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 basketball gifts, 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 from Sports Illustrated Kids issues), 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 Wade wore 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 actually give to 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 our main 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.
Gifts under $25
These sporty socks are available in five bold colors and offer a nice accent to a boring rotation of white tube socks.
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.
If they’ve played pickup around New York, they’ll appreciate this ball keychain with a NYC Parks logo on it.
Artist and Knicks fan Andrew Kuo says 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.
This mug is perfect for practicing free throws (with breakfast cereal).
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 writer Chris Crowley.
This foam basketball won’t make noise, but still has plenty of bounce — ideal for dribbling at home.
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.
In Players 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.
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.
Gifts under $50
SB Nation producer Brady Klopfer recommends gifting any work from artist Drake Cereal, which he calls his “favorite basketball artist.”
I love this Drake Cereal print of Ellie, basketball’s most beloved mascot.
A slightly larger over-the-door hoop is perfect for practicing windmill dunks and championship buzzer-beater threes.
Playa Society makes 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.
Written and illustrated by the co-hosts of the podcast Cookies Hoops, Ben Detrick and Andrew Kuo, this basketball encyclopedia is peppered with hot takes that are displayed through essays, colorful graphics, illustrations, and charts.
The guys at Cookies Hoops design cool graphic T-shirts for New York’s basketball teams (and beyond). We included these shirts in our 76 gift-basket ideas for all types of people, including Knicks and Liberty fans.
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.
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.”
If they have every Knicks jersey imaginable, these shorts with New York lettering on the front (like LeBron James’s Lakers shorts) should shake up their wardrobe.
SB Nation editorial manager Harrison Faigen says 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.”
This limited-edition bottle of 1800 Tequila has a silicone sleeve that has a basketball-like texture.
A callback to the classic video-game series NBA Jam, these shirts showcase iconic duos in the NBA.
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.”
Gifts under $100
These knitted lambswool sweaters (sizes XXS to XXL) are emblazoned with classic logos from six teams: the Knicks, Lakers, Celtics, Warriors, Bulls, and 76ers.
Get them a point-guard Snoopy bobblehead (available in different NBA team outfits).
Plantsketball breathes life into worn basketballs and turns them into hanging planters.
This net with a magnetic ring can attach to any netless rim, so now they can play with actual swooshes at the park.
Playa Society’s big graphics are always eye-catching, and this pair of sweatpants with a hand-drawn design is no exception.
Slam magazine 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.
O’Donnell recommends this classic Wilson ball, which is approved for play by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
Kuo is a fan of this book by artist David 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.”
The latest edition of NBA 2K features better graphics and hyperrealistic game mechanics.
Gifts under $200
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 actor Max 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.
O’Donnell says you can’t go wrong with a new pair of KD17s, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant’s signature shoe.
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, including NBA athletes. The Sabrina 2 is the latest version.
I like the retro look of this Knicks logo, especially on this acrylic rug. Kith used a similar design on this collared pullover shirt and this long-sleeve tee.
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