12 Nike Gift Ideas for Basketball Players

With all the possible options, finding a gift for the basketball player in your life can be fun. Often associated with the latest style trends, innovative footwear and tons of fan gear, basketball offers plenty of avenues to explore.

Whether you're shopping for a birthday, Christmas or end-of-season gift, these basketball gift ideas are made for ballers to enjoy on and off the court.

(Related: Every Position in Basketball, Explained)

Nike high-performance basketball shoes outfit top professional athletes and casual pickup players alike. With dozens of styles designed for men, women and kids, you can find a shoe that will stand out and give new life to your loved one's game.

Choose a colourway you know they'll love or opt for a shoe with specific design elements they might appreciate—like easy on-and-off features or a low-top silhouette.

If you're shopping for a basketball player who seems to have everything, you can't go wrong with a few pairs of sweat-wicking Nike Basketball socks. Investing in a few fresh pairs of no-show, ankle or crew socks is a great way to kick off a new season and help keep the feet cool and dry throughout play.

Nike basketballs come in a variety of sizes and materials to accommodate all ages and levels of play. The more often players hit the court, the more often they'll need to use an air pump—or replace their basketball altogether.

Consider gifting a new basketball and a ball pump to go with it. For players who play indoors and outdoors, look for a ball with a durable rubber exterior that can stand up to different surfaces.

If you watch professional basketball, you'll notice many of the pros wear basketball sleeves. Made with sweat-wicking technology, they help keep players' arms dry and cool on the court.

Nike styles also feature abrasion-resistant materials to help protect the skin, and the flat-seam design feels smooth and comfortable to support full range of motion in the arms.

A sweat-wicking headband built for basketball can help stop sweat from getting in the eyes or pooling on the brow. Nike offers lots of options, including reversible styles, so players can switch up colours for home and away games.

(Related: The 8 Best Nike Exercise Headbands for Your Favourite Workout)

Players can never have enough basketball tees. For high performance, pick out a Nike Dri-FIT top to help wick away sweat during play.

For off-court wear, select a graphic tee that speaks to your loved one's favourite part of the game. Some styles feature Nike signature athletes, while others sport bold, basketball-inspired designs, graphics or mantras.

Nike offers basketball shorts in a variety of lengths, from retro, shorter hemlines to longer styles that provide more coverage. Choose from a variety of fabrics and colourways in the collection—and pair them with high-performance compression shorts for a complete set.

Some players like to throw on a pair of basketball trousers over their shorts to warm up. Nike Basketball trousers range from cosy fleece styles to lightweight, woven options. To ensure a proper fit, consider a pair with a roomy feel and an adjustable drawstring, so players can comfortably wear them over shorts and adjust the waistband as needed.

A basketball sweatshirt is a versatile gift idea that players can wear whether they're recovering on the bench or need another layer after a game. Nike has tons of styles, from crew necks to hoodies to fleeces.

After a tough game or training session, nothing beats the feeling of removing sweaty basketball shoes and slipping on a pair of plush Nike slides. Plus, to help extend the life of a pair of basketball shoes, it's best not to wear them off the court.

Ballers tend to need a spacious bag to carry shoes, a change of clothes, water and other equipment to and from the court. Options range from roomy duffels and backpacks to more minimalist, drawstring bags that players can sling over their shoulder on the way out of the door.

(Related: The Best Nike Bags for Basketball Gear)

For major fans of the sport with strong team allegiances, Nike offers all the gear you could want, including NBA, WNBA, and college and university team gear. Whether the fan in your life roots for specific leagues, teams or players, Nike has a jersey, hat, T-shirt or accessory to help them show off their basketball pride.

Words by Emily Shiffer