12 Nike gift ideas for basketball players

Buying guide

Explore top Nike basketball shoes, apparel and gear to give to the basketball player in your life.

Last updated: 14 September 2023
4 min read
12 Nike Gift Ideas for Basketball Players to Shop Now

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

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

(Related: Every position in basketball, explained)

The best Nike gifts for basketball players

1. Basketball shoes

Nike high-performance basketball shoes outfit top professional athletes and casual players alike. With dozens of styles designed for men, women, boys and girls, you can find a shoe that will stand out in your loved one's next basketball 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.

2. Sweat-wicking basketball socks

If you're gift-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.

3. Basketball and ball pump

Nike basketballs come in a variety of sizes and materials to accommodate all ages and levels of play. The more often a basketball player hits 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.

4. Basketball sleeves and armbands

If you're a basketball fan, 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.

5. Basketball headband

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 great gift 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)

6. Basketball top

A basketball player can never have enough T-shirts. For a high-performance gift, 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.

7. Basketball shorts

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.

8. Basketball trousers

Before a basketball game, some players like to throw on a pair of 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 basketball players can comfortably wear them over shorts and adjust the waistband as needed.

9. Basketball sweatshirt

A basketball sweatshirt is a versatile gift that players can wear whether they're recovering on the bench or need another layer after a game. From crew necks to hoodies to fleeces, Nike has loads of styles that could be the perfect gift for the basketball player in your life.

10. Slides

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 high-quality basketball shoes, it's best not to wear them off the court.

11. Basketball duffel or backpack

Basketball players 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)

12. Basketball fan gear

For major basketball fans with strong team allegiances, Nike offers all the gift ideas you could want, including NBA, WNBA and university-team gear. Whether the basketball 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

Originally published: 25 October 2022

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