The Best Basketball Hoop Accessories, According to NBA Pros

It’s hard to dethrone an OG apparatus with staying power. And this one has some cool additional features, like a swivel that can pivot 180-degrees and a release as smooth as your favorite point guard (close, anyway). Setting the thing up is a breeze and the steel hooks really keep the attachment fixed, even when you’re deep into your practice session.

Granted, the attachment takes the sex appeal out of your hoop, but considering the instant pass-backs you get as a result, the ends justify the means. In our testing, we appreciated how compatible it was with various kinds of rims and how much force it could withstand. What’s more? You’re rewarded for making shots, as that’s when the magic happens (aka, a swift return of the ball to your waiting hands).

There are many plastic versions out there that simply don’t last. This one is made for season after season. In that sense, there’s real value and should you be with kids, the added durability is all the more welcome. While you can use the attachment on an indoor hoop, it can be a little harder on a leather ball, so be warned.

Read more: How to Achieve NBA-Level Mental Fitness

Purchasing a basketball pad for your home court may seem superfluous until you lose a tooth crashing into the pole. Pad that thing up with this well-made accessory from Silverback. The brand is behind some great hoops gear and this piece is no exception. You can throw it on just about any hoop and the inch-and-a-half worth of cushioning will protect those bones and teeth when you’re battling against your fiercest rival.

Bonus points for well-made velcro straps that keep the thing in place and a weatherproof design to handle the elements. Plus, the addition makes your hoop look all the more professional (every court has pads in the NBA and WNBA, right?).

For many, the only time we have to shoot around is after school or work, and when the days are short, the natural light can fade quicker than we like. This hoop light is perfect for anyone who wants to ball after the sun has set. Sure you could try to make do with the garage or porch light, but usually those bulbs don’t reach every part of the court you’d like. The LED system attaches to your hoop a bit like a desk lamp, to solve this very problem.

We were drawn to the steel alloy build of this attachment, on top of the way it throws light. Because it casts light pretty much straight down, you don’t have to worry much about glare as you’re shooting. And the power of said light is adequate even for the darkest of nights. The light does a pretty good job even when errant shots strike the pole and the fact that it can come off with ease is great if you don’t want to see it during the day.

Bring the park court surface to your place of residence with this eye-catching deck tile. The single square-foot panels connect together like puzzle pieces, forming a court you can color and size to your liking. For those who are dealing with surface that changes grip or aesthetic, this is a great way to bring real NBA energy to your home.

We appreciated the slip-resistant surface and how it handled both UV rays in the sun and drained when the rain came down. However, a slightly thicker build might add for a little more give and added comfort, especially when you’re crashing the board for rebounds. After testing, we believe it’s best for a smaller court and note that 40 tiles come per box.

Want ESPN-level stats on your game? Of course you do, we live in the stats era. That, and it’s cool to see the figures reflect the improvement in your outside shooting. This is one of the more modern basketball hoop accessories, utilizing an app to track the specifics of your range.

The ball syncs up with the app, blowing up your phone with cool numbers like release angle and time, shooting percentage, and even swish percentage for those perfectionists out there. All that comes in real time and by way of a regulation leather ball that does well both indoor and out.

Pros

• Adjustable height
• Can be used for other sports (or as a Halloween scarecrow)

Most mannequins are stuck at the mall sporting mediocre clothing. This one gets to defend you, offering a fine opponent as you work on your crossover or step-back jumper. You can adjust the size of your defensive threat and the outstretched arms are lifelike, allowing you to practice game-like scenarios even on your own.

And if you’re a multi-sports person, all the better, as this dummy can be used on the football field or as part of a wall when shooting free kicks on the soccer pitch. Just don’t bump into it too much as it’s not nearly as sturdy as a proper human.

Pros

• Compact size
• Great for all sports
• Includes retractable tripod

Make it count, literally, with this digital score keeper. It’ll make your home court feel a bit more like a pro arena and you’ll never be arguing over who’s ahead. Admittedly, it’s fun to see the official score all lit up, even when you’re just playing one-on-one with your neighbor. It elevates the atmosphere and raises the stakes of the game (oh, and eliminates arguments over the count).

There’s an 85-decibel buzzer and because it displays home and away scores, it can be used for any sport you like. The only real downfall is that it’s remote operated, so you’ll need a scorekeeper if you’re the one on the court.