19 Basketball Gifts for Boys Who Live on the Court

A tough rubber ball in youth size 5 that can be left in the yard, bounced on gravel and kicked around without anyone worrying. At about $11 it is a smart second ball for the trunk or grandparents' house, or a starter ball for a younger brother just getting into the game.

The best first real basketball for boys around 9 to 11. It carries the NBA logo kids recognize, is the correct size 5 for smaller hands, and has a durable cover built for outdoor courts and driveways. Shooting with a ball that fits helps him develop proper form instead of heaving a too-big ball from his chest.

When the streetlights come on, this ball lights up and the game keeps going. It is a full-size 7, so it is best for boys about 12 and up who already play with a regulation ball, and it is the kind of gift his friends will all want to try.

A soft basketball dribbles badly and teaches bad habits. This hand pump inflates on both the push and the pull, so topping up a ball takes seconds, and the spare needles mean he will not lose the only one. A smart add-on to any ball or hoop gift.

The arcade game from the pizza place, in his basement or garage. Two hoops, 16 game modes and an announcer make it perfect for head-to-head battles with a brother, a friend or Dad, and accurate electronic scoring settles every argument. It folds up for storage, and it keeps him shooting on winter evenings when the driveway is dark.

This portable hoop starts at about 5.5 feet so a young boy can actually make shots and feel like a player, then raises toward regulation 10 feet as he grows. The 44-inch backboard and fillable base sit on a driveway without drilling, and wheels let you move it out of the way. It is the gift that will get the most use over the next five years.

Shooting practice is mostly chasing missed shots down the street. A rebounder net attaches behind the hoop and sends the ball back out, so a boy practicing alone gets several times as many shots in the same half hour. It also stops balls rolling into the road or bouncing off the car.

For rainy days and late evenings, a mini hoop that hangs on his bedroom door with no tools, plus four small balls. It is a great budget gift for younger boys and keeps the dunk celebrations inside his own room.

The bag you see slung over shoulders at every AAU tournament. A separate vented compartment keeps sweaty sneakers away from schoolbooks, and the foil-lined pocket holds a cold drink. It is a splurge, but for a boy who goes straight from class to practice it doubles as his school bag.

A 20-foot speed ladder, hurdles, cones, a jump rope and a resistance parachute in one bag. Footwork drills are what separate starters from bench players, and this set lets him run the same drills his coach uses in the backyard or driveway.

The Nike Elite style is the shorts every boy on the team wants, in kids' sizing with a quick-tie drawcord that keeps them up during games. Dri-FIT fabric dries fast, so they work for practice, gym class and summer camp.

Young players copy what they see on TV, and a shooting sleeve is one of the cheapest ways to look like an NBA guard. These are sized for youth arms, wick sweat, and have a silicone band so they do not slide down mid-game.

Basketball sneakers chew through socks, and every boy who plays will happily take six fresh pairs. Cushioned soles help on hard gym floors, and Dri-FIT keeps feet drier through doubleheaders. Easy to tuck into a bigger gift.

For an older boy with his first iPhone, a clear shockproof case printed with a basketball jersey design and his own name and jersey number. It protects the phone from the inevitable drops and lets him rep his number off the court. Double-check his iPhone model when ordering.

A small acrylic keychain with his name and jersey number on a basketball design. Clip it to a backpack zipper or gym bag; it also makes a great end-of-season gift if you are buying for a whole team on a budget.

Kobe Bryant explains in his own words how he studied opponents, prepared his body and approached every possession, alongside big photographs from his career. The short chapters and images suit boys from about 10 up, and the message about hard work is one parents will be glad to hand over.

A 16 oz mug with a tiny hoop on the side, so he can shoot marshmallows into his hot chocolate or cereal pieces into his bowl. It is silly in the best way and a guaranteed laugh at breakfast, aimed squarely at boys around 8 to 12.

You choose his name, the size and the colors, so you can match his team colors or his favorite NBA franchise. It peels off cleanly without damaging paint, which makes it a parent-friendly way to turn his bedroom into a basketball room.

Seven sealed packs of this season's Hoops set, with rookies, parallels and inserts to hunt for. Ripping packs and trading duplicates with friends is a huge part of being a young NBA fan, and this value box is an affordable way to start or grow his collection.