Basketball is one of the cheapest youth sports to outfit. The shoes are the only piece of gear that really matters. Everything else is a t-shirt and a pair of shorts.
That said, the shoes matter a lot. Bad shoes lead to ankle sprains, which lead to a kid who doesn’t want to play.
Ages 5–7 (Bitty / mini league)
This age plays on lowered hoops with a smaller ball. The gear list is tiny.
Basketball shoes (NOT regular sneakers)
Real basketball shoes have ankle support and grippy rubber soles designed for indoor courts. Running shoes don’t. A 6-year-old playing on a slick gym floor in running shoes is going to slip.
How to choose: ankle should sit just below the ankle bone. Heel should not slip when they push off. Indoor-specific outsoles are smoother than outdoor.
Cost range: $35–60.
A size-4 (junior) basketball
Bitty leagues use a size-4 or size-5 ball. The size-7 official ball is too big for hands this small.
How to choose: any major brand. Indoor-only balls have a softer cover; outdoor balls have a tougher rubber. Buy indoor for indoor leagues.
Cost range: $15–30.
Athletic shorts and a t-shirt
The team usually provides a jersey. Practice gear is a basic athletic t-shirt and basketball-style shorts (not running shorts).
Cost range: $15–30 for shorts.
Water bottle
Yes, every sport. Yes, with their name on it.
Cost range: $15–35.
Ages 8–10
The hoop comes up to regulation height (8.5 or 9 feet at this age in many leagues, 10 feet in some). The ball moves up. Real practice begins.
Basketball shoes (a real pair)
Mid-cut shoes are the standard at this age. The ankle support matters more as kids get faster and more aggressive.
How to choose: replace the original insoles with sport-specific insoles ($15 to $30) for better arch support. The original insoles in most basketball shoes are flat foam.
Cost range: $50–100.
A size-5 (intermediate) basketball
Most 8-to-10-year-old leagues use a size-5 or size-6 ball. Check league rules.
Cost range: $20–45.
Athletic socks (cushioned)
Basketball socks have extra cushioning at the heel and ball of the foot. Worth it. Crew length is standard.
Cost range: $10–20 for a 3-pack.
A practice ball at home
Optional but useful. Kids who shoot 50 shots a day in their driveway get better. Kids who don’t, don’t.
Cost range: $20–60 for a decent indoor/outdoor ball.
Ages 11–12
This is when basketball gets fast. The shoes become more important. Some kids start AAU here.
Basketball shoes (mid to high-cut)
High-tops or mid-cuts are common at this age. The ankle support reduces sprains. Some kids prefer low-cuts for speed; that’s a trade-off.
How to choose: have your kid do a one-leg balance drill in the shoes (stand on one foot for 10 seconds, eyes closed). If they wobble dramatically, the shoe doesn’t fit right.
Cost range: $80–150.
A size-6 (women’s) or size-7 (men’s) basketball
Boys’ leagues at age 12 typically use a size-7 official ball. Girls’ leagues use a size-6. Check your league rules.
Cost range: $25–60.
A compression shirt or sleeve (optional)
Some kids wear compression shirts under the jersey or compression sleeves for shooting form. Not necessary; some kids like the feel.
Cost range: $20–40.
Ages 13–14 (Middle school and travel)
School ball begins. AAU is in full swing. The travel circuit is its own economy.
Real basketball shoes ($100+)
The cheap shoes don’t last anymore. Kids practice 4-6 days a week at this age. A $50 shoe will be worn through in 3 months.
How to choose: name brand basketball shoes (Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, New Balance) all work. The shoe your kid wants is the shoe they will wear with pride. Don’t fight that battle.
Cost range: $100–200.
Two pairs of shoes (separate practice and game)
Serious players keep one pair for indoor practice and one pair for games. Doubles the lifespan of each pair.
Cost range: $100–200 each.
Knee sleeves or sleeves (optional)
Some kids start to wear knee sleeves preventatively. Others wait until they get hurt. Either is fine.
Cost range: $15–35 each.
Ages 15+ (High school and club)
Most high-school programs provide jerseys, shooting shirts, and warm-ups. You buy shoes and personal gear.
AAU and club basketball runs $1,500 to $5,000 per year for a competitive team. Tournament fees, travel, hotels. The shoes are the smallest line item by a long way.
How to choose basketball shoes (the universal test)
This works at any age. Three checks:
One. The toe box. Your kid’s longest toe should have about half a thumbnail of room from the front of the shoe. Too tight, they get blisters and lose toenails. Too loose, they slide forward on dunks (or layups for shorter humans).
Two. The heel. When your kid pushes off (have them do a quick lateral step in the store), the heel should not slip up out of the shoe. Heel slip leads to blisters and bad form.
Three. The ankle. For mid and high-tops, the ankle collar should be snug but not cutting. They should be able to flex their ankle in all directions without the shoe binding.
If all three pass, the shoe fits. The brand and the price don’t matter half as much as the fit.
A few honest notes
Don’t buy basketball shoes online without trying them on. Sizing varies wildly between brands.
Don’t buy your kid a $200 signature pro shoe at age 7. They will outgrow it in 3 months and they don’t notice the difference.
The ball your kid plays with at home matters more than the one at practice. They get more reps in the driveway than in the gym.
— Dan