• Determine Your Basketball Equipment Needs

• Explore Basketball System Options

• Get the Right Basketball Accessories

• Find Basketball Systems on eBay

• Buy Basketball Systems With Confidence

Determine Your Basketball Equipment Needs

Determine Your Basketball Equipment Needs

The type of basketball system you need depends on where you plan to install it, frequency of use, and if players will use it for light practicing or for serious games. For example, if you live in a housing community, consult with your home owner's association before making any purchase. Many only allow portable basketball systems.

Hang a hoop

Wall-mount basketball systems allow you to attach a basket to the side of your house, garage, or roof. They will never be in the way, but require installation. Most wall-mount basketball systems include a backboard, rim, net, and mounting kit and some come with an extension arm that allows the rim and net to extend out from your house. Like any permanent solution, you want a good-looking opaque backboard so your basketball hoop won't become the center of attention when neighbors drive by your house. Consider a different option if you have a steep or shingled roof; they have trouble holding a backboard straight.

Portable performance

Shoot hoops almost anywhere with an easy, convenient, and practical portable basketball system. These standalone units include a base with wheels, backboard, pole, and rim. Fill the base with water or sand for stability while you play and then wheel your system into the garage or a large closet until you want to use it again. Most portable basketball systems also allow you to fold down the basket for even easier storage. Although portable basketball systems don't offer the same stability as in-ground systems, they make a good choice for casual and recreational players who don't want to deal with system installation.

Optimum stability

Durable in-ground pole basketball systems require more effort to set up and install, but offer more stability than wall-mounted and portable basketball systems. In-ground systems work by securing a pole into concrete (usually about six 90-pound bags of cement) and include a backboard, pole, and rim. You'll find two types of in-ground basketball systems on eBay: bolt-on (also called anchor bolt) and standard pole-mount.

• Bolt on: Anchor basketball systems bolt or cement a pole into an anchor set in a concrete base. If you want to move the system, uproot the pole. You won't be able to move the anchor, but they do not cost a lot of money to replace.

• Standard: Standard in-ground basketball systems secure the basketball pole itself in concrete. These basketball systems are highly stable as a result, but you won't be able to move or adjust the pole without damaging it or the ground anchoring it.

No matter what type of in-ground basketball system you choose, make sure the pole has measurement marks to indicate where the visible portion of the pole should begin. Marks will help you determine the proper distance between the basketball hoop and ground before your cement dries. Call in a contractor if you don't feel comfortable mixing and pouring concrete yourself.

Adjustable systems

Adjustable in-ground and portable basketball systems allow you to adapt the height of a basket for people of different heights and skill levels. These basketball systems are a great option if you have a small child and want to change basket height as he or she grows. Systems geared toward kids, such as products from First Team, can go as low as 4.5 feet. Adults who want to practice dunking should look for the more common basketball systems that offer adjustments from 7.5 to a regulation 10 feet.

Most adjustable basketball systems provide a crank or lever on the back of the pole to adjust height, but some use an electric motor. Motorized adjustment systems cost more than manual systems and can sacrifice performance features in exchange for convenience.

Explore Basketball System Options

Explore Basketball System Options

When shopping for a basketball system, look at the dimensions of its three most important components: the backboard, pole, and rim.

Backboard

Select a basketball backboard that'll give you the best bounce so that you won't have to run after the ball every time you make a shot.

• Shape: Backboards come in two common shapes: fan-shaped and rectangular. Fan-shaped backboards have a streamlined look and cost less than rectangular models. However, you'll have a harder time making bank shots where a basketball needs to hit the backboard before going into the net. Rectangular backboards typically cost more but provide more room to shoot.

• Size: Backboards come in several sizes: 42-inch, 44-inch, 48-inch, 54-inch, 60-inch, and 72-inch. Backboards on home systems usually fall in the 40-inch to 60-inch range and measure 5/16-inch to 1/2-inch thick. Regulation glass backboards measure in at 72 inches across, 42 inches high, and 1/2-inch thick. Larger, easier to hit backboards offer better bounce and make a good choice for beginners.

• Materials: Manufacturers construct backboards out of a variety of materials including composite fiberglass, graphite, acrylic, glass, steel, and aluminum. Although steel and aluminum hold up to a lot of abuse, glass and acrylic have the most professional look and provide the best play. Most home users prefer the outdoor durability of acrylic over fragile fiberglass, graphite, and other materials.

• Evaluate acrylic: The most affordable acrylic backboards come in 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch sizes, but the metal framework needed to support, straighten, and stiffen the thin material can lead to an uneven surface. Uneven surfaces won't bother recreational players. However, if you want to improve your shooting you'll want a more consistent surface to train yourself to shoot properly from different angles without making unnecessary adjustments. A 1/2-inch acrylic backboard does not need a framework and provides this consistency. You may also want a bank-shot target painted on the backboard behind the hoop to help you aim.

Pole

Basketball poles come in four, five, and six-inch sizes. Thicker poles offer greater stability and can support heavier backboards farther from the pole, creating a decent overhang to prevent a player from running full-speed into the pole itself. A six-inch pole can usually support a regulation 72-inch by 42-inch backboard with a four foot overhang.

Rim

The rim of a basket mounts to a backboard, holding a net in place with steel clips. Look for a rim with an 18-inch diameter. It should be at least 5/8-inch thick

• Fixed rims: Fixed rims attach the rim directly to a backboard using a piece of metal. Fixed rims make a good choice for people who don't want to hang off the rim or practice dunking.

• Breakaway rims: Springloaded breakaway rims provide the flexibility needed to prevent a rim from breaking when a player hangs off the rim or frequently dunks a ball.

Solid steel support braces should be at least 1/2-inch thick for durability.

Get the Right Basketball Accessories

Get the Right Basketball Accessories

Get the right equipment to shoot hoops at your local recreation center or at home with the neighborhood kids

• Balls: Basketballs come in a variety of colors, sizes, and materials. Leather balls work well indoors, but quickly break down when used outside. Buy a basketball made out of a synthetic material if you want the versatility of an indoor/outdoor ball. You may also want a weighted ball for training and practice shots. Remember to buy a pump to keep basketballs properly inflated.

• Nets: Basketball systems can take a beating from aggressive players and outdoor elements. Keep replacement all-weather nylon cord or metal chain nets on hand. You may also want to keep additional net clips handy.

• Shoes: Wear the right footwear when you play. eBay has high-top, mid-top, and low-top basketball shoes available for men and women.

• Clothing: Lightweight and breathable clothing helps you bring your best game to the court. Get the right shirts, shorts, and pants, or don the jersey of your favorite NBA player. You'll also find arm warmers and baller ID bands on eBay.

• Training aids: Improve your game with instructional books, videos, and drill training devices.

• System safety: Prevent injuries by making your equipment as safe as possible. Backboard pads and pole pads protect players as well as your equipment.

Find Basketball Systems on eBay

Find Basketball Systems on eBay

Now that you know what to buy, narrowing down item listings to the basketball system you want shouldn't take much time. Go to the Sporting Goods portal and click Basketball.

• Categories: Use the links in the Categories list on the left side of the page to begin narrowing down item listings. You'll find links for Apparel & Footwear, Backboards, Systems, Rims, Balls, Training Aids, and more.

• Keywords: Let eBay find items for you by entering the keywords you want to find into the search box. For example, if you want a Lifetime basketball system, type "lifetime" (without quotation marks) into the search box. If you know what brand and model you want, type in the information to get your customized results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more advice about searching with keywords.

• Let sellers help: A good item listing should include a clear item description and should also include a clear picture. If you want to know about information not included in a listing, email the seller your question by clicking "Ask seller a question" under the seller's profile.

If you can't seem to find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save your search and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Basketball Systems With Confidence

Buy Basketball Systems With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.