Basketball T-Shirt Ideas

Whether you are looking to raise the stakes of a pickup basketball league or searching for creative ways to support your team, coming up with your own basketball T-shirt is an easy and fun way to display your enthusiasm for the game. Unlike with football, baseball or hockey, a T-shirt is all you need to get on the court. A wide variety of materials is available, and there are plenty of resources both online and at your local sporting-goods store to help you find the right basketball T-shirt.

  1. Finding the Right Material

    • Basketball is fast-paced, high-energy game, so it is important to choose a material that is both breathable and absorbent. A 100 percent polyester "performance" T-shirt from a brand like Jockey or Hanes will wick moisture away, keep players cool and are built to last. For cooler days playing outdoors, a 100 percent cotton shirt is a good alternative, as it will maintain body temperatures without overheating the player. For more-professional quality, a 100 percent polyester micro-mesh jersey material is lightweight and flows well. If you don't mind spending $20 to $30, Under Armour (see References below) has a wide selection of T-shirts among its offerings of the latest in performance sports apparel. It also has reversible gear that keeps athletes warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

    Choosing the Proper Cut

    • Various shapes, sizes and fits for a basketball T-shirt are available. Rather than using a short-sleeve shirt, try a sleeveless shirt for extra mobility and style. A tank top or muscle shirt are two cuts popular with basketball players. For a homemade version, just cut the sleeves off an old T-shirt. This look allows for a more-fluid shooting motion. Russell makes a popular 100 percent cotton muscle shirt that can be bought for $8 on Amazon.com (see References below). A jersey-style shirt, which is sleeveless and loose-fitting, is another option, though they generally cost around $20. A basketball "shooting shirt" usually is a polyester, V-neck shirt with contrasting color side panels for added flair.

    A Custom Design

    • A personalized and imaginative custom design on the T-shirt can add can spirit and edge to your basketball squad. Online sites such as customink.com and rivalart.com. offer a variety of customized logo and design templates. Generally, a basketball "shooting shirt" is less-expensive alternative to a jersey, and runs $10 to $12 depending on how many are purchased. A cotton or polyester shirt runs $7 to $9. Local sporting-goods stores often provide custom designs and templates for their line of T-shirts. With a bit of creativity you can come up with your own, or perhaps ask an artistically inclined friend to lend his talents to the team. Add your name (or nickname) and number on the back to complete your special shirt.