A basketball shooting shirt is a great option to warm up properly before practice or a game. The extra layer keeps your body warm and ready for when your number is called to get in the game and hit the big shot.
While it isn’t rocket science, selecting the best shooting shirt can be tricky. Do you prefer a long sleeve shirt? Short sleeve? One with a hood? These are essential questions to ask before you commit.
Need help? Check out our picks for the best basketball shooting shirt for the top options on the market.
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Who Should Get Basketball Shooting Shirts?
Whether you play regularly or just like to get some shots off in the driveway, your game will only improve when you use a shooting shirt.
As a collegiate basketball player, I can attest to how cold some gyms get during the winter months. It can be nearly impossible to warm your body up and eliminate stiffness.
Shooting shirts combine warmth and comfort, allowing you to get in the zone almost immediately!
Best Basketball Shooting Shirt: What To Consider in 2022
A shooting shirt helps you train and/or warm-up while keeping your body fresh, preventing injury. While each person’s needs are unique, everyone should focus on a couple of factors before buying.
Comfort
This may be an obvious one, but don’t underrate it in your search. By comfort, we mean not only in how the shirt fits but also how it disrupts your shooting and dribbling during warm-ups. You don’t want to wear anything that impedes your natural shooting stroke, especially right before you play a game. Make sure it’s “business as usual” when you pop on your new gear.
Material/Quality
Professional athletes can be picky about the materials they wear while on the court, and rightfully so. Their performance dictates how much money goes into their pockets. Even though you aren’t playing for the big bucks, you still want to do well and feel confident that your apparel will hold up to anything you throw (or dribble, pass, shoot) at it.
Does your shooting shirt “breathe” properly? Will it last under extreme circumstances? Does it look well made? If you answered “yes” to these questions, then you are on the right track with your shooting shirt.
Style
We have selected several shooting shirts to highlight, all with different styles for our broad range of readers. Some players simply can’t make buckets with a long sleeve shirt on, and that’s ok. I am one of them: O would much rather prefer one with either short sleeves or none at all. Only you know your comfort level with different cuts and styles, so go with your gut on this one.
Best Basketball Shooting Shirt: Our Picks 2022
Nike’s Victory short sleeve shooting shirt is a worthy pick because of its versatility, style, and comfort. Its quarter-zip closure helps you warm up even more or cool down during certain points in your training. And the shirt’s 100% polyester material with Nike’s patented Dri-Fit helps maintain your body’s temperature for a more comfortable workout.
What We Like:
Stylish look; it can also be worn casually with friends.
The quarter-zip closure allows use in multiple climates and environments.
It’s made by Nike, one of the most reliable names in athletics.
What We Dislike:
The lack of color options could be problematic for buyers with specific color wants.
I know, you might be thinking, “A sleeveless shooting shirt? What’s the point?” There are several plusses in getting a shooting shirt without sleeves. First, while your arms may not directly benefit from sleeve warmth, the rest of your body will be toasty with the added bonus of a hood.
This shirt makes a statement. The statement is either “I can’t stand shooting with long sleeves on,” or, “I want to look good out there.” Whichever result you want from this shirt, it will deliver.
What We Like:
The hood gives players another level of warmth, allowing you to get shots off no matter the weather.
As an official outfitter of the NCAA, adidas makes quality apparel for any level of competition.
Sleeveless shirts help some who are more comfortable shooting without sleeves.
What We Dislike:
Some complain that the shirts run a bit small, so be sure to research the size chart before buying.
adidas produces only the highest quality apparel. For that reason, I wanted to feature their long sleeve model as well. This shirt’s thickness is a plus for getting shots up in a cold gym or outside in the elements. And at their price point, they’re a great value that will last throughout your playing career.
What We Like:
Adidas’ commitment to providing options to all types of hoopers
It’s not as heavy as a sweatshirt, but heavier than a t-shirt. It gives you a unique feel when you warm up.
What We Dislike:
Some feel constricted by the heavier material. Not every shirt is one-size-fits-all, unfortunately.
You may have never heard of Opna before this article, but I am here to tell you that not all quality comes from the big names. Opna’s Athletic Shirt is our best budget pick because of the quality and reputation it has among its customers. Don’t let its look of “just another shirt” fool you. Opna is specifically designed for athletes. Their attention to detail and moisture-wicking technology puts you on the court, ready to drop 30.
What We Like:
The colors! Opna’s shirt comes in 25 different colors, enough to please anyone.
The shirt wicks moisture, stretches in four different directions, and dries fast.
Very functional. It can be worn working out or just out with friends.
What We Dislike:
Opna lacks the household name status and major athlete-backed testimonials, which could be a deal-breaker for some.
Useful Tips & Resources
If you want a complete warm-up before a big game, match your shooting shirt with a great pair of athletic pants. You could go many routes, but I love what some companies are doing by sprucing up their basic sweatpants look.
These joggers from Under Armour look and feel great. With the adoption of an ultra-comfortable cotton-fleece blend, they’re ideal for working out or lounging around the house. A win-win in my book!
Final Thoughts
Finding the best basketball shooting shirt can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Once you understand your game and how you like preparing for gameplay, you can decide easily. Don’t take our word for it, though. Get out there on the court and choose which shooting shirt matches your game and style best. Our picks cover a wide range of styles and functions; you won’t be disappointed in any of our selections.
Have you ever worn a shooting shirt to play or warm up in? What did you think about the experience? Are you a long-sleeve, short-sleeve, or no-sleeve fan? Let us know in the comments section below!
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