Basketball jerseys: play and support

Match, training, reversible: which jersey for which use?

The right jersey primarily depends on where you're wearing it.

• The match jersey is sleeveless, with wide armholes to raise your arms to shoot without pulling on the fabric. It has the number and the club colours.
• The training jersey has a similar cut but is simpler to withstand repeated washes.
• The reversible jersey offers two sides of different colours: flip it over and the opposition forms without pinnies. It's the first purchase for many clubs for training sessions.
• The base layer is worn under the jersey, close to the body, to keep the muscles warm or to prevent chafing.
• The supporter version is based on the jersey of an NBA franchise, a European club, or a legend, with a cut designed for the stands and the street.

Mesh, polyester, cut: how to read a jersey specification

A basketball jersey is judged by its ability to dry. Breathable polyester wicks sweat away to the outside, and mesh zones, often on the back and sides, ventilate where you heat up the most. Flat seams prevent irritation under the arms, a detail that matters over forty minutes of play.

Next, look at the length. A match jersey should stay tucked into the shorts: if it's too short, it comes out with every jump. Seamless versions, knitted in one piece, fit the body a bit more snugly and are lighter.

What the rules say about the jersey

In official competitions, the jersey must be tucked into the shorts, and all players on a team must wear the same dominant colour both front and back. The FIBA rules allow numbers 0, 00, and from 1 to 99. If you wear a t-shirt or a base layer underneath, check with your club for the colour required by your competition: it usually needs to match that of the jersey.

The jerseys of other textile categories

The jersey doesn't make the whole outfit. The basketball shorts are often chosen from the same range to keep colours consistent. For warming up, t-shirts and polos offer sleeves and a closer fit. Under the jersey, baselayers add a technical layer, and tracksuits dress the bench and for travel. To finish the outfit, don't forget the socks. The textile categories page simplifies everything.

Five brands to know for a jersey

These brands carry the essentials of the jerseys chosen on the site, each on a different field.

• New Era outfits American football fans with NFL mesh jerseys in the colours of the Saints, Steelers, or Seahawks, to be worn in the city.
• adidas provides jerseys for Paris Basketball and ASVEL in supporter version, as well as lightweight training jerseys like the Adizero.
• Mitchell & Ness, from Philadelphia, brings back jerseys of NBA legends: Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson.
• Under Armour focuses on close-fitting layers, with ColdGear compression base layers for cold gyms and HeatGear tops for warm weather.
• Craft, a Swedish brand, outfits clubs with its reversible Basket 2.0 range and also creates jerseys for French clubs.

Finding a jersey at a discount

To equip a team without blowing the budget, start with the sales and clearance, where end-of-line teamwear often returns. Throughout key periods, the Black Friday textile page and the Christmas textile selection gather discounts on jerseys. For an upcoming match, items shipped in 24 hours go quickly.

Frequently asked questions

What size basketball jersey should I choose?

Take your usual size for a match or training jersey: the loose fit is already intended. If you're between two sizes, the smaller one is usually better tucked into the shorts. For a supporter version worn in the city, some prefer a size up for a looser fit.

How to wash a jersey with printing without damaging the number?

Turn the jersey inside out, wash it in cold water or at low temperature, and avoid fabric softener. The tumble dryer and iron can peel off heat-pressed prints. Let it dry on a hanger, out of direct sunlight to keep the colours.

Does a reversible jersey replace two jerseys?

For training, yes: a light side and a dark side are enough to form two teams. In official matches, however, the jersey must have a readable number on both the front and back, and many clubs keep a dedicated set. The reversible is therefore a supplement, not a replacement.

Can you wear a t-shirt under your jersey in a match?

This is possible in most competitions, as long as you respect the colour required by the organiser. The simplest option is a thin base layer designed for that. Check with your club before the first match.

Can a supporter version be used for playing?

For a friendly match, nothing stops you. It is, however, designed for everyday comfort, with sometimes thicker fabric and sewn or embroidered numbers. If you're playing often, a training jersey dries faster and withstands washes better.