Basketball on Black Friday
The basketball selection for Black Friday is aimed at both NBA fans and players: retro jerseys of Larry Bird, Shaquille O'Neal and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dribbler balls in team colours, the Wilson Tribute ball of the New York Knicks and faded shorts from the Los Angeles Lakers. Perfect for putting together a Christmas gift for a basketball enthusiast, big or small.
For NBA players and fans, at a discounted price before Christmas.
Retro Jerseys: Bird, O'Neal and Antetokounmpo
Retro jerseys bring back three eras of the NBA. Larry Bird wore the green of the Boston Celtics from 1979 to 1992, winning three titles and three consecutive regular-season MVP awards from 1984 to 1986. Shaquille O'Neal secured three titles in a row with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000 to 2002, dominating the paint like few centres before him; the women's model features his purple and gold jersey. Giannis Antetokounmpo's jersey recalls his beginnings with the Milwaukee Bucks, who drafted him in 2013 before he delivered the title to them in 2021. On Black Friday, these collector’s items become sought-after gifts.
By Product Type
The basketball selection is organised by type:
Indoor sports also include handball and volleyball, racquet sports, combat sports.
Wilson, the historical supplier of the NBA ball
Wilson made the first official NBA balls from 1946 for thirty-seven seasons, before handing over to a competitor in 1983. The Chicago brand became the league's supplier again in 2021, with a ball featuring eight panels that have the same characteristics as its predecessor. The NBA Team Tribute range incorporates the colours and logo of a franchise, such as the blue and orange of the New York Knicks, on a rubber ball designed for outdoor play as well as for decorating a fan's room. Paired with a jersey from the same team, it makes a complete gift for a supporter who also plays on the playground.
Dribbler Balls: miniature franchises
The Dribbler ball replicates a basketball in a miniature version: made of rubber, about six centimetres in diameter, it bounces nicely and features the logo and colours of a franchise. Kids take it everywhere to bounce it in the yard, and collectors line up those of their favourite teams, from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Miami Heat, and including the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies or Portland Trail Blazers. It’s a small gift that's easy to slip into a Christmas stocking, perfect for a whole sibling group or to pair with a jersey from the same franchise for a fan who follows the NBA late into the night.
What basketball size according to age
The French basketball federation sets the ball size according to category. Size five balls are for children up to under eleven; size six is for boys under thirteen and all female players from this category up to seniors. The size seven, the largest, is for boys from under fifteen years onward, and then for men. When choosing a gift, it’s important to first pick the size that fits the player’s category, then the material: rubber for outdoor play, composite for indoors. A Dribbler ball or a mini size three ball is suitable for younger kids, before their first club license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the Boston Celtics play in green?
Founded in 1946, the franchise chose its name and colour in homage to Boston’s strong Irish community. The green and the shamrock, symbols of Ireland, have remained central to its identity and jerseys since.
Do NBA jerseys run large?
NBA jerseys follow American sizes, which are quite loose: take your usual size for a relaxed fit, or one size down for a more fitted jersey. Women's models, which are more tailored, should be chosen according to their specific size guide.
What is a washed basketball short?
A washed short has been through a wash that softens the fabric and subtly alters its colour for a vintage look. The one from the Los Angeles Lakers features the franchise’s purple and gold in a casual version meant to be worn off the court.
How many players are on a basketball team?
Five players from each team are on the court, with unlimited substitutions. In FIBA competition, a team can have up to twelve players on the match sheet, consisting of five starters and seven substitutes.
Who invented basketball?
James Naismith, a physical education teacher of Canadian origin, invented basketball in December 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was looking for an indoor game for the winter and fixed two peach baskets to a railing.
