The amount of equipment required for the game of basketball can vary from being very basic, involving very little equipment, to being very elaborate, involving some very high-tech equipment.  The basic equipment required for a the game is a basketball and a hoop.  The game of basketball was invented by a man named Dr. James Naismith, who in the first game of basketball employed a soccer ball as the ball and a peach basket as the hoop.  From that very humble beginning, the equipment used in the game has gone from being very primitive to being very elaborate and high-tech.   Basketball equipment includes basketballs, backboards, portable basketball systems, in-ground basketball hoops, basketball court equipment, basketball training equipment and outdoor basketball poles.

Depending whether this game is played by amateurs as a pick-up game in the local park or by professional in the NBA, the equipment will be different.  For amateurs at the local park, a simple street ball and metal hoop suspend from a pole is all the equipment that is needed.  But for the high school, college and profession games, the gear must be of a specific type and meet specific standards.  For example, for the college game, the basketball itself must be made of leather of a specified weight and feel, manufactured by a specific manufacturer.  A regulatory body usually determines what particular gear will be used for the basketball being played, whether high school, college or professional.

The availability of equipment for this game is endless.  There are about a dozen or so major manufacturers of basketball equipment.  The equipment that is provided by these manufacturers range from training equipment to the specific equipment that is sanctioned by a particular regulatory body, whether for the high school, college or professional basketball game.