Basketball equipment might not be as bulky or obvious as a football helmet or a hockey stick, but it is just as important. 

It’s gotta be the shoes, man.
A pair of quality basketball shoes is arguably the most important thing in a basketball locker. Since about the mid-to-late 1980s, every basketball shoe in North America (and perhaps the globe) has been a high top sneaker, which is designed to provide the player with added support in the ankle area. When shopping for shoes, do your research—find out which brands have the best reputation and also which give you the best bang for your buck. Bring your playing socks and ankle brace when you go shopping. No skimping on the shoes.

Braces, you say?
Yes. Ankle braces are also extremely important and often overlooked in terms of their importance to equipping basketball players. Perhaps the most common and truly damaging injury is a serious ankle roll, which can knock even the toughest player out of action for an extended period of time. Make sure your braces are tight enough to keep the ankle in place, but not so tight that they’re turning the wearer’s toes blue. When you move up to higher competitive levels, you can take it even further—having your team’s athletic trainer wrap your ankles before each game. It’s a pain, but it beats sitting.

Socks
Buy socks made for basketball. Wearing normal, light-weight socks will lead to cuts and blisters, not to mention destroyed socks. It could also help you to dump a little talcum powder in there, to further protect your feet.

Guard that mouth, son!
Nearly every amateur league requires players to wear a mouth guard, which isn’t a bad idea if you want to keep your teeth. While a store-bought mouth guard can be effective, provided you follow the fitting/hard-boiling directions, your best bet is having a dentist fit you with a custom piece.

Goggles
Not typically required by any leagues, but worth consideration. NBA stars such as Amare Stoudemire have seen their seasons cut short by eye injuries, and players wearing contacts may want to especially consider eye protection.

The Rock Itself
You can’t play ball without the ball, can you?  Much like the sneakers, a ball’s dependability can often be gauged by the brand name you see on it. As a rule, a ball that is endorsed either by the NBA or NCAA has been endorsed for a reason. And consider where you’re going to be using it. Buy an outdoor ball for the playground.  If you’re playing in a gym, go with an indoor ball. There’s even a ball that’s a hybrid of both.