It's pretty much a must have if you want to play basketball regardless of where you play. Hoops usually consist of a metal ring but really cheap ones might be plastic; if you are only playing occasionally on a driveway or patio a good quality hoop is not necessary.

Even if you are playing basketball on a budget, getting a net to attach to the bottom of the hoop is important as it allows you to more easily see whether points have been scored while also slowing down the ball as it passes through making it less likely to bounce off away from you.

Depending on where you intend to play basketball, a stand could be required in order to suspend the hoop, net and backboard 10ft off the ground. If, however you intend to connect the system to a wall such as the back or side of your house, a stand is not necessary.

Once upon a time, all pieces of basketball equipment was sold separately but to make it easier both for shops to stock items and for consumers to buy them, a complete basketball system was packaged up containing hoop (or ring), net, backboard and stand. These became popular and are a simple way to start playing basketball anywhere you choose.

This is just another name for the basketball hoop described above and is an essential piece of equipment to play the game of basketball.

Without one of these the game almost becomes netball and so a backboard to shoot off of is another must buy piece of basketball equipment.

While many people choose to play basketball in any old clothes, if you want to look the part as you compete you might want to consider investing in a good pair of basketball shoes, some shorts and a jersey to complete the basketball kit.