Kids’ and Club Basketball Kit: Reversibles, Numbers and Sizing
Custom basketball kit enquiries to us are up 36% on last year, and the season is only just getting going. New players have joined since September, junior sections are filling up and some clubs are entering a second team. If you need more kit, this guide covers the three decisions that matter most: reversible or single-sided vests, how numbering works, and how to size juniors and adults so everyone’s kit fits.
It’s written for club secretaries, junior coordinators, PE departments and university teams ordering kids and adult basketball kit for the rest of the season.
The quick answer
Choose reversible vests for training, junior sections and leagues that need light and dark options; choose single-sided vests for senior match kit. Every player needs a unique number on the front and back. Size juniors on chest measurement, not age. Our basketball vests start from £20.25 (excl. VAT), reversibles from £31.25, and your first order has a minimum of just 5 items.
Ready to start?
Open the Kit Designer, pick a basketball vest and save a first design. Prefer a hand? Our in-house design team will create it for you at no extra cost.
Reversible or single-sided jerseys?
A reversible vest has two layers in two colours, usually one light and one dark. Turn it inside out and you’ve got your second kit. A single-sided vest is one colour scheme, the classic match shirt.
| Reversible vest | Single-sided vest | |
| How it works | Two layers, light on one side and dark on the other | One layer in your club design |
| Best for | Training, scrimmages, junior sections, schools, leagues that need light and dark | Senior match kit, home and away sets |
| Feel | Slightly heavier because of the double layer | Lighter and cooler |
| Price (excl. VAT) | From £31.25 | From £20.25 |
When reversibles make sense
- Training and scrimmages. Split the squad into two teams in seconds, with no bibs to hand out or wash.
- Junior sections. One vest covers both colours, so younger players only need one shirt for any fixture.
- Schools. One set works for PE lessons, inter-house games and fixtures.
- Avoiding colour clashes. If your league asks for light and dark options, a reversible gives you both.
Our view: if you’re only buying one set for a junior section, make it reversible. It covers training, fixtures and colour clashes in one shirt, and it costs less than separate home and away vests.
Reversibles can save money
A home vest, an away vest and shorts cost £57.25 per player. A reversible vest with standard shorts costs £48.00, and gives you light and dark in one shirt. For a 12-player squad, that’s £111.00 less.
Numbers: what the rules say
Numbers matter more in basketball than most sports, because officials use them to record fouls. Under the FIBA Official Basketball Rules (2024 edition), which most English competitions use, the key points are:
- Allowed numbers. Players can wear 0, 00 and any number from 1 to 99.
- No duplicates. No two players on the same team can wear the same number.
- Front and back. Numbers go on the front and back of the vest, at least 8cm high on the front and 16cm on the back, at least 2cm wide, in a colour that contrasts clearly with the vest.
- Keep logos clear. Sponsor logos and other branding must sit at least 4cm away from the numbers, so plan your sponsor placement around them.
- Home wears light. The first-named (home) team wears light shirts, preferably white, and the visiting team wears dark. Teams can swap if both agree.
Rules can differ between leagues, schools competitions and BUCS, so check with your league before you order.
Tips for numbering a squad
- Reserve numbers for new players. Leave a few numbers free in each age group so mid-season signings don’t clash.
- Keep numbers when players move up. Juniors love keeping their number from one age group to the next. Keep a simple list.
- Use one sheet. Collect names, numbers and sizes together, so nothing gets mixed up on the order form.
Sizing kids’ and adults’ basketball kit
Basketball vests are cut to sit loose enough for shooting and reaching, so sizing works a little differently from a football shirt. Read our Size Guide for more information.
Kids’ basketball kit
- Measure chest, not age. Two ten-year-olds can be two sizes apart. Measure each player’s chest and check it against our size guide.
- Size up for growth, but only one size. A little room means the kit lasts a full season. Too much and vests catch on hands and arms when shooting.
- Check shorts length. Junior shorts should sit at or just above the knee, so they don’t get in the way when running.
- Order a few spares. Junior sections grow mid-season. Two or three spare vests in common sizes saves a reorder for one new player.
Adult kit
- Women’s fits. All our basketball kit is available in women’s fits as well as men’s, so every player gets kit that fits properly.
- Vest length. Taller players often prefer a longer vest that stays tucked in. Mention it to our team when you order.
- Use a size set. If you’re kitting out a full club, trying sizes on at a training session is the safest way to get it right first time.
Basketball kit prices
Here’s our current basketball range. You’ll find every item on our custom basketball jerseys page. Every price includes the design work, whether you use our Kit Designer or our in-house design team.
| Basketball item | Excl. VAT | Incl. VAT |
| Basketball Vest (sublimated) | £20.25 | £24.30 |
| Basketball Shorts (sublimated) | £16.75 | £20.10 |
| Basketball Reversible Vest (sublimated) | £31.25 | £37.50 |
| Basketball Reversible Shorts (sublimated) | £27.00 | £32.40 |
| Recycled Basketball Vest (sublimated) | £22.50 | £27.00 |
| Recycled Basketball Shorts (sublimated) | £18.25 | £21.90 |
| Recycled Basketball Reversible Vest (sublimated) | £35.00 | £42.00 |
| Recycled Basketball Reversible Shorts (sublimated) | £30.00 | £36.00 |
Example: a 12-player squad
| Option | Per player (excl. VAT) | 12 players (excl. VAT) |
| Vest and shorts | £37.00 | £444.00 (£532.80 incl. VAT) |
| Reversible vest and standard shorts | £48.00 | £576.00 (£691.20 incl. VAT) |
| Home vest, away vest and shorts | £57.25 | £687.00 (£824.40 incl. VAT) |
Your club badge, sponsor logos, and player names and numbers are included in the price. Our kit is sublimated, so your design is dyed into the fabric and won’t crack or peel, however many games it plays.
Don’t forget warm-up and travel kit
Match vests are only part of the picture. Warm-up tops and hoodies keep players warm between quarters and make the whole squad look the part on the way to games. You’ll find training tops, hoodies and tracksuit bottoms in our training wear range, all made in your club design.
How to order
- Design your kit. Use our Kit Designer to choose a basketball vest and shorts, set your colours and add your crest and sponsors. Or ask our in-house design team to create it for you, at no extra cost.
- Approve your proof. Check colours, logos and spellings before you sign off.
- Add sizes, names and numbers. Use one sheet for the whole squad.
- Receive your kit. Allow around 5 to 6 weeks from design approval and full payment.
Your first order has a minimum of 5 items. After that, there’s no minimum, so adding one new player mid-season is easy. Want parents to order for themselves? Ask us about a club shop, where they can order and pay online.
Planning next season’s full kit-out? Read our guide to what clubs get wrong before they order basketball kit.
Basketball kit FAQs
Are reversible basketball jerseys worth it?
For training, junior sections and schools, usually yes. One reversible vest gives you light and dark colours, so you don’t need bibs or a second set. For senior match kit, many clubs prefer a lighter single-sided vest.
What numbers can basketball players wear?
Under FIBA rules, players can wear 0, 00 and 1 to 99, with no two players on a team wearing the same number. Numbers must be at least 16cm high on the back and 8cm on the front. Check your league’s rules before ordering, as some competitions differ.
How should kids’ basketball kit fit?
Measure each child’s chest and use our size guide. Size up by one size at most for growth, so vests don’t catch when shooting, and make sure shorts sit at or just above the knee.
What’s the minimum order for basketball kit?
Your first order needs a minimum of 5 items. After that there’s no minimum, so you can add new players whenever you need to.
Do you make women’s and junior basketball kit?
Yes. All our basketball kit comes in men’s, women’s and junior sizes and fits, so every team at your club can wear the same design.
Kit out your whole squad
New players, a new team or a whole club refresh: we’ll help you get it right first time. Start in our Kit Designer, or talk to our design team about your squad.