General information only, not medical advice.
Basketball is a perfect storm for knees: repeated jumping, hard landings, sudden stops and quick changes of direction. Most players deal with sore knees at some point. Here is how to look after them.
Why basketball loads the knee
- Jumping and landing repeatedly stresses the patellar tendon. Mayo Clinic says jumper's knee is most common in sports with lots of jumping, such as basketball and volleyball.
- Cutting, pivoting and stopping suddenly are common ways ligaments such as the ACL are injured. Temple Health lists basketball among the sports where sudden stopping and direction changes are a common culprit.
- Hard courts and long seasons add up over time.
Habits that help
- Warm up properly. Use a routine like our knee warm-up guide.
- Build volume gradually. Mayo Clinic notes that sudden increases in how hard or how often you play add stress to the tendon.
- Do not play through pain. Mayo Clinic specifically advises resting and icing as soon as you feel knee pain while exercising.
- Strengthen your legs. Strong thigh muscles handle load better.
- Practice landing mechanics with a coach: soft landings, knees tracking over the toes.
- Replace worn shoes.
Warning signs to take seriously
- A pop with immediate swelling
- The knee giving way or feeling unstable
- Locking or catching
- Pain below the kneecap that keeps getting worse; see runner's knee vs jumper's knee
For the full list of clues, see our knee pain location chart.
Knee sleeve or brace?
A sleeve is a light layer many players like for warmth and a secure feel. If your knee feels unstable or you are recovering from an injury, a doctor may recommend a brace instead. Read knee sleeve vs knee brace.
Bomae Adjustable Knee Compression Sleeve
The Bomae sleeve is lightweight and breathable, with a dial so you can tune the fit before tip-off.
- Adjustable dial to set the compression yourself
- Spring support system and silicone shock-absorbing pad
- Breathable knitted nylon and spandex, made for basketball, running, cycling and the gym
- Sizes M–XXL by body weight, white or black, left or right leg
- Flat $5.99 shipping, 5–9 business days total, 30-day cover for damaged, faulty or wrong items
Shop the Bomae Knee Compression Sleeve →
Educational content only. Bomae products are not medical devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any condition.