Basketball players can be injured by hard hits to the knee. A knee brace can help them recover faster. Players undergoing rehab or those with a history of knee joint injury may want a knee brace to prevent injuring themselves again. You might be wondering what sort of braces are good for your knees to protect from the injuries that you already had or prevent from one while you are playing basketball.

The best knee braces for basketball should provide knee supports,  made of soft material so that they can be lightweight, fit perfectly and be comfortable when playing basketball. I made research according to its popularity, durability, user opinion, and more. Here are some best knee braces for basketball that will help to protect your knee from injuries and give you the best result.

Bauerfeind GenuTrain S

The Bauerfeind Genutrain S is the most recommended best knee brace for basketball because it is lightweight, comfortable, and fits perfectly. It is an approved company by NBA for knee braces and I have found out that many basketball players prefer this product.

The brace is lightweight breathable, moisture-wicking, and has a good amount of durability. This brace also works as compression sleeves that stabilize and decrease swelling to your knee joint. This brace has special gel technology which activates the muscle tissue and stimulates blood circulation. 

This knee brace compression sleeve is medical-grade that reduces pain, swelling, and muscle fatigue by using its adjustable strap and sidebars to maintain good mobility to the knee joint. 

The braces are used to treat and prevent advanced arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, bone-on-bone arthritis, Medial collateral ligament sprains (MCL), lateral collateral ligament sprains (LCL), knee sprain, moderate knee instability, and advanced meniscus tear. 

• Brand: Bauerfeind
• Material: Knit
• Size: 1 to 4 
• Weight: 16 ounces
• Closure: Straps, slip on

Pure Support

The Pure Support is the latest knee compression sleeve brace on the market. Like other braces, this knee compression sleeve also supports joint pain while playing basketball. It is also the lightest brace and fits perfectly around the due to its special knitted technical design.

Pure Support braces compression gives support for muscle endurance when you are in action. It has a double strap for better knee support and keeping the brace in the same place while you are playing basketball.

This brace is not only for the injury but also improves blood circulation, supports Meniscus Tear, Arthritis, and Patella.

• Brand: Pure Support
• Material: Spandex, Nylon, Latex Fiber
• Size: S | M | L | XL | XXL 
• Weight: 3.84 ounces
• Closure: Straps, Slip-on 

DonJoy

DonJoy knee braces are also a nice choice because of their comfort and support. These braces are specially made for the sportsperson to protect from lateral forces when jumping, cutting, or running while on or off the court. These braces can also be worn by those who already 

Its unique shaped patella opening provides support and stability when the knee goes through flexion and extension while articulating more freely. It helps protect your ligament and sprain your knees while you are playing basketball.

The product is also recommended for those who already have ligament and tendon strains, hyperextension, meniscus injuries, and paella support.  

• Brand : DonJoy Performance
• Material: Neoprene
• Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Size :  S | M | L | XL
• Closure: Straps

TechWare Pro

I can honestly tell you that this product is also the best match for your basketball game. If you want to get rid of or prevent knee injuries, pain, and extra support then this product is also one of the best braces ever with its low profile.

The bidirectional low profile design braces have three strap system which provides compression on both sides of the knee equally for better healing and injury prevention.

It also features good padding around the knee cap area that provides additional lateral support and allows good mobility while running, jumping, and cutting in the court. TechWare pro braces are made up of breathable moisture material which also has anti-slip silicone strips and lightweight.

The braces give you superior support and nice adjustability and perfect fit according to your sizes which come from medium to XXL. 

The product also helps to relieve meniscus, arthritis and tendonitis, ACL, LCL, MCL tears, and other minor injuries. 

• Brand: TechWare Pro

• Material: Neoprene
• Size : M | L | XL | XXL
• Weight: 10.56 ounces
• Closure: Strap

Nvorliy Plus Size

 If you are overweight and need a supportive brace, Nvorliy Brace is the right pick for you. This brace is designed with six flexible metal springs to support the medial and lateral ligaments when running, jumping, or cutting while playing basketball.

Nvorliy knee braces use an EVA pad that helps in relieving the shock and dispersing the patella pressure. It also has no-slip silicone stripes to ensure that the brace stays in the same place when you are running and jumping. This Knee brace is breathable and has strong adjustable straps so that you can tighten your knee according to your compression need. 

Like other knee braces, it also helps in recovery and relieves from Inflammation, Swelling, Arthritis, knee surgery, Meniscus Tear, ACL, MCL, LCL, Tendonitis

Make sure you choose the right size when you buy this product. The sizes comes in  (XL/2XL: 18″-22″, 3XL/4XL: 22″-26″, 5XL/6XL: 26″-30″, 7XL/8XL: 30″-34″)

• Brand: Nvorliy Knee Braces
• Material: Neoprene
• Size: XL to 8X 
• Weight: 2 ounces
• Closure: Straps  

What should you get? Knee Brace, Knee Pad, or Knee Sleeve

All of these products have different roles and you need to know for what purpose it is used if you want to protect your knee in proper way. 

Knee Brace

Knee braces are used to increase the stability of your knees and provide the anterior knee and patella with external support and help to increase the knee stability. Knee braces are also used for the recovery process. If you have an injury to your MCL, ACL, LCL, etc then you need a knee brace to prevent your knee joint. It is better if you consult with your doctor before wearing a knee brace. 

Knee Sleeves

Knee sleeves are used for a speedy recovery and reducing pain. They help in increasing the blood flow and help in recovery after your game. Another reason to wear a knee sleeve is to improve the ability to sense movement and action. Knee sleeves are made up of flexible materials like Neoprene, polyester, cotton, nylon, and spandex for their elastic and moisture-wicking properties.

Note: Knee Sleeves are not enough to prevent and protect your knees. If you have gone through the injuries like ACL, MCL, LCL tear gets knee braces or consult with your doctor.

Knee Pads

Knee pads are used to protect your knees from banging your knee on the floor or with the opponent when you are in the action. A lot of NBA players are seen using knee pads to protect their knees from sudden accidents while playing basketball.  Knee pads don’t prevent damage to the ligaments and tendons or recover other knee injuries. 

What to look for when you buy Knee Brace? 

There are lots of braces in the market. Before buying the brace make sure what sort of protection your knee needs besides this most braces should have common features

Support

The purpose of wearing a knee brace is to have proper support. It should properly hold the knee in right place and support your injured knee part. It should prevent your knee from twisting or bending in the wrong direction. So always choose the right brace that supports your knee. 

Mobility and Comfort

Some braces don’t and comfort and enough mobility. There are different types of knee braces for basketball players which feature nice mobility and comfort. Always choose those braces which have lightweight, breathable, and flexible material.

Durability

Basketball is the fastest game in sport. When you do a lot of movement in the court, you always need durable knee braces. You don’t want your knee braces to tear off or get loose when you are playing. So always look for those braces which can go longer, has a good stitch, and don’t get damaged when you wash them. 

Size

It may be tricky when finding the right size of knee brace. Different product has different sizes so don’t only depend upon the international sizes. Take individual measurements of your knee and compare them to the given chart. Improper size may cause you problems in compression or don’t support your knee properly when playing basketball.