Bring home years of basketball fun with the Spalding Arena View residential in-ground basketball system (88369G). Constructed with a super-sturdy, one-piece four-inch square pole of 11-gauge steel and featuring a powder-coated matte black finish, this in-ground system offers unmatched stability and durability for long-term use, while taking up less space than portable counterparts. The system installs with a ground sleeve so once in place the hoop can be removed for off-season storage. Featuring the ergonomically designed U-Turn Pro lift system, it is easy to customize the rim height from seven feet for young or beginning players to the regulation height of 10 feet. The crank handle on the system can be removed to prevent tampering, and an interior safety stop prevents the board from being lowered below six feet six inches.
Built with quality play in mind, the hoop is offset from the pole by two feet so that play under the rim is not restricted. Offering a solid performance, the Authentic Arena View main court backstop has a stable H-frame mount and a 1.6-inch deep extruded aluminum frame with steel reinforcement. An integrated 4 by 2 by 72-inch lower board frame reinforcement bar further improves the overall stability.
The backboard measures a generous 60 by 38 inches (LxW), offering plenty of bank shot opportunities, and has 0.375-inch thick tempered glass sheet for superior rebounds. The Pro-Image breakaway rim with heavy-duty wrap-around support arm and steel rams and all-weather net is designed to take a pounding.
Specifications:
- One-piece, four-inch square pole of 11-gauge steel
- Powder-coated matte black finish
- Easy install/remove ground sleeve
- U-Turn Pro lift system with removable crank handle
- Adjustable height: Seven to 10 feet
- Interior safety stop
- Authentic Arena View main court backstop
- Two-foot offset
- 1.6-inch deep extruded aluminum frame with steel reinforcement
- Integrated 4 x 2 x 72-inch lower board frame reinforcement bar
- Tempered glass backboard measures: 60 by 38 inches (LxW)
- 3/8-inch thick tempered glass sheet
- Pro-Image breakaway rim with heavy-duty wraparound support and steel rams
- Heavy-duty, all-weather net
Amazon.com Basketball System Buying Guide
With the high-quality construction of many portable basketball systems, turning your driveway into a basketball court can be as simple as hooking up your garden hose. But while a portable system may ultimately be your best choice, there are reasons you may want to consider an in-ground or wall-mount system before you decide.
In-Ground Systems
In-ground systems are permanently cemented into the ground--either via a bolt mounting kit or directly into the ground--and are generally more rigid and take up less space than portables. In-ground systems often require that you hire a professional to complete the task, but when the cement dries you'll have a hoop that can take punishing dunks with ease.
Many in-ground systems are height-adjustable, include removable post features that let you take the system down for off-season storage, and feature heavy-duty break-away rims. You'll also want to research the adjustable mechanisms on the systems, as there are several types to choose from. Some feature a counter-balance spring that lets you perform easy, one-hand adjustments while others may feature a sturdy, pneumatic system.
Wall-Mount Systems
Wall-mount systems can be mounted to the side of a house, a tall retaining wall, or a garage. Generally sturdier than portables, wall-mounts have the added advantage of optimizing your existing ground space for the court, since you won't take any space up with the base or pole. Not all systems include the necessary hardware, so make certain you add a mounting kit to your list.
Portable Systems
Portable systems require minimal installation and offer ultimate convenience. These systems generally feature a base that can be filled with sand or water to stabilize them and include wheels for portability. Although they are not as sturdy as in-ground or wall-mounted hoops, portables are simple to set up and can often be folded for convenient storage.
Backboard Considerations
Regardless of which system you choose, you'll want to brush up on Backboards 101. Most residential systems feature backboards made of acrylic, fiberglass, graphite, or various other composite materials. While clear acrylic gives the professional look and feel of glass, it is not as rigid as fiberglass or graphite. Some systems may offer steel or aluminum backboards, which are virtually vandal resistant, but don't offer the true rebounding action.
The regulation size of an NBA backboard is 72 inches wide and 42 inches high. Most portable hoops are 42 or 44 inches wide and 36 inches tall. In-ground systems tend to be a bit larger, with 54-inch and 60-inch widths being the most popular. While rectangular shaped backboards provide more bank shot opportunities, they are generally more expensive than the streamlined fan-shaped board.
About Spalding
As a Division of Russell Corporation, the Spalding Group consists of three business units: Spalding in Springfield, MA; American Athletic, Inc. (AAI) in Jefferson, IA; and Huffy Sports, in Sussex, WI. The three companies, collectively combined, are now the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world. Spalding is the official basketball supplier of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the official backboard of the NBA and NCAA, the official volleyball of the King of the Beach Volleyball Tour and the official football of the Arena Football League (AFL) and Pop Warner.
