In terms of consuming basketball content, particularly the type of content that will actually make you better at the game, Youtube is where it’s at. So here I’ve compiled some of the best basketball Youtube channels available, for your viewing enjoyment.
I’ve taken all of my favorite basketball Youtube channels and organized them into helpful categories so you can quickly find what you’re looking for and start bingeing.
Skills Development Basketball Youtube channels
Yeah, I’m a nerd. I didn’t learn how to play basketball on the streets, I learned from watching Youtube videos over and over. This stuff is where I got absolutely all of my moves. I’ve used these to tweak my shot form, my ball handling, my defense, you name it. And I’m not great, but I am much better than I was.
Shot Mechanics
This is one of the first channels I found when I really started playing basketball, a few years back. And it’s still one of my favorite basketball Youtube channels. I was going to the local court now and then, just trying to figure out how to do it. I needed some solid primers on all of the basic skills.
Shot Mechanics delivers in the basic skills department.
And I’d say I got about half of my personal shooting technique from this Youtube channel. The other half is a combo of deep independent research with a little firearms training knowledge built in.
Pure Sweat Basketball
Drew Hanlen is basically a skills consultant. He works with some fo the best basketball players on the planet to push their development beyond.
This channel covers all kinds of stuff, but mostly player development. There are over 600 videos here to help you grind away all of the rough surfaces of your game, from angle selection, to your weak hand,
Get Handles
A little hoakey, but this channel is dead focused on handles. Mountains of video to sort through on drilling and fine tuning your moves. Use this channel if you’re trying to get shifty.
Strategy Basketball Youtube Channels
Binge on videos that reveal the game behind the game. this is one of the best ways to build your understanding of basketball. And when you start to see beyond the bombastic plays and into the chess moves on the court, that’s when this game really gets interesting.
By the way, if you’re interested in strategy, podcasts are actually a great resource as well. Without
HoopVision68
This channel jumps around on topics a bit. But the overall focus is understanding the game. And maybe even understanding the game behind the game.
You can find breakdowns on anything from offensive strategies, to the evolution of the game, to spotlights on specific players and the techniques they use to succeed. 150 videos and counting, and each one going deeper than you could’ve imagined into a fascinating and often obscure basketball topic.
Half Court Hoops
Well over 200 videos covering strategy and subtle analysis. This channel offers unique takes and thorough descriptions of some very intricate concepts. I discovered this channel when it was mentioned on the DNVR podcast, which I listen to regularly.
Basketball Coach Allen
There are plenty of Youtube channels putting out descriptions and guides for every play imaginable.
Coach Allen does a solid job. We cut between discussion and diagramming fluidly. Allen seems to have coached a lot of youth basketball. He outlines some intricate concepts in an understandable way.
Thinking Basketball
Less focus on specific strategies and more focus on absorbing game movements. This channel is really cool if you want to expand your vision of the game. Find nearly 200 videos breaking down the decisions of players, coaches, and teams across series’ and seasons and analyzing the evolution of the game.
FIBA The Basketball Channel
This channel has a ton of detailed coaching guides. I’ve seen some coaches refer to the FIBA basketball fundamentals playlist as one of the greatest resources in coaching today.
Highlights Basketball Youtube Channels
You want to know what’s going on, right?
Like, for instance, if you’re lucky enough to be a Nuggets fan and you can’t watch the games unless you go to the arena. Or, you know, you’re just too busy to watch 2 hours of basketball. Then you need some other way to keep up with your team.
And come on, sometimes the highlights are the only thing worth watching…
NBA
Considering that the NBA owns the rights to most or probably technically all of the footage from the events it organizes, you’re probably turning to the official NBA channel for most of your highlights.
They also offer some classic games, which can be kinda nice. And live scoreboards for a lot of games. So if you can’t get the game, you can at least get the score I guess 🤷.
Wilt Chamberlain Archive
Old clips of Wilt, sure, and those are incredible. But this channel also features archival clips from some other titans of basketball. This is one of the best basketball youtube channels to just put on and let it roll while you’re doing something else. You’re absolutely going to see something from the 70’s here that just makes your jaw drop.
Basketball Time Machine
Another awesome source for old school highlights. This channel goes way back into the depths of NBA history with clips and commentary covering the greats, some you maybe haven’t even heard of young one.
FreeDawkins
This guy has just been consistently putting out solid game highlights for a long time and plenty of fans insist he upped the level of the entire highlight game back in the day. These days though, there are some good reels, but nothing to write home about really.
70sFan
Some really cool stuff from the 70’s. I don’t even know what else to say. This is probably the best collection of 70’s NBA footage out there.
Basketball VHS Archive
If you’re looking for some Euro stuff, this is a solid resource. A bunch of FIBA videos and Eurobasket and olympics games, particularly Greek basketball.
LamarMatic
A ton of short highlight videos. But this stuff gets obscure. You can find all kinds of interesting players from the nineties in this stack.
Kicks
What do shoes have to do with basketball?
Uhhh… Everything yo.
So let’s check out some of the best basketball shoe youtube channels. This includes channels featuring comprehensive footwear reviews, as well as those focused more on ‘sneakerhead’ culture, nerding out on the background of various models and brands.
Foot Doctor Zach
A podiatrist turned Youtuber rips apart basketball shoes and discusses their features from an anatomical perspective. A cool way to absorb the why and how of athletic footwear.
Sick Moves
I recently got into this genre. I didn’t even really know it existed.
The idea is you just let sick basketball moves percolate your subconscious on a loop.
These videos are great if you’re playing more 1-on-1. Just watch some moves over and over and think about how you can get the ball to the rim more efficiently.
Coach Frikki
Buckets of beta.
I feel a little smarter if I watch this channel for awhile. Too long and I feel like I’m not gonna remember any of it. But the right amount of time and I’ve got ten new moves to play with on the court tomorrow.
The Ball Game
Mostly practice footage of NBA players. Some really cool stuff in here. You’re probably not going to be doing any of it, but it’s still cool to watch.
Main feature on this channel is highlight reels for iconic players. You can find hours of footage, sometimes grainy and bad, but still footage, of the best hoopers of all time going up against each other.
Most of these are not NBA clips, as that would present a copyright issue. Instead, they source clips from special events. In addition to famous hoopers, you can find clips of high school and college and street players.
Takeaways
These are the best basketball Youtube channels out there. Find your genre and crank through some clips. The channels I’ve covered here will absolutely make you a better basketball player. Maybe not as much as getting out and hoopin’, but you gotta have recover days, so make the best of them.
By the way, if you’re looking for digital basketball content, podcasts aren’t too far behind Youtube in terms of helpfulness. If you can’t find the time for a Youtube binge, check out my list of the best basketball podcasts.
Also, feel free to reach out if you want to share a basketball Youtube channel that you’ve found particularly helpful.