You’ve come to the right spot if you’re looking for great basketball team names to excite your players, teammates, and coaches.
Please note that we’ve grouped basketball team name ideas into different categories. A name you select for a youth basketball team may be very different from what one might use for an intramural team at the college level. So, scan the whole list first to find appropriate categories for your squad.
Also, remember you can use these lists as starting points. Don’t be afraid to improvise. For example, add color to a team nickname so “The Crush” becomes “The Red Crush” or “The Blue Crush.” Or, add Lady“ to a name for a girl’s or woman’s team. Shockers become “Lady Shockers,” or the Cardinals become the “Lady Cardinals.” You get the idea.
Let’s start with some fun basketball team names for youth teams.
Best Basketball Team Names For Kids’ Squads
1.) The Hot Shotz.
2.) Swish Kebabs.
3.) Hoops, I Did It Again!
4.) Basket Hounds.
5.) America Runs on Dunking.
6.) The Perfecto’s.
7.) The Orange Crush.
8.) Shooting Stars.
9.) The Rimshots.
10.) Angry Ants.
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Girls Basketball Names
11.) Pink Panthers.
12.) Lady Shockers.
13.) Net Rippers.
14.) Basketball Divas.
15.) The Crusaders.
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16.) Chicken Hoop! Or, Chicken Hoop For The Soul.
17.) Defenders.
18.) The Heat.
19.) The Shoes.
20.) The Jam.
21.) Angels.
22.) Queens of the Court.
23.) Cookies and Cream.
24.) All the Single Ladies.
25.) The Rockettes.
26.) The Doe.
27.) Lady Hot Shotz.
28.) Sugar Bees.
29.) The Leopard Skins.
30.) Wonder Girls.
31.) Fightin’ Hens.
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32.) Kool-Aid Jammers.
33.) Cougars.
34.) Lady Mustangs.
35.) Minx.
36.) The Dream Team.
37.) Sneaker Queens.
38.) Lady Divas.
39.) The Spirit.
Boys Names For Basketball Teams
Some of these selections are great for AAU basketball teams.
40.) Rise Up.
41.) Chicken Hoop and Noodles.
42.) All the King’s Men.
43.) Savage Storm.
44.) We Grind.
45.) The Fighting Bears.
46.) Legends.
47.) Last Second Shooter.
48.) Braves.
49.) Tritons.
50.) Phenoms.
51.) Wolf Pack.
52.) Elite.
53.) The Xpress.
54.) Basket Junkies.
55.) The Defenders.
56.) Falcons.
57.) United.
58.) Hoopla Heroes.
59.) The Flying Carp.
60.) Clippers.
61.) Chargers.
62.) Wonder Boys.
63.) Silverswords.
64.) Billikens.
65.) Blue Sharks.
66.) Fusion.
67.) Full Court Pressure.
Funny Basketball Team Names
68.) The Clumsy Waiters — We keep dropping treys.
69.) Swishing and Hoping.
70.) The Play It Forwards.
71.) Maybe You Guys Should Practice.
72.) Pop-a-Shot Rejects.
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73.) Sesame Street Ballerz.
74.) Lemme Find Out. (Think about the question: “Who do you play?”)
75.) Bank You Very Much.
76.” Mr. James and his Lebrontourage. (We also like James of Thrones.)
Clever Basketball Team Names
It pays to outthink the other teams when you’re looking for a good name. Try these hoop names on for size.
77.) Sweet Georgia Brown.
78.) The Brick Layers.
79.) The And Ones.
80.) Swish Kebabs.
81.) Dancing Llamas.
82.) Our Time.
83.) Furious George.
84.) Bill Russell’s Rings.
85.) Threes > Twos.
86.) Geeks in Sneaks.
87.) Dame of Thrones.
88.) One Shot Wonders.
89.) Will Imposers.
90.) Just Us.
91.) The Practice Squad Hot Shots.
92.) Atomic Elbows.
Intramural Basketball Nicknames
93.) The “Make a Swish Foundation.”
94.) Sir Dunk-a-lots!
95.) Du kaschön. (“Thank you very much” in German)
96.) Shortest NBA” layers.
97.) The Bad Boys or Big Girls Don’t Kawhi.
98.) The Swishers.
99.) Kyrie on My Wayward Son.
100.) Slam Dunk Millionaires.
101.) Better Call Gasol.
102.) Tenacious D.
103.) Jordan Rules.
104.) Cowbell Fever Fanatics.
105.) Kareem Cheese.
106.) Winning is Harden than you think.
107.) The Slam-I-Ams.
108.) The Brick Squad.
109.) Ally Oopsies.
110.) Transfer Portal Here We Come.
111.) The Russell Westbrook Revenge Tour.
Rec League Basketball Team Names
112.) Kareem and the Sky Hooks.
113.) Can’t Win at HORSE.
114.) Bye Week.
115.) The Banana Slugs.
116.) Stairway to Kevin Durant.
117.) Raiders of the Lost Arc. (Arc refers to the ball’s path after it leaves a shooter’s hands.)
118.) Gobert and Ernie.
119.) The Abusement Park.
120.) A friend in need is a friend Embiid.
121.) The Fighting Mongooses.
122.) Rebound-Shoot-Repeat.
123.) Rabid Squirrels.
124.) Every Kiss Begins with Klay Thompson.
125.) Hoopers and Scoopers.
126.) Peruvian Boot Weasels.
127.) Russian Interference.
128.) Golden Knights.
129.) The Three-pointers.
130.) Victorious Secret.
131.) Jump Shot Jack and the Impressions.
132.) Power Grangers.
133.) Dynamoes.
134.) The Magical Dragons.
135.) Magic Johnson and the Lesser Wizards.
136.) Running Rebels.
137.) Lugnuts.
138.) The Monarchs.
139.) Jedi Masters.
140.) Jumping Deer.
141.) Red Devils.
142.) Shades of Klay.
143.) The Bottle Rockets.
Unique and Creative Basketball Names
144.) Kobe Bryant and the Imperials.
145.) We Own This City.
146.) The Multiverse of Madness.
147.) Jimmy Butler did it in the Ballroom.
148.) The Scottie Tip-ins.
149.) Top Gunners and Some Mavericks.
150.) Stranger Players.
151.) The Little Fundamentals.
152.) Shawty Like a Melo-D.
153.) “Picket Fence” is Easy to Defend.
154.) One” tar and Four Scrubs.
Good Basketball Team Names
155.) Rising Suns.
156.) Gladiators.
157.) Jaguars.
158.) Shockers.
159.) Aztecs.
160.) The Freaks.
161.) Marlins.
162.) Aardvarks.
163.) Washington Generals Development Team.
164.) Grasshoppers.
165.) The Wildcats.
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166.) Golden Eagles.
167.) River Hawks.
168.) Rainbow Warriors.
169.) Red Storm.
170.) Saxons.
171.) Profs.
172.) The First Avenue Ballers.
173.) Nanooks of the North.
174.) Planet Lovetron.
175.) Fast & the Furious.
Cool Monikers
Here are some cool basketball team names that your fan base can get behind.
176.) Black Cobras.
177.) We Get Buckets.
178.) The SuperChargers.
179.) Black Knights.
180.) Bucket Patrol.
180.) The Judges (are in court).
181.) SkyForce.
182.) Flying Squirrels
183.) Prairie Wolves.
Best Nicknames
184.) The Air Ballers.
185.) Little Giants.
186.) The Diplomats.
187.) Storm Chasers.
188.) The Groove.
189.) The Shooting Coaches.
190.) Hilltoppers.
191.) Purple Pride.
192.) The Patient Zombies.
193.) Uncle Drew’s Team.
194.) Giant Gorillas.
195.) The Blossoms.
196.) Sea Lions.
Traditional Favorites
196.) Flight Time.
197.) Cream.
198.) The Crossovers.
199.) The BB’s (Basketballers).
200.) DooBB’say Devils.
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201.) Ball Stars.
202.) Dip and Dazzle.
203.) The All-Americans.
204.) The Urban Legends.
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Creative Basketball Team Names
205.) Nothing But Nets.
206.) LeBron’s Tutors.
207.) Gang Green and the Bay Area Boogie.
208.) BasketBrawlers.
209.) That’s Game!
210.) Geeks N Sneaks.
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211.) Soup-a-Stars.
212.) High-Top Hoopsters.
213.) Team Cyclops (Tall, but with a lousy shooting eye).
214.) The Caucasian Invasion.
215.) Jump Balls.
216.) The Flying Scots.
217.) Average Joes.
218.) Bricklayers and Alley-oopers (or Alley-oopsies).
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NBA Team Names
Sometimes you can draw inspiration from professional leagues. Basketball team names with a professional influence are popular but sometimes work effectively. Put your spin on the name. Make it your own.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic
219.) Boston Celtics.
220.) New Jersey Nets.
221.) New York Knicks.
222.) Philadelphia 76ers.
223.) Toronto Raptors.
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Central
224.) Chicago Bulls.
225.) Cleveland Cavaliers.
226.) Detroit Pistons.
227.) Indiana Pacers.
228.) Milwaukee Bucks.
Southeast
229.) Atlanta Hawks.
230.) Charlotte Bobcats.
231.) Miami Heat.
232.) Orlando Magic.
233.) Washington Wizards.
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Western Conference
Northwest
234.) Denver Nuggets.
235.) Minnesota Timberwolves.
236.) Oklahoma City Thunder.
237.) Portland Trail Blazers.
238.) Utah Jazz.
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Southwest
239.) Dallas Mavericks.
240.) Houston Rockets.
241.) Memphis Grizzlies.
242.) Charlotte Hornets.
243.) San Antonio Spurs.
Pacific
244.) Golden State Warriors.
245.) Los Angeles Clippers.
246.) Los Angeles Lakers.
247.) Phoenix Suns.
248.) Sacramento Kings.
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ABA Squad Names
249.) Baltimore Claws.
250.) Denver Nuggets.
251.) The Floridians.
252.) Indiana Pacers.
253.) Kentucky Colonels.
254.) New York Nets.
255.) Pittsburgh Condors.
256.) San Antonio Spurs.
257.) San Diego Sails.
258.) Spirits of St. Louis.
259.) Utah Stars.
260.) Virginia Squires.
D League Basketball Team Name
261.) Delaware 87ers.
262.) Canton Charge.
263.) Iowa Energy.
264.) Utah Flash.
265.) Tulsa 66ers.
266.) Huntsville Flight.
267.) Arkansas RimRockers.
268.) Fayetteville Patriots.
269.) Roanoke Dazzle.
270.) Austin Toros.
271.) Reno Bighorns.
272.) Dakota Wizards.
273.) Maine Red Claws.
274.) Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
275.) Texas Legends.
276.) Fort Worth Flyers.
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D League Nicknames
277.) Westchester Knicks.
278.) Albuquerque/New Mexico Thunderbirds.
279.) Idaho Stampede.
280.) Greenville Groove.
281.) Santa Cruz Warriors.
282.) Erie BayHawks.
283.) Mobile Revelers.
284.) Charleston Lowgators.
285.) Colorado 14ers. See how the Colorado 14ers’ name was derived.
286.) 14ers’us Riverdragons.
287.) Springfield Armory.
288.) Bakersfield Jam.
289.) Austin Spurs.
290.) Asheville Altitude.
291.) Anaheim Arsenal.
292.) Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
293.) Grand Rapids Drive.
294.) Sioux Falls Skyforce.
295.) Oklahoma City Blue.
296.) Los Angeles D-Fenders.
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Canada Basketball League
297.) KW Titans.
298.) Niagara River Lions.
299.) London Lightning.
300.) Windsor Express.
301.) Orangeville A’s.
302.) Cape Breton HighlandA’s.
303.) Saint John Riptide.
304.) Island Storm.
305.) Halifax Hurricanes.
306.) Moncton Miracles.
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American Basketball League
307.) Fort Lauderdale Sharks.
308.) Orlando Lightning.
309.) Pompano Beach Piranhas.
310.) Orlando Whalers.
311.) Corpus Christi Clutch.
312.) Davie Stars.
313.) Emerald Coast Knights.
314.) Heartland Eagles.
315.) Lone Star Law.
316.) Palm Beach Hurricane.
317.) Panama City Breeze.
318.) Pompano Beach Cobras.
319.) South Texas Revolution.
320.) Sugar Land Legends.
321.) Texas Surge.
322.) Twin City United.
Youth Basketball Team Name Ideas
323.) Fighting Koalas.
324.) The Right Mix.
325.) And Still Champions.
326.) Artichokes.
327.) Roaring Bearcats.
328.) The Perfect Storm.
329.) War Eagles.
330.) The Defenders.
331.) The Lumberjacks.
332.) The Miracles.
333.) The Intimidators.
334.) The Net Ragers.
335.) Alley-Oops.
336.) Rush Hour.
337.) Barnstormers.
338.) The Desperadoes
Gus Macker Team Name Ideas
339.) No Quit.
340.) The Black Bears.
341.) Net Rippers.
342.) Playground Elite.
343.) The Goon Squad.
344.) The Family.
345.) In it to win it.
346.) Fight On.
347.) iHoop.
348.) Buckets All Day.
349.) Boomshakalacka!
350.) Let the Madness begin.
351.) Ridunkulous!
352.) Nothing but net.
3 on 3 Squads
353.) Superstars 4 Hire.
354.) You’ve Got Next.
355.) Flying DYou’ven.
356.) Tarzans.
357.) Blue Rebels.
358.) Crimson Hawks.
359.) Snap, Crackle, and Pop!
360.) Three Musketeers.
Powerful Basketball Names
360.) Baseline Leaners.
361.) The Hammerheads
362.) Llamas in Pajamas.
363.) The Heatwave.
364.) Bricklayers.
365.) The Defending Champs.
366.) Three The Hard Way.
367.) Sham-Yao.
368.) The Rhythm.
369.) Showtime All-Stars.
370.) The Union.
371.) Riverhounds.
372.) Leapin’ Lizards.
373.) LeBrontourage.
374.) Kawhi Me A River.
375.) We’re Talin’ About Practice.
376.) Heat Check Specialists.
Basketball Team Names FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions on basketball team names.
Consider Chicken Hoop, Shooting Stars, Basket Hounds, Kings or Queens of the Court, or Hot Shotz for a team name.
Some good selections are Slam Dunk Millionaires, Swish Kebabs, America Runs on Dunking, and Play It Forwards.
The Clumsy Waiters (because we keep dropping treys!). Dropping a trey is basketball slang for making a three-pointer.
How Do You Pick A Good Basketball Team Name?
You may consider establishing some naming criteria to focus on the best choice for your squad. For example, examine each option in regard to:
1.) Does it reflect the makeup of your team?
2.) Does it sound good? Is it catchy?
3.) Is it easy to remember?
4.) Is it unique?
5.) Does it look good in writing?
6.) Does it lend itself well to a logo for your jersey, shirt, or pants?
The best basketball team names can be counted to check all or most of those boxes. Who gets the final call on the team name? Sometimes the name is decided on by popular vote among teammates after some discussion. Sometimes, the coach decides. Other times, a sponsor may have a say. Usually, the better names emerge, and nearly everyone immediately knows they have a winner on their hands.
The perfect name may be hard to come by, but when you find it, you’ll know.
By Mike O’Halloran
Mike has coached youth basketball for 15 years and has had three books published on youth basketball coaching.
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