In Ground Hoops

The best in-ground basketball hoop is the one sized to your space and built for how long your family will play. For most families, that's the PROview series: 1/2-inch tempered glass, a 7-gauge hot-dip galvanized steel pole and Spring Assist height adjustment that starts at 6 feet, so young kids can grow into it. If your players already shoot at 7.5 feet or higher and your space is tighter, the PROforce series gives you a true glass in ground basketball goal for less.

Backboard Size: 54, 60 or 72 Inches

Match the board to the space you have. A 54-inch backboard suits compact spaces, smaller driveways and younger players. The 60-inch board is the in-between size and a popular middle choice for many Chicagoland driveways. The 72 x 42-inch board is regulation size and fits 2+ car garages, big driveways and backyard courts.

Also look at overhang, the distance from the front of the pole to the backboard. More overhang gives players more room under the basket but needs more space. If you're shopping for the best in ground basketball hoop for a driveway on the narrow side, a 54- or 60-inch board is usually the place to start. Chicago homes with no driveway, just an alley and a garage, are better suited to our wall-mount basketball hoops.

Tempered Glass vs Aluminum Backboards

Tempered glass gives the truest rebound. It's what you see in high school, college and pro arenas, so shots come off it the way players expect. Thickness matters: PROview boards use 1/2-inch tempered glass, while PROforce boards use 3/8-inch glass.

If durability matters more to you than a glass look, the PROview 672 also comes with a perforated, shatterproof aluminum backboard in the same 72 x 42-inch size. Acrylic and polycarbonate boards, common on portable hoops, are lighter and cheaper but don't rebound like glass.

Pole Strength, Overhang and Adjustable Height

Quality in-ground hoops start with a durable steel pole and high-grade hardware, because the pole is what keeps the hoop steady. A lower steel gauge means thicker steel. PROview poles are 7-gauge and hot-dip galvanized; PROforce poles are 11-gauge, with a zinc-plated finish on the PROforce 660. Overhang differs by series too: 2.5 feet on PROforce, and 3 or 4 feet on PROview.

Height range is where an in ground adjustable basketball goal earns its keep. PROview hoops adjust from 6 to 10 feet with Spring Assist, which is exclusive to the PROview series and makes raising and lowering the rim easier. PROforce hoops adjust from 7.5 to 10 feet. That's the advantage of an adjustable in-ground hoop: a lower starting height lets it grow with your kids as their skills develop, from first shots to a full 10-foot rim. Our guide to basketball hoop height by age can help you set it.

Why Choose a Permanent Hoop Over a Portable

A permanent basketball hoop is set in concrete, which steadies the entire hoop: there's no plastic base to fill with water or sand or to tip over, no sloshing after a dunk, and far less shake after a hard shot. With no bulky base, it takes up less space on the driveway. The rebound is truer, the hoop adds curb appeal instead of looking parked on the drive, and it stays up all year. It's also easier to add accessories like pole padding or a driveway containment net.

Portable hoops still make sense for renters or anyone who can't set a pole. If that's you, our portable basketball hoop buyer's guide covers what to look for. For families planning to play for years, an in-ground basketball system is the better long-term pick.

Built for Chicago Winters

An in-ground hoop stays out all year, so the pole finish matters. PROview poles are hot-dip galvanized, meaning the entire pole is dipped in molten zinc for rust protection, and the PROforce 660 pole is zinc-plated. A little seasonal care goes a long way: check the net and padding each spring, replace a worn net before it frays, brush heavy snow off the backboard, and keep snowblowers and plows clear of the pole and pad.

Full-Service In-Ground Hoop Installation Across Chicagoland

Every hoop on this page is sold with professional installation and backed by our family-owned team. Setting an in-ground hoop involves digging and concrete work, so it's a job for a pro crew. You pick the hoop, and our crew handles the install, whether it goes at the end of the driveway, in front of the house or on a backyard court. We install across Chicagoland and the North Shore, including Northbrook, Glenview, Highland Park, Winnetka, Lake Forest and Barrington. Learn more about our in-ground basketball hoop installation, or visit our showroom at 3177 MacArthur Blvd in Northbrook to see the hoops before you choose.

PROview vs PROforce: Which Series Fits Your Family?

PROforce series (PROforce 554, PROforce 660): 3/8-inch tempered glass, an 11-gauge steel pole (zinc-plated on the 660), a 2.5-foot overhang and a 7.5 to 10-foot height range. A great-value glass backboard for tighter spaces and players who already shoot at 7.5 feet.

PROview series (PROview 554, PROview 660, PROview 672 and PROview 672 Aluminum): 1/2-inch tempered glass (or perforated aluminum on the 672 Aluminum), a 7-gauge hot-dip galvanized pole, 3- or 4-foot overhang and a 6 to 10-foot height range with Spring Assist. It's the premier in-ground residential hoop in Chicagoland, and the inground basketball goal we point most families with young kids toward. Read why the PROview series leads the pack.