What Size NBA Jersey Should You Buy? Size Guide & Chart

Now that NBA season is back, I want to share with you my personal NBA jersey size experience. I’ve been a huge NBA fan for the past 10 years and have always wanted to get a jersey of my favorite player, LeBron James.

But it’s difficult to tell what size NBA Jersey would be best for me because there are so many various sorts of jerseys available in different sizes! How do you feel? Should I purchase a medium or large? Let me now explain how to resolve this issue.

What are NBA Jerseys?

NBA jerseys are professional basketball apparel designed for NBA athletes to wear during games. They typically have a logo of the NBA team that they play on or their own personal number and name stitched into them.

The history behind NBA jerseys is that NBA players were once required to wear a standardized basketball jersey, which was white with thin blue and red vertical lines. Eventually, it evolved into the modern NBA Jersey we know today.

Now there are many types of NBA jerseys including authentic NBA jerseys, replica NBA Jerseys, swingman NBA jerseys, vintage NBA jerseys etc… depending on how much you want to spend!

If you’re interested in what size fits me best I personally go for an Authentic or Swingman sized jersey because they fit well but make sure you check out this blog post first!!

Official Jersey Provider for the NBA

Nike has been the official NBA jersey provider since 2017, replacing Adidas. NBA jerseys are now made from a material called NikeConnect technology, which is basically just a piece of fabric that contains an NFC tag with the NBA jersey logo on it.

As part of the eight-year agreement, Nike will give all 30 NBA teams with on-court uniforms, including jerseys, shorts, and warm-up clothing, as well as off-court clothing like t-shirts, hoodies, and jackets.

In close collaboration with the NBA, Nike developed a new uniform system that honors the league’s rich heritage and culture while incorporating the most recent advancements in clothing innovation and technology. The new jerseys have a thin, breathable fabric and Nike’s Dri-FIT technology, which helps players stay dry and comfortable on the court by wicking away sweat.

Nike has also recently introduced “the first-ever NBA Connected Jersey”, where you can download exclusive NBA highlights and rookie league content to your phone using NFC through their app! Pretty cool right?

The partnership also includes the production of fan merchandise, which is available for purchase on the NBA’s official online store and at authorized retailers.

How to Take Measurements?

Now comes the question of how to take measurements for your NBA jersey size. Well, let me tell you there are a few easy ways!

Chest

A critical step in selecting the proper shirt size is measuring your chest. Here is how you do it:

1. Just beneath your armpits, wrap a measuring tape over your chest.
2. Verify that the tape is snug but not overly so. It should be snug on your skin without constricting your chest.
3. The measurement where the tape overlaps should be noted. Keep the tape straight and level as it crosses your back.

Once you know your chest size, use the sizing guide for the jersey you’re considering to determine which size will fit you the best. Always check the sizing chart you’re considering because different jerseys may have different sizing. In general, it’s preferable to size larger if you’re in doubt about the fit.

Torso

Another crucial step in selecting the proper shirt size is measuring the length of your torso. Here is how you do it:

1. With your arms by your sides, stand erect.
2. Use a mirror to properly view the measuring tape, or ask a friend or family member to assist you in taking the measurements.
3. Take a measurement from the top of your spine, at the base of your neck, to the bottom of your torso (just above the hip bones).

Be sure you are not hunching your shoulders or leaning forward or backward, and that the measuring tape is straight and level with the ground. After you know how long your torso is, use the sizing guide for the jersey you’re considering to determine which size will fit you the best.

Other NBA Jerseys

You can take measurement from other NBA jerseys you already own! It’s very easy and all you need to do is take a tape measure and either lay it flat or hold one end with your hand. Then just follow the NBA jersey sizing chart that we have at the end of this blog.

If you follow all these simple steps on how NBA jersey sizing works for both types of jerseys, I’m sure that not only will you find the perfect fit but also beat out every competition at being an NBA fan!

What Jersey Fit do You Prefer?

First off, NBA jerseys come in different fits. There are the classic/authentic fit NBA jersey and the replica NBA jersey. The classic/authentic NBA Jersey has a more baggy look than that of the NBA replica which tends to be tighter fitting.

So if you want that loose LeBron James kind of feel then go with a medium or large for either one! On the other hand, if you’re looking for something fitted but not too tight then I’d recommend getting something on the smaller scale from either type because they’ll have less material and will give it a slimmer look!

Tight

Replica NBA jerseys tend to be tighter fitting than classic/authentic NBA jerseys. This also means that the material is less so it’s pretty much like wearing an Under Armour shirt but with more style! Trust me, if you want people around you asking where did you get this jersey from or saying “I need one of them”, then go for NBA replicas!

Tighter NBA Jerseys will always beat out looser ones when it comes down to who looks better in what type of jersey.

Loose and Baggy

If you’re looking to buy NBA jerseys that are looser or baggy, then go with NBA classics/authentics! They have much more material than NBA replica NBA jerseys. Not only do they look pretty cool but it’s great because if it gets really cold out but you still want to wear your jersey without a jacket over top of it, this is the type you’ll be able to pull off. There’s nothing better than being comfortable and stylish at the same time so classic/authentic NBA jerseys are for sure what I’d recommend!

NBA Jersey Size Chart

Nike Authentic	S	M	L	XL	XXL	3XL
Numeric Size	40	44	48	52	56	58
Chest (inches)	35-37.5	37.5-41	41-44	44-48.5	48.5-53.5	53.5-58
Length (inches)	29.2	30.6	31.3	32.1	32.9	33.3
Adidas Replica	S	M	L	XL	XXL	3XL	4XL
Numeric Size	40	44	48	52	56	58	64
Chest (inches)	40	44	48	52	56	58	64
Front Length (inches)	31	32	33	34	35	36	37
Back Length (inches)	31	32	33	34	35	36	37
Adidas Authentic	S	M	L	XL	XXL	3XL	4XL	5XL
Numeric Size	44	46	48	50	52	54	56	58
Chest (inches)	40.4	42.4	44.4	46.4	48.4	51.4	54.4	58.4
Front Length (inches)	36.4	37.2	37.9	38.7	39.4	40.2	42.9	43.7
Back Length (inches)	38.4	39.2	39.9	40.7	41.4	42.2	44.9	45.7
Adidas Swingman	S	M	L	XL	XXL	3XL	4XL	5XL
Numeric Size	41	44	47	50	53	56	59	62
Chest (inches)	41	44	47	50	53	56	59	62
Front Length (inches)	31.75	32.875	34	35.125	36.25	39.375	40.5	41.625
Back Length (inches)	33.25	34.875	36	37.125	38.25	39.375	40.5	41.625
Mitchell & Ness Authentic	S	M	L	XL	XXL	3XL	4XL	5XL
Numeric Size	36	40	44	48	52	56	60	64
Chest (inches)	37-39	41-43	45-47	49-51	53-55	57-59	61-63	65-67
Length (inches)	29.5-30.5	30.5-31.5	31.5-32.5	32.5-33.5	33.5-34.5	34.5-35.5	35.5-36.5	36.5-37.5

Other Factors to Consider

Other factors like stitching and material also affect NBA jersey sizing. NBA replica NBA jerseys have a different material and stitching pattern than NBA classics/authentics which means it’s going to feel slightly different even though the actual NBA jersey size is the same!

With classic/authentic NBA jerseys, I’d recommend getting an official NBA Jersey from either Adidas or Nike because they make some of the best quality materials out there for sports apparel in general. On top of that if you buy them from these two brands then you know it will fit just right without having any problems with tearing or anything like that during playtime!

Avoid Knockoffs!

For NBA replicas, on the other hand, go with whichever one fits your budget better but definitely avoid cheap knockoffs since sometimes those can be made very poorly where not only does it look bad but also could fall apart during playtime.

Final Factors for choosing jersey size

It’s important to bear in mind that NBA jerseys are made to fit differently than other types of clothing when deciding on the proper size. NBA jerseys should be loosely fitting so that players may move freely on the court. The following advice will help you select the proper NBA jersey size:

1. Use a size chart: The majority of online shops that sell NBA jerseys have a size chart that displays the appropriate measurements for each size. The optimum size for you can be determined by taking your own measurements and comparing them to the sizing chart. To determine your exact size, it’s critical to measure your chest, waist, and hips.
2. Consider the FIT: As previously said, NBA jerseys are made to fit loosely. Take this into consideration. Yet some individuals might like a more fitting or tighter appearance. If that applies to you, you might choose to size down from your usual size. Please remember that the jersey might not fit as well and that it might limit your mobility.
3. Consider layering: You might want to size bigger if you intend to wear your jersey over a shirt or sweatshirt to make sure it fits comfortably. A somewhat roomier jersey is preferable to an uncomfortable, too-tight one.
4. Check the style: Verify the type of the jersey because different NBA jersey styles may fit differently. For instance, a swingman jersey is a copy of the jerseys worn by players while an authentic jersey is made to look exactly like what the players wear. Authentic jerseys are more fitting and streamlined, whereas swingman jerseys are often looser and more comfortable. Check the sizing guidelines for the particular jersey style you’re interested in.
5. Try it on: If at all possible, do so before buying the jersey. This is crucial if you’re unsure of the fit or in between sizes. If you can, take advantage of the fact that most sporting goods stores will have NBA jerseys accessible for you to try on.

The best way to get the correct size for an NBA jersey is to take your measurements, think about your preferred fit and layering, look at the jersey’s style, and, if you can, try it on. You ought to be able to choose your ideal NBA jersey size by keeping these things in mind.

Conclusion

Any NBA fan would be glad to answer all of your questions so don’t hesitate to leave any comments below, if you have any more NBA jersey sizing questions! NBA jerseys are great for not only representing your favorite NBA player but also makes a perfect addition to dresser drawers, living room couches and even the floor when it comes down to feeling like an NBA star yourself!

I hope this blog post gives you a better understanding of how NBA jersey sizing works. I’ll be happy to answer any questions or comments below in the section provided! Thanks for reading my article and go Lakers!!