SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop Small Scale Basketball System
February 10, 2010 by Jason
Filed under Mini Basketball Hoops
- Hаѕ thе look, function & durability οf a professional-grade basketball system
- 18″ x 12″ Clear Polycarbonate Shatterproof Backboard wіth replica graphics
- 9″ Spring Action Brеаk-A-Way rim, Heavy duty 8 loop, 3 ply nylon net
- 5″ SKLZ mini Basketball included
- Easy tο assemble, includes door аnԁ 2nd wall mounting options
Product Description
Finally, a mini basketball hoop wіth thе look, function аnԁ durability οf a pro-grade basket. Indoor аnԁ over-thе-door basketball wіƖƖ never bе thе same–goodbye nerf basketball nets. Pro Mini Hoop іѕ Perfect fοr thе home, office οr dorm. Complete indoor basketball set comes wіth 5″ Mini Hoop Ball.
- Includes pro-grade, spring-action brеаk-away rim fοr slammin’.
- Easy assembly аnԁ mounting
- Foam padded side οn door mounts
- Includes 5″ diameter Mini Basketball
- 9″ diameter spring-action “brеаk-away” steel rim
- 18″ x 12″ clear polycarbonate shatter-proof backboard
- Perfect fοr thе basketball fanatics іn уουr family
bought this hoop to replace a nerf hoop for my sons. By the look of it on the box I thought it would stand up to the pounding of 2 boys(4 and 7). However when I took it out of the box I immediately noticed that the backboard was flimsy and would probably crack or separate from the rim if it got pounded too hard. So I actually reinforced it with some wood behind the backboard. Figured I was all set. Then I noticed that the rim when you dunked on it did not snap all the way back. And the final straw. The metal rim snapped when my 7 yr old dunked and hung on it for about 2 seconds. I would not recommend this unless you are an adult and you are going to be very gentle. Definitely not kid tested……
Rating: 2 / 5
Very quick delivery of the hoop. Everything is very cool looking, but I am disappointed about the thickness of the backboard. It is the polycarbonate advertised, but it is only 1/8″ thick! For this quality of a product it should have been a more rigid 1/4″. When it breaks I am building a wooden backboard and mounting the metal rim on it.
Rating: 3 / 5
My 8 year old son loved this for XMAS and it has a great WOW factor when you open the box. Its one of his two favorite presents. He wanted me to assemble it for him right then, but I ran into two problems. I didn’t have a needle on hand to inflate the ball (poor planning on my part), which is a realistic smaller sized ball that comes deflated. The bolts that are included are about a 1/4 inch too short to be able attach the hoop to the rim. The way it works is that the backboard plexiglass piece is sandwiched in between an orange metal plate that the hoop is attached to, and an another small orange metal plate that is on the back of the board. This back plate has some very rigid foam compression padding glued to it. Three machine screws are inserted through three holes through these three pieces, and then nuts are screwed onto the bolts. The problem is that I was unable to get a purchase on the bolts since they were about 1/4 an inch too short, and the only way to make them reach was to compress the foam, which I tried but couldn’t do. Basically this thing is sitting unassembled until I make a trip to Home Depot to find some longer bolts. I’m knocking off one star for that. I was surprised by how well the hoop seemed to be made – its heavy duty with a real net and large spring. The problem is that I don’t expect the backboard to stand much of a chance with the rim attached to this – the rim is identical in style and weight to a real rim, just smaller. The backboard, however, is a much thinner than expected piece of plexiglass. It is exactly 3/32 of an inch (this is less than 1/8 of an inch, 3/4 of 1/8 to be exact.) I’ll knock of another star for that. I plan to prevent this likely breakage by attaching the hoop directly to the wall (or to thicker/larger board behind the backboard). With some longer longer bolts and doing something like from the start, the backboard doesn’t need to support the rim at all. That would work really I think, and in that case the backboard would work OK. I really want this to work, but didn’t expect to have to be creative.
Rating: 3 / 5
Well, the big seller is how professional it looks, which can be a bad thing when looking for quality. I don’t find this to be a shooting hoop, but a dunking hoop. The springy rim is PERFECT for dunking but the backboard provides little bounce and the springy/flimsy rim makes it harder to make shots. The fact that it doesn’t fold is a big let down and can get in the way. This thing is NOISY! And the backboard is very flimsy and thin, and by looking at it in pictures you would expect it to be stronger, so whenever you dunk the backboard bends. I give it 4 stars, but I only paid like $6 after using a gift card I won, but would probably give it 3 if I had to pay full price.
Rating: 4 / 5
13 years! That’s how many years we have been buying, and re-buying indoor basketball hoops for our boys. Not one has lasted more than a few months – until now. This hoop has a strong backboard and a sturdy metal rim. Now, the rim is not a break-away style, and I assume if there is a lot of pressure or hanging on the rim, the plexiglass-type backboard could crack and/or break. But as long as their slam dunks do not get too out of control, this should last for a good long time. Extra bonus is the rubber padding on the back of the hoop and on the top hooks that hang on the door. No scratches on my front door and minimal black scuff marks after hours and hours of use. I would recommend this product to any “serious” indoor hoops player, especially those who keep buying the nerf-type hoops. It looks good, plays good and keeps my boys, and their friends, entertained during the winter months when it is too snowy or cold for them to use their outdoor hoop.
Rating: 5 / 5