At the high school level, basketball is the number one sport, according to the NFHS, with more than 17,000 schools fielding teams — that adds up to more than 910,000 teenagers.

At the cash register, basketball is big business. According to the SFIA, wholesale sales of basketball equipment, footwear and apparel are roughly $2.16 billion.

With that much buying power in their hands, Team Insight reached out to young basketball players to get their opinions on their hoops stuff. The result is a blueprint for team dealers and their vendors to follow if they want to continue to tap into this lucrative market. Read on. You might be surprised at what your customers want.

Aubry Eackles-Perine Talks Hoops

Aubry, 17, is a member of the TNBA Houston 17U girls’ travel basketball team from Houston, TX. This fall, she will be a senior at Klein Collins High School in Spring, TX.

Ball talk: “I like to use Wilson and Baden basketballs. The texture of both brands is comforting and I just love the sound they make through the hoop.”

Shoe preference: “I look for color. It has to pop when I see it. Highlighter shoes catch my eye first and I need a basketball shoe with strong ankle support.”

Favorite shoe: “The Nike Kyrie 5 Sponge Bob Patrick.”          

Buying power: “My school makes all of the buying decisions.”

Cool brands: “For working out off the court, cool is Skecher’s Women’s Uno brand shoes. For slides and clothes, Nike and Under Armour are my go-to brands because of their longevity. Nike is still a cool brand and it continues to get better and better.”

Sock preference: “I prefer both white and black Nike socks. They complement any shoe and have a nice tight fit.”

Who pays: “My mother and Auntie Lola pay for my basketball gear. They are just as invested in my basketball career and image as I am.”

Horror stories:  “I washed my white jersey in my freshman year of high school and it was blue for the rest of the season. It was a lesson learned indeed.”

Brielle George Talks Hoops

Brielle is a member of the 11th grade Wellington Wolves travel team from Wellington, FL. This fall, she will be a senior at The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach, FL.

Ball talk …“I really like the Wilson brand because almost every school (in Florida) uses it and I’ve just grown accustomed to it. The consistency and reliability of Wilson basketballs make them perfect for games and their excellent grip and feel give me confidence on the court.”

Shoe preference: “One of the most debated topics on my high school team this year was the team shoes. We all look for different things in shoes. While color is an important factor for me, I also prioritize good ankle support, wider toe space and great grip. I don’t want to be caught slipping on the court. It’s crucial to find shoes that offer excellent quality and can last through a tough season.”

Favorite shoe: “A black and pink pair of Nike Elevate 3s that I wore during my sophomore and junior seasons. They had fantastic support, my feet never felt cramped and I didn’t have to constantly tie them. Unfortunately, I wore them until they were threadbare, which broke my heart because they were perfect.”

Purchasing power: “I do have input into what we wear. My teammates and I get to share our opinions, especially when it comes to shoes. For example, my high school team and I picked out our purple Sabrinas for the season, which literally took us months to decide on. We started looking in August and finally agreed in November. My AAU (travel) coach makes it easier by showing us pictures of shoes, simplifying the decision process.”

Brand preferences: “My high school is an Under Armour school, while my AAU team is a Nike team. If I had to choose, I’d pick Under Armour because the material is thicker and less likely to rip. Nike tends to be more cotton and thinner, requiring extra care during washing to avoid shrinking. Ultimately, though, I’m just happy to be on the team and play with my friends.”

Cool brands: “Honestly, I’ve bought the same style and color Crocs for my last three pairs, so I might not be the best source. Jordans are definitely very popular and at school I see a lot of people wearing Jordans, Air Forces or platform Converse. And Nike is still super cool.”

Sock preferences: “White Nike socks are my go-to. They go with everything, match most outfits and just look better. My only complaint is that they rip so easily. I went through nine pairs of socks during my past spring season alone.”

Who pays: “My mom is amazing.  She always pulls through and buys my equipment for me. Once a year, on my birthday, I ask for a new basketball. Last year, my 12-year-old brother Cayden bought me one. He reminds me weekly that he bought it, so he gets to use it all the time. For basketball, I keep it simple. I usually just need socks, spandex and shoes.”

Horror stories: “My favorite pair of basketball shoes (Nike Elevate 3s) were so overused that I ended up spraining my ankle because the support was ruined. This past season, I rolled my ankle twice in these shoes — once at a tournament in Miami when a girl landed on my foot, and, again, during a Christmas tournament when I fell. I was devastated when the athletic trainer told me to retire the shoes.”

Gabby Fulton Talks Hoops

Gabby is a member of the eighth-grade Wellington Wolves travel team in Wellington, FL. This fall, she will be a freshman at The St. Andrews School in Boca Raton, FL.

Ball Talk:  “I specifically love using Wilson Evo basketballs because of their lightweight feel and excellent grip. It’s an easier basketball to handle. Plus, they’re super durable, which is perfect for our intense games. It feels like I’m playing with the best equipment out there.”

Shoe preference: “Traction, durability, comfort and support on are my priorities in a basketball shoe. Since I have flat feet, I need shoes that offer excellent ankle support and cushioning to prevent any pain or injuries. They should also be lightweight. I have about 20 pairs of basketball shoes at home in my closet.”

Favorite shoe: “For looks it is the Kobe Reverse Grinches. They’re just so stylish and iconic.  However, for my feet specifically, I really like Jayson Tatum’s shoes because they provide the perfect balance of comfort and support that I need. It’s like having the best of both worlds — style and function.”

Purchasing power: “We vote as a team on our top options. We all get to have a say in what we wear. It’s great because we make the decision together, ensuring everyone is happy with our gear. It feels awesome to be part of the process and wear something we all love.”

Brand preferences: “While brands aren’t the most important thing to me, I do appreciate the lightweight quality that our Nike uniform provides. It looks sleek and feels comfortable. But ultimately, being on the team and playing the game I love is what matters most to me.”

Cool brands: “The cool models in shoes are Jordans, Kobes, KDs (Kevin Durants), Kyries and (Jason) Tatums. The most popular slides are Nike, Crocs and Yeezys. In apparel, Nike, Under Armour and Hoop Culture are definitely popular. And Nike is super cool and always in style.”

Sock preferences: “I prefer Nike and Hoop Culture socks because they are super comfortable and provide great padding. I usually go for blue, black and/or white socks since they match with everything and always look clean and stylish.”

Who pays: “My parents pay for my basketball equipment. They are incredibly supportive of my passion for basketball and help me get the best gear. I’m really grateful for their support.”

Horror stories: “I have flat feet, so shoes with too much arch are painful for me. The worst experience I’ve had is stopping during training or a game to take off my shoes because of a burning feeling.  It’s super frustrating and painful and it really disrupts my focus and performance.”

Arushi Saxena Talks Hoops

Arushi, 16, is a member of the TNBA Houston 16U girls travel basketball team from Houston, TX.  This fall she will be junior at the St. Agnes Academy in Houston, TX.

Shoe preference:  “I make sure to look for ankle support, comfort and solid grip on the soles.”

Favorite shoe: “I like Nike because there are lots of options and their items are comfortable.”

Buying power: “We can request certain numbers to wear if they are available, but we do not get to provide input into what the uniforms look like for school or club.”

Cool brands: “Nike is still cool. I wear Birkenstocks as my slides, but Shark slides are popular right now. Basketball shoes by LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving are worn a lot these days. I also use McDavid knee pads because they are comfortable and don’t slide off my knees.”

Sock preference: “I prefer white Nike socks.”

Who pays: “My parents pay for my basketball gear.

Derek Vasquez Talks Hoops

Derek, 16, is a student at Berean Christian School in West Palm Beach, FL. He is a member of the varsity basketball team and plays for the school’s summer/travel team, too. This fall, he will be a junior at Berean Christian.

Ball talk: “I enjoy playing with the Wilson Evolution basketball, which is the main ball we play with at the high school level.”

Shoe preference ... “I’m looking for shoes that are comfortable, provide ankle support and are ‘springier.’ I also like some color in my basketball shoes.”

Favorite shoe: “I like the KD (Kevin Durant) Treys. I’m currently wearing my second pair of them.”

Buying power: “My head coach and the athletic director make the buying decisions.”

Cool brands: “In shoes, I like Nike and Adidas. In socks, I buy from Dick’s Sporting Goods and I like socks from Nike. In slides, I do like the Shark Slides.”

Sock preference: “I rock with Nike — black and/or white.”

Holden Axtell Talks Hoops  

Holden, 17, is a student at Berean Christian School in West Palm Beach, FL. He is a member of the school’s varsity boys basketball team and plays for the school’s summer/travel team, too. This fall, he will be a senior at Berean Christian School.

Ball talk: “I like to play with the Wilson Evolution basketball, which is the official basketball of the Florida High School Athletic Association.”

Shoe preference : “I like a basketball sneaker that is simple, lightweight, comfortable and provides support in all the right places.”

Favorite shoe: “I like to wear the Giannis shoe from Nike. I have also worn two pairs of the Nike KD’s.”

Buying power: “Usually my head coach makes decisions on uniforms for our high school and travel team.”

Brand importance: “Brands are important because brands breed trust.”

Cool brands ... “I am dressed head-to-toe in Nike. Nike is always cool.”

Who pays: “My mom pays for my basketballs, shoes, apparel and accessories. I also get items from my high school team.”

LT Noegel Talks Hoops

LT, 17, is a student at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, FL. He is a member of the varsity basketball team and he also plays for the Wellington Wolves travel team. This fall, he will be a senior at Cardinal Newman.

Ball talk: “It’s the EVO Wilson NXT.  This is the basketball that all the high schools (in Florida) use. I have one to use when I get shots up at the gym, too. This ball has an amazing grip. It is important to train and practice with the same ball you will be playing with in the game.”

Shoe preference: “I want them to be light, provide good ankle support, a low-to-medium top and to be tight so my feet don’t move.”

Favorite shoe: “The Ja Morant One. They are efficient and they support me when I am making quick sharp movements. My feet feel secure when jumping and these shoes give me extra bounce.”

Buying power: “I don’t have a choice for my travel team or my high school team. I do get to purchase and wear my shoes and socks. For my travel team, we wear Nike uniforms, gear and warmups. For my high school team, we wear Adidas uniforms. I prefer the Nike uniforms.”

Cool brands: “The two top brands are still Nike and Adidas. For shoes there are many popular names Nike KD, LeBron, JT, Adidas Hardens and AEs (Anthony Edwards), which didn’t work for me. For slides, I wear Birkenstocks.

Sock preference: “I only wear Nike socks and they have to be white.”

Horror stories: “I ordered the Anthony Edwards shoe and was really excited to get them. After wearing them a few times, I knew they were not for me. They just didn’t feel right. A basketball shoe has to feel right and what works for one player might not work for another.”

Michael Paul Talks Hoops

Michael, 12, is a student at Polo Park Middle School in Wellington, FL. He is a member of the school’s basketball team and plays for the Wellington Wolves travel team, too. This fall, he will be a seventh grader at Polo Park Middle School.

Ball talk: “I like using the Nike Elite basketball because it is soft and feels smooth on my fingers.”

Shoe preference: “I need my basketball shoes to be lightweight with a great cushion insole. My feet are slightly wider by the toes so the material needs to be flexible. I also want my basketball shoes to be good on dusty courts and have a good grip.”

Favorite shoe: “The Kobe 8 from Nike.”

Buying power: “My school’s basketball uniforms and the uniforms I wear for my travel basketball team’s unform are decided by the school or the club. However, we purchase our own sneakers and accessories.”

Favorite brands: “For basketball shoes I like shoes from Nike, Adidas and Jordan. For slides, I like Crocs, Yeezy, Kappa and Uggs. For apparel, I prefer Fear of God Essentials, Denim Tears, Eric Emanuel and Sp5der.”

Sock preference: “I prefer to wear white Nike ankle socks.”

Who pays: “My parents pay for all my basketball and sports items.”