We’ve all been there. You overhear a conversation about a topic you’re interested in, but don’t feel equipped to enter intelligently. It’s foreign territory, which causes you to feel uncertain and even overwhelmed.
But, your curiosity is piqued and you want to learn so, next time, you’re prepared to be a part of the conversation.
If this sounds like you when it comes to basketball, I’m here to help!
If you’re a parent of a basketball player, a player getting into the sport for the first time, a coach who wants to connect better with their players, or a straight-up hooper — who wants to see the most common phrases in the today’s game written down with definitions and examples — this is for you.
Here are 18 basketball slang terms to give you confidence when entering a conversation with real hoopers.
(1) Hooper – hoop·er | ˈho͞opər |
One who thinks, lives and breathes all things basketball.
•Example: That girl’s a hooper.
(2) Make it Rain – rain | rān |
A player who makes multiple shots in a row, typically from behind the three-point line.
•Example: At the game last night, Jerry made it rain.
(3) Brick – Brick – | brik |
When a player misses a shot badly. (like Shaquille O’Neal at the free-throw line)
•Example: You could build a house with all the Bricks Karl shot last night
(4) Airball – | Air-ball |
A shot that is missed so badly it doesn’t hit the rim or backboard.
•Example: With very little time on the clock, the guard rushed his shot and shot an airball.
(5) Bunnies – bun·nies | ˈbənēz |
The ability to jump incredibly high.
•Example: Michael Jordan used to have major bunnies which allowed him to do cool slam dunks.
(6) Dimes – dimes | dīmz |
The ability to consistently make on-target passes to your teammates so they can score easy points. Also known as an “assist”
•Example: Sheryl was dropping dimes all game long.
(7) And One |aNd·one|
When a player shoots the ball and makes it while getting fouled, a player is rewarded with one free throw attempt to score an additional point. This typically results in a player, coach, or fan yelling, “annnndddd one.”
•Example: Billy yelled out “and one” after making a three-pointer while being fouled.
(8) Cookies – cook·ies | ˈko͝okēz |
When a player swipes the ball away from their opponent, it resembles a person stealing cookies from a jar, warranting a player to yell “cookies.”
•Example: The entire crowd yelled “Cookies” after Katie stole the ball from her Jill at half-court.
(9) She/He’s a Bucket – She’s a buck·et | ˈbəkət |
A player who, anytime and anywhere, can score the ball with great ease and consistency.
•Example: Casey’s a guy who can flat out score the basketball. He’s a bucket!
(10) Dagger – Dag·ger | ˈdaɡər |
A made shot, typically in a crucial moment of the game, that is heartbreaking for the opposing team to experience because it means they’re about to lose.
•Example: With two seconds remaining on the clock and the game tied, Jennifer hit a three-point dagger for the win.
(11) Put em’ on skates – Put em’ on skates | skātz |
A dribble move made, which results in the defender losing their balance, resembling someone ice skating for the first time.
•Example: Caleb put the defender on skates by making a deceptive left to right crossover.
(12) Clamps – | klampz |
A player, tightly defending an offensive player, who doesn’t allow points to be scored on them.
•Example: In the last game, Lebron put clamps on Steph Curry, forcing four turnovers and only allowing 10 points scored.
(13) Shifty – shift·y | ˈSHiftē |
A player, with the ball in their hands, who has the ability to change directions quickly and move past defenders easily.
•Example: Kemba Walker might be the most shifty player in the NBA.
(14) Sauce – sauce | sôs |
A player with confidence, skills, and a noticeable swagger.
•Example: Diana Taurasi, one of the greatest players of all time, plays the game with so much sauce.
(15) Butter – but·ter |ˈbuTēr |
A term commonly used to describe a player’s shot — pure, smooth, beautiful, and, at times, one you can’t believe.
•Example: I continually pass the ball to Dustin because I know his shot is butter.
(16) Hand down, man down – | Hand doun, man doun |
When an offensive player, who identifies a defender’s hands down by their side, rises up to shoot the ball with no defensive interference, giving way for players & spectators to yell, “hand down man down.” This phrase was originally coined by former NBA player and longtime NBA analyst, Mark Jackson.
•Example: Backpedaling back on defense, Klay Thompson yelled “hand down, man down” letting the defender know they need to put their hand up on defense next time.
(17) Jelly – jel·ly | ˈjelē |
A shot, taken close to the rim, with an abundance of spin, fanciness, and style.
•Example: Carrie put so much jelly on that last finish at the rim.
(18) Mouse in the house – | mous in the hous |
When a shorter player gets caught guarding a much taller player in the painted area near the basket, the taller player will yell, “mouse in the house” to his teammate, signifying, they want the ball now!
•Example: Shaquille O’Neal yelled, “mouse in the house” when he saw 5’9 Nate Robinson Guarding him.
Next time you get into a basketball conversation, use these words and phrases and become the most knowledgeable (and hip) person in the room.