Everybody has to start somewhere. For many hoopers out there, starting comes in the form of a portable basketball hoop that they can place anywhere and train anytime. However, there will come a time when you’ll just be too grown-up (or too good) for a portable hoop. Enter the in-ground hoop. 

An in-ground hoop requires more space, not to mention commitment. Once an in-ground hoop is made, it will most likely stay there, demanding more resources like space. But can you convert a portable basketball system to an in-ground system? This is a convenient option, so why not explore it? 

Can You Convert a Portable Basketball Hoop to In Ground?

Converting a portable basketball hoop into an in-ground hoop is possible. For many people, this is a necessary step to improve their game. More so, converting a portable basketball instead of buying a new setup is a very practical way to improve the current state of your court without having to break the bank too much. It will improve your overall playing experience and should provide a more stable and durable setup than your previous one. 

However, converting your portable basketball hoop to in-ground is easier said than done. The process requires planning, heavy-duty tools, and good old elbow grease matched with some handyman skills. 

How Much Does It Cost to Convert Portable Basketball Hoops?

The cost of converting your portable basketball hoop to an in-ground one depends on many factors. At its core, this task is a construction job, meaning you have to consider several things like materials, manpower, and the like. One thing’s for sure, though: you won’t need a new hoop anymore for the project. 

One factor that will greatly affect the price of the whole job is the manpower. Hiring a professional versus going the DIY route will probably increase the cost by $200 to $500. It’s worth noting, though, that getting a professional increases the chances of you getting the project right the first time and avoiding paying to correct the mistakes down the line. 

If you’re planning to do it yourself, you can focus your resources on the materials instead. Converting a portable basketball hoop into an in-ground one will involve buying concrete, rebar, and a ground sleeve, among many other things. All in all, the materials could cost you anywhere from $50 to $200. 

How to Convert a Portable Basketball Hoop to In-Ground: Step-by-Step

Now, let’s get to the actual how-to.

Choosing a Location

First things first, you have to find the right place to put your new hoop. One of the most important things to consider for the location is the topography or how flat the area is. Of course, basketball is played on a flat surface, so it’s just right to replicate this as closely as possible for proper training and fewer injuries. Driveways are popular among families in the US because they are usually flat and wide. Backyards are, of course, great as well. 

Of course, you have to consider how safe it will be to play on your new court. Are cars going to pass by frequently? What are the chances that the ball will hit windows? Make sure to take a quick survey of the area you’re eyeing and adjust accordingly. 

Tools and Materials You Will Need

Converting your portable basketball hoop isn’t as hard as you would think, and, if we’re to be honest, you won’t need a lot of specialized equipment to pull this off. Essentially, the job will involve disassembling your current hoop, digging a hole, pouring concrete into that hole, and sticking the hoop in there. Each of these steps will require different tools and materials. 

For starters, you will need basic tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches to disassemble your current setup. Next, you’ll need a shovel and something to flatten the hole you’ll be digging. You’ll also use the same shovel to mix the concrete. Finally, you’ll need a ground sleeve to hold your new hoop in place. 

Step by Step Instructions

Prepare the Hoop 

The first thing to do is to prepare the hoop by disassembling the whole thing and discarding the parts that won’t be used anymore. More specifically, remove the plastic base of the portable basketball and make sure that only the pole, backboard, and rim are left. 

Dig a Hole

Start digging a hole where your newly converted hoop will be placed. Remember that the base should be sturdy to avoid a catastrophic collapse, so don’t go digging into soft ground. For guidance, the whole should be about 3 feet deep and about a foot wide to accommodate enough concrete for the pole to be sturdy. Don’t forget to flatten the whole as well to let the debris settle. 

Place the Ground Sleeve and Pour Concrete

After working on the hole, put the ground sleeve in and make sure that it’s level. Once the ground sleeve is in place, pour in the concrete that you mixed and add some sticks or counterweight to hold the sleeve in place. In seven days, the concrete would be solid enough to start the next step. 

Complete the Installation

The last step is to assemble the hoop itself. One way to do this is to push the pole into the ground sleeve and then add the backboard and ring after. You can, otherwise, add the ring and backboard to the pole itself because sticking in the whole thing into the sleeve. Don’t forget to level the ring one final time to make sure that everything is good. 

Safety Considerations When Converting Portable Basketball Hoops

Much like any other construction job, converting your portable basketball hoop into an in-ground hoop has its own safety risks. This project isn’t a one-man job, and you will most likely need an assistant to hold things in place so that they fall over you — especially the heavy parts of the hoop like the backboard, the pole, and even the ring. These pieces can also fall post-construction, so make sure to tighten everything up when reinstalling the hoop. 

Safety considerations can also mean surveying where you’re putting the hoop. Powerlines, creeks, gardens, and even fences can pose a risk to you when playing, so be sure to consider these things. We cannot control where the ball goes during games, so the least we can do is to make sure that the ball doesn’t go to places where we don’t want it to go. You can also basketball-proof the area by installing a cage or barricading certain areas.

Regular maintenance check-ups should also be done to ensure that your installation is still good. Watch out for signs of rust, cracks, and other signs of damage. 

Wrapping Things Up: How to Convert a Portable Basketball Hoop to in-Ground?

Installing an in-ground basketball hoop is a necessary step to take your game to the next level. However, starting this from scratch can be a little pricey, which is why many are converting their current portable hoop into a ground setup instead. This is a practical way to go about things because it makes do with what you have — and the whole project isn’t even that hard. 

Essentially, you just need to dig a hole, put a ground sleeve, pour in concrete, and reinstall your hoop. Of course, there are a lot of things in between those steps, and safety should always be your priority. At the end of the day, converting your portable hoop into an in-ground one is definitely a step in the right direction — so get into work!

We hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, be sure to check out our other basketball FAQ articles here.