Best Supplements to Take for Better Basketball Performance

If you are looking for ways to increase your basketball performance, then you may have considered implementing a supplement regimen into your diet.  A supplement regimen, quite simply, is the process of adding supplements, vitamins, and other dietary solutions to your daily regimen to help you in both areas where you may be facing a deficit and in areas to help increase your overall exercise routine.

However, finding and understand what supplements are best for your particular use case can be difficult and onerous.  That is why, below, we are going to review the best supplements to take for better basketball performance. 

However, it should be noted before we begin, that neither myself not the team at Ball Are Life are registered medical professionals, dietitians, or nutritionists.  Rather, the information we provide is simply an introduction to the world of supplements.  You should conduct your own research, due diligence, and speak with a licensed, trained medical professional or doctor before beginning any supplement routine.

What Are Supplements?

Quite simply, dietary supplements are meant to replace or supplement one’s diet.  They can be taken as a pill, capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid.  A dietary supplement can provide essential nutrients that your body needs and can either be extracted from food sources or through synthetic means.

Products sold as a dietary supplement will come with a supplement facts label by the manufacturer.  This label will identify both the active and inactive ingredients in the supplement, the amount per serving or dose, as well as other ingredients contained in the supplement. 

In addition, the manufacturer of the dietary supplement will suggest the appropriate serving size, however it is always best to discuss with your healthcare provider before deciding on which supplement, and the serving size, that is appropriate for you.

However, with a plethora of dietary supplements on the market, and few recognized or studied by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the effectiveness of any one supplement can be difficult to quantify.  However, some dietary supplements can help you to get an adequate amount of essential nutrients which you may not receive through your diet.

In addition, some dietary supplements can counteract or interact with prescription medications.  This includes vitamin K reducing the ability of blood thinners to prevent blood clotting, and vitamins C and E reducing the effectiveness of some types of chemotherapies.  So again, before you purchase and begin a supplement regimen, always speak to your healthcare provider beforehand.

Will Dietary Supplements Make You a Better Basketball Player?

Yes and no.  Firstly, dietary supplements alone will not make you a better basketball player.  Rather, to become a better basketball player and to have better basketball performance, you will need to commit time both on-and-off the court.  This includes not only practicing your shooting abilities, but also learning how to handle pressure before a game and understanding the dynamics of both offensive and defensive plays.  

However, dietary supplements can help you to reach your exercise and workout goals more quickly.  Whether recovering from a particularly difficult gym session, taking a dietary supplement to push for one additional rep on the bench press, or utilizing supplements for increased focus, you will likely see some results from taking specific dietary supplements.

Disclaimer

Please note, we here at Ball Are Life are affiliated with both the Amazon Associates Program and other affiliate programs.  This means we may receive a small commission from any purchases made via our links below.  This is at no additional cost to you.  While we appreciate the additional commission, we would never recommend a product or service which does not align with our core values nor any product which we would not, and have not, used ourselves.

Whey Protein

Whey protein is one of the most studied dietary supplements in the world.  Whey protein offers a high nutritional value and scientific studies have revealed the numerous benefits of the supplement.  Whey is a liquid which separates from milk during the production of cheese and the protein part of whey is why it is called whey protein.

As a supplement, it is one of the safest, most complete, most high-quality forms of protein that you can ingest.  In addition, it is packed with essential amino acids and is both very digestible and absorbed by your gut.  And when consumed and coupled with strength training, whey protein has been shown to promote muscle growth and preserve skeletal muscle mass in aging.

Furthermore, whey protein has been shown to lower blood pressure, help to treat type 2 diabetes, and to reduce inflammation.  In fact, if you are going to choose just one dietary supplement, our recommendation would be to choose a whey protein product to help with muscle growth.

Our editor’s top picks for the best whey protein is none other than the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein. We’ve actually used this whey protein for over a decade now and have not had any gestational issues with it and find the taste not only palatable, but actually rather pleasant tasting.

Although we weren’t fans of the ‘chocolate malt’ flavor, we really liked both the ‘double rich chocolate’ and the ‘cookies & cream’ flavors. With Optimum Nutrition, you get 24g of protein per serving and over 5.5g of naturally occurring BCAA’s.

However, we have also tried, and would also recommend, Naked Whey as an alternative to Optimum Nutrition. Although it is a bit more expensive, Naked Whey is a 100% grass fed, pure whey supplement that contains 0 additives and no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors and is also GMO-Free.

Coming in a variety of flavors, and an unflavored option, Naked Whey provides 25g of protein, 2g of sugar, 3g of carbs, 120 Calories, and 5.9g of BCAA’s per serving.

Creatine

We’ve previously discussed how NBA players take creatine to help them perform better during games, practices, and off-season workouts. And, similarly, continue to espouse the benefits of creatine not only for basketball players, but also for any athlete looking to take their game to the next level.

After whey protein, creatine is perhaps one of the most widely used supplements. And with an estimated $400 million market size, creatine offers athletes an almost unrivaled boost to their performance.

Creatine is, in fact, a natural substance that is found in muscle cells.  Creatine is used to help your muscles produce energy during heavy lifting, intense exercise, and high-performance workouts.  And athletes, bodybuilders, and even basketball players all take creatine supplements to gain muscle, enhance strength, and improve their exercise performance.

Speaking in chemical terms, creatine shares many of the same properties with amino acids.  In fact, your body produces creatine from the amino acids in glycine and arginine. 

There are, however, several factors that can affect your body’s creatine stores, including your meat intake, the amount of exercise you complete, and your total muscle mass and hormone levels, including testosterone.

Within your body, approximately 95% of the creatine is stored in your muscles in the form of phosphocreatine.  When you add a creatine supplement to your diet, you increase those stores of phosphocreatine.  This stored phosphocreatine is a form of reserved energy in your cells as it assists your body in producing more high-energy molecules called ATP.

When you have more stored ATP, your body can better perform during heavy exercise, strenuous workouts, and high-intensity sessions. 

Although there are a number of different types of creatine, overall creatine monohydrate is the most common form.  In addition, creatine monohydrate is the form that has been most widely studied and tested. 

This means that most of creatine’s beneficial effects have been observed and studied almost exclusively against creatine monohydrate.  If you are considering adding creatine to your workout routine, we recommend purchasing a creatine monohydrate formula.

With that said, there are, admittedly, few variations between creatine supplements.  As such, if you are considering purchasing a creatine supplement, you should focus on price and purity. 

We also recommend choosing a creatine manufacturer that has received an independent, third-party certification of authenticity and one that follow strict guidelines to ensure purity.  This can include certifications from the NSF or Informed Sport.

• Thorne Research – Creatine Monohydrate – NSF Certified, Thorne Research’s Creatine Monohydrate comes in a powdered format and can be easily mixed with water.  Just one scoop contains 5-grams of creatine monohydrate and is both gluten and nut-free.

• Proven4 Pre-Workout – Proven4’s Pre-Workout supplement is a mix of both pre-workout and creatine.  Providing you with both creatine monohydrate and a blend of effective pre-workout supplements, you can easily reach your supplement needs in one scoop.  And with Proven4 being NSF Certified, it is by far one of the best supplements available on the market for athletes, bodybuilders, and basketball players alike.

• Cytosport Creatine – Cytosport’s Creatine is unflavored, it comes in a rather unappealing package, and doesn’t claim to do much more than what creatine is supposed to do.  And that’s why we love it.  Simple, straight to the point, NSF Certified, and relatively cheap compared to other brands, Cytosport Creatine is an effective choice for someone looking to add creatine to their workout routine.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is another great supplement to add to your list to help your basketball performance. Admittedly, glucosamine is naturally found and produced in your body and exists in your cartilage. Glucosamine helps create the proteins and fats that repair your cartilage when it’s damaged.

While glucosamine hasn’t been as widely explored or studied as compared to either whey protein or creatine, some studies have shown that glucosamine can provide some important health benefits.

This includes antioxidant effects that can improve your eye health, reduced joint pain, especially among people with osteoarthritis, chronic inflammation, and improved bone health. In fact, glucosamine may even be able to help reduce the weakening of bones by supporting healthy bone growth.

Important note, many glucosamine supplements currently on the market are also combined with chondroitin. Chondroitin mixed with glucosamine has been shown to have more positive benefits for joint and bone health and both supplements are generally safe for consumption.

Currently, we are taking glucosamine via Vimerson Health’s tablet form. Vimerson Health’s glucosamine blend can help increase joint lubrication to assist with a smoother joint functionality. With this daily multivitamin and supplement, we have seen overall improvements to our joint health and comfort, cartilage, and joint flexibility.

B Vitamins

B vitamins are one of the most essential vitamins needed to sustain a healthy body. And, contrary to popular belief, come in eight separate and unique sequences, which are composed of:

• B-1 (thiamine)
• B-2 (riboflavin)
• B-3 (niacin)
• B-5 (pantothenic acid)
• B-6 (pyridoxine)
• B-7 (biotin)
• B-9 (folic acid)
• B-12 (cobalamin)

Each one of these separate sequences provides essential vitamins which contribute to your overall health. And when you are looking to purchase a vitamin B supplement, we recommend purchasing a vitamin B complex which will have a mix of all eight within it.

While there are a ton of health benefits to vitamin B, their overall contribution to your health can be best summarized as having a direct impact on your energy levels, brain function, and cell metabolism.

In addition, for male basketball players, vitamin B plays a key role in increasing testosterone levels and may also help men build muscle and increase strength. However, the prime word here is may, as few studies have been conducted to purport such claims.

However, it should also be noted that vitamin B is commonly found in everyday foods and diets consumed around the world. This includes milk, cheese, eggs, chicken, fish, steak, spinach, kale, and a whole slew of other food products.

As such, due to the relative abundance of vitamin B in everyday food items and the little variance between branded products, if you do decide to add vitamin B to your supplement regimen, you should simply ensure that it is a vitamin B complex formula, which contains all eight different forms of the vitamin.

Personally, when we purchase a vitamin B complex, we look to the more cost effective options. We currently have a box of Nature Made Super B Energy Complex, which we take daily to ensure that our vitamin B levels are adequately met.

Iron

Iron is one of the minerals most vital to human health and while all human cells contain iron, it is mostly found in red blood cells. However, iron deficiency is extremely common in athletes, particularly female ones, and can affect athletic performance.

Most iron that is absorbed in the body can be found in our diets, including from red meats, fish, and poultry. However, an iron deficiency can lead to reduced endurance and an increase in the amount of energy that the body uses.

And while iron is most often found in our daily diets, its health benefits cannot be overlooked or overstated. Iron can help treat anemia, boost hemoglobin, reduce fatigue, and improve muscle endurance, all benefits which are essential for basketball players.

Again, as with the vitamin B supplements, few differences exist between differing manufacturers. If you are looking to add an iron supplement to your daily routine, we would encourage price consciousness. That’s why we recommend 21st Century Slow Release Iron Tablets as the most affordable option.

Pre-Workout Supplements

We’ve previously discussed whether or not NBA players take pre-workout supplements and the best of pre-workout supplements for basketball players. And while the popularity of pre-workouts continues to climb, we continue to caution its use without speaking to a healthcare professional beforehand.

Pre-workout supplements, or simply pre-workouts, are a multi-ingredient dietary formula designed to boost both energy and athletic performance. Pre-workout supplements are typically powdered substance which are mixed in with water or a smoothie and drunk before the start of an exercise or basketball game.

And although there are a plethora of pre-workout supplements available on the market, there is little consistency in the formulas from one brand to the next.  However, many pre-workout supplements contain a blend of amino acids, B vitamins, caffeine, creatine, and artificial sweeteners.

Due to this relatively unregulated market, we always recommend opting for pre-workout supplements which have reputable sources and have been certified by the NSF.

While there haven’t been many studies completed on pre-workout supplements, there are a number of ingredients which have been shown to increase athletic performance.  Below are a few ingredients which have been shown to increase athletic focus, performance, and output.

• Caffeine – caffeine is one of the most frequently used ingredients in pre-workouts.  Caffeine has been heavily tested and has been shown to increase both energy and focus.  As one of the most popular stimulants, caffeine may also improve mental alertness, memory, exercise performance, and fat burning.

• Nitric Oxide Precursors – nitric oxide is a compound that is naturally produced in your body and helps to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow.  Nitric oxide may also decrease muscle soreness and boost exercise performance.  In pre-workout supplements, nitric oxide is often included as L-arginine, L-citrulline, and other sources of dietary nitrates.

• Creatine – creatine is a chemical compound that is also naturally produced in your body.  Stored in the skeletal muscle, creatine plays a major role in energy production and muscular strength.

Personally, we recommend C4 Ripped Sport Pre-Workout Powder is one of the best pre-workout supplements available on the market.  NSF Certified, C4 Ripped comes in a variety of different flavors, including fruit punch, arctic snow, strawberry lemonade, and blue raspberry. 

C4 Ripped Sport Pre-Workout is formulated with a variety of fat burning ingredients, including CLA and dyglofit to help you train harder and support your body’s ability to burn fat.  It is also formulated with carnosyn beta-alanine, a premium clinically studied ingredient, which has been shown to support muscle endurance and fight fatigue while working out or playing basketball.

We’ve taken C4 Ripped Sport Pre-Workout for nearly five years now. And while we found a bit of an increased heart rate at first use, our body has grown accustomed to the formula and we find little to no increased heart rate now.

However, and again, we highly recommend speaking with a medical or healthcare professional before beginning a pre-workout regimen.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a nutrient that occurs naturally in the body and is also found in many of the foods that we eat. Coenzyme Q10 is an enzyme typically found in the mitochondria, which are the parts of cells that generate energy.

CoQ10 acts as an antioxidant, which protects cells from damage and plays an important part in the metabolism. In addition, studies have shown an association between low levels of coenzyme Q10 and increased fatigue.

In addition to the increase in energy, coenzyme Q10 may be effective in treating heart failure, reduce headaches and migraines, and most importantly for basketball players, coenzyme Q10 can help with exercise performance.

Oxidative stress can affect muscle function, and thus, exercise performance, CoQ10 can help exercise performance by decreasing oxidative stress in the cells and improving mitochondrial functions.

CoQ10 currently comes in two different forms – ubiquinol and ubiquinone. Ubiquinol, however, accounts for the majority of CoQ10 in the blood and is also the more absorbable form. That is why it is generally the more recommended form.

However, when it comes to dosage, CoQ10 generally ranges from 90 mg to 200 mg per day. However, doses even up to 500 mg seem to be well tolerated and several studies have been conducted on higher dosage intake without any serious or long-term side effects.

It is important to note, that since CoQ10 is fat-soluble, its absorption is slow and generally limited. However, taking a CoQ10 supplement with food can help your body to absorb it up to three times faster, so we always recommend taking a CoQ10 supplement with food.

We actually do take a CoQ10 supplement daily and have been doing so for nearly a year now. We recommend the Nature Made CoQ10 Softgels and have not had any issues since taking them. Generally, we trust Nature Made as a brand and stick to their offerings when possible.

Conclusion

Whether you’re an athlete, a basketball player, or simply looking to get healthier, dietary supplements are a great option and resource to reach your fitness goals. However, supplements alone won’t substitute the work needed in the gym to reach those goals.

In addition, different supplements interact differently with each person. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before beginning any supplement regimen to ensure the safest and most effective regimen for yourself.