Should You Wear a Hoodie Under Your Basketball Jersey for Extra Warmth?

I remember the first time I saw an NBA player wearing a hoodie under his jersey during warm-ups—it was Carmelo Anthony back in his Denver days, and I thought it looked both ridiculous and brilliant. The question of whether basketball players should wear hoodies under their jerseys for extra warmth isn't just about fashion; it's about performance, comfort, and sometimes even tradition. Having played competitive basketball through college and now covering the sport professionally for over a decade, I've formed some strong opinions on this topic, especially after watching countless games where temperature regulation seemed to impact player performance.

Just last Wednesday, I witnessed an interesting case study at the Playtime Filoil Centre where the Blazers dominated the Golden Stags with an 82-64 blowout victory. The arena temperature felt particularly chilly that evening, around 65°F based on my own assessment and conversations with arena staff. I noticed at least three Blazers players wearing compression hoodies beneath their jerseys during warm-ups, though they removed them before the actual game started. This got me thinking about the practical implications of that extra layer. The Blazers shot an impressive 48% from the field compared to the Stags' 36%, and while I'm not suggesting the hoodies directly caused this discrepancy, the players I spoke with afterward mentioned feeling more "loose" and "ready" during their pre-game routine thanks to the added warmth.

From a physiological perspective, warming up muscles properly can reduce injury risk by approximately 15-20% according to several sports medicine studies I've reviewed, though the exact numbers vary depending on which research you consult. The quadriceps and hamstrings particularly benefit from maintained warmth, and a hoodie helps trap body heat close to the core muscle groups. I've personally experimented with this during early morning practices in poorly heated gyms, and the difference in how my muscles respond during those first few explosive movements is noticeable. That initial stiffness when shooting or changing direction can throw off your entire game, and anything that minimizes it—including an extra layer—deserves consideration.

However, there's a significant downside that many players don't consider until it's too late. Once the game begins and your body temperature rises, that extra layer becomes a liability. Basketball involves constant high-intensity movement—players cover roughly 2.5 miles per game according to NBA tracking data—and overheating can be just as problematic as being too cold. I've made this mistake myself during a tournament game in college; I kept my undershirt on during the first half and ended up drenched and weighed down by sweat, affecting my second-half performance. The key is strategic layering: use the hoodie during warm-ups and immediately remove it before tip-off. Modern performance fabrics have improved dramatically, with some moisture-wicking materials reducing sweat retention by up to 40% compared to traditional cotton hoodies, but even the best technical fabrics can't completely overcome the physics of intense physical activity.

The cultural aspect of hoodies in basketball can't be ignored either. Since the early 2000s, we've seen hoodies become part of basketball's identity, from Allen Iverson making them part of his iconic off-court style to LeBron James wearing them during pre-game rituals. There's a psychological component here—that "hoodie mentality" players reference when they want to project focus and intensity. I've interviewed players who swear that wearing a hoodie puts them in a different mental state, more locked-in and less distracted by their surroundings. Whether this provides a measurable competitive advantage is debatable, but in a game where confidence and mindset are everything, even perceived benefits can translate to real performance improvements.

Looking specifically at the Blazers' decisive victory over the Golden Stags, I couldn't help but notice how their pre-game preparation seemed more organized and intentional than their opponents'. While correlation doesn't equal causation, their attention to detail in warm-up routines—including temperature management—appeared to contribute to their strong start. The Blazers opened with a 12-2 run in the first four minutes, while the Stags looked sluggish and out of rhythm. Having watched both teams' pre-game routines, the Blazers' players who utilized hoodies appeared to maintain their body heat better during breaks in the action, though they wisely shed the extra layer before the opening whistle.

Based on my experience both on and off the court, I've developed what I call the "15-minute rule"—if the ambient temperature is below 70°F, I'll wear a hoodie during warm-ups but always remove it at least 15 minutes before game time to let my body adjust. This approach has served me well and aligns with what I've observed among professional players. The hoodie-under-jersey question ultimately comes down to timing and purpose: it's an excellent tool for pre-game preparation but a potential hindrance during actual gameplay. As basketball continues to evolve, with players becoming more sophisticated about their preparation methods, I suspect we'll see even more targeted approaches to temperature management. But for now, the humble hoodie remains a valuable, if temporary, part of many players' arsenals—including mine.