In this article we will discuss NBA basketball jersey sizes compared to shirts, using photos of the jerseys I own. If you are looking to buy an NBA jersey, you have 5 options.
Quickly, here’s what you need to know about all the NBA fan jerseys available:
- Nike Swingman – This is Nike’s more affordable replica option. These are very popular among fans, but they are not embroidered. Great option if you don’t want to pay up for the embroidered authentic jerseys. Slim fit, if you prefer baggy, size up. Click here to view the Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
- Nike Authentic – These are the authentic jerseys. These jerseys have all the premium finishes, including stitched numbers and graphics. They have a slim fit, and you will need to size up if you prefer a baggy fit. Click here to view the Nike Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
- Fanatics Fast Break Jersey – Another affordable replica jersey. It is made by Fanatics, not Nike. If you are operating on a tight budget, I suggest checking it out. These are not stitched. This jersey has a true-to-size regular fit. Click here to view the Fanatics Fast Break jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
- Mitchell & Ness Swingman – Mitchell & Ness makes classic throwback jerseys. The Swingman version is the more affordable option, but these jerseys still have awesome quality, including stitched graphics on most jerseys. This jersey is not as slim as the Nike jerseys. I recommend ordering your normal sizing. Click here to view the Mitchell & Ness Swingman throwback collection at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
- Mitchell & Ness Authentic – These are also throwback authentic jerseys. They are stitched. These authentic throwbacks are some of the most coveted fan jerseys. Click here to view the Mitchell & Ness Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
This is the jersey type that I recommend as best NBA fan jersey due to it’s combination of comfort, quality, and style (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). Again, these are the 5 main types of NBA fan jerseys you have to choose from:
- Fanatics Fast Break
- Nike Swingman
- Nike Authentic
- Mitchell & Ness Swingman
- Mitchell & Ness Authentic
I own all of those 5 types of NBA jerseys and will use photos in this article to give you an idea 1) how they fit, and 2) how they compare to regular t-shirts. I will also throw in some photos of a couple other NBA jacket and hoodies in case you are interested (Nike Courtside and Therm Flex).
In general, most NBA jerseys fit slim. The NBA has been trending towards a slim, athletic fit for the better part of a decade.
Gone are the days of players wearing baggy, loose jerseys. And that slim, athletic fit is passed on to the fan jerseys as well.
In the sections below we will cover:
- Nike NBA Basketball Jersey Sizes Compared to Shirts
- Mitchell & Ness NBA Basketball Jersey Sizes Compared to Shirts
- Fanatics NBA Basketball Jersey Sizes Compared to Shirts
We have an NBA jersey size guide that gives you even more information on how these jerseys fit. We also do individual reviews of each jersey that I will link throughout the article.
Before we start, here is a look at me wearing a medium t-shirt so that you can compare it if needed throughout the article (6’3″ 200 pounds):
I will also compare each jersey to a standard Hanes medium t-shirt straight out of the package (not washed). Hopefully this gives you a better understanding of how the jerseys fit. Here is a look at the medium Hanes t-shirt:
NBA Basketball Jersey Sizes Compared to Shirts: Nike
Nike
Nike is the official jersey and apparel provider for the NBA (source). The jerseys the players wear are made by Nike.
Nike has two types of NBA fan jerseys: the Swingman and the Authentic. Let’s look at these individually so you can see how they compare to a regular t-shirt.
Nike Swingman Jerseys
Nike Swingman jerseys are not exact replicas of what the players wear. They do not have the premium finishes that the Nike Authentic jerseys have, which allows them to be priced lower than the Nike Authentic jerseys.
- This is the current price of the Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (NBAStore.com is the official online shop of the NBA).
Even though the Nike Swingman jerseys do not have all the premium finishes that the Nike Authentic jerseys do, they still are very nice jerseys and are a great way to rep a player or team if you don’t want to spend up for an authentic. Here is a look at my Nike Swingman:
(6’3″ 200 pounds; size medium)
The Nike Swingman has a very slim fit. I did not size up, but it was close. If you are in between sizes, my advice is to size up. If you prefer a loose, baggy fit, you may need to size up twice.
Here is my medium Nike Swingman compared to the medium Hanes t-shirt:
Nike Swingman vs T Shirt (both medium)
As you can see, the medium Nike Swingman is a tiny bit slimmer than the Hanes medium t-shirt. Again, I did not size up the Nike Swingman, but it very close. If you are in between sizes, definitely size up.
The Nike Swingman jerseys are my top choice for best NBA fan jersey. You may have to size up depending how you like a jersey to fit, but the Nike Swingman jerseys are very comfortable and stylish, and offer a more affordable price point than the authentics.
This is where you can browse Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). If you want to read more about the Nike Swingan jerseys, visit our Nike Swingman Jersey Review.
Nike Authentic Jerseys
Nike Authentic jerseys are engineered to the exact specifications of the players’ jerseys. If you want a true replica of what the players wear, then you will need to buy a Nike Authentic jersey.
Nike Authentic jerseys will have all the premium finishes you see on players’ jerseys, including sewn-on names, numbers, and logos, and the gold championship badge on the back neckline (etc). But because these jerseys have all the premium finishes, they also have a higher price point.
- This is the current price of the Nike Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
Here is a look at some of the premium finishes found on the Nike Authentic jerseys:
Nike Authentic jerseys have a slim, athletic fit just like the players’ jerseys. I did not have to size up, but if you prefer a loose fit, you will likely need to size up. Nike Authentic jerseys are not quite as slim as the Nike Swingman jerseys.
The authentic jerseys use a numerical sizing system instead of the standard small-medium-large sizing. Here is how the sizing works:
- Size 40 = Small
- Size 44 = Medium
- Size 48 = Large
- Size 52 = XL
- Size 56 = XXL
- Size 58 = 3XL
Nike Authentic Sizing
I bought a size 44, which is the equivalent to a medium. Here is my size 44 on me, and compared to a t-shirt:
(6’3″ 200 pounds; size 44)
As you can see, the Nike Authentic jersey is a tiny bit wider than a Hanes medium t-shirt. You can also see that the Authentic jerseys have extra length built in.
Here is a look at my Nike Authentic (left) sitting next to my Nike Swingman (right):
The Nike Authentic jerseys are the best fan jersey you can own if you are not concerned about price. They are made with the exact specifications of the players’ jerseys, and are, in my opinion, the best piece of NBA fan apparel you can own. The only reason I recommend the Nike Swingman as best fan jersey is because of its price point.
If you want the best jersey available, it is the Nike Authentic. This is where you can browse the Nike Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). If you want to read more about these jerseys, you can visit our Nike Authentic Jersey Review.
NBA Basketball Jersey Sizes Compared to Shirts: Mitchell & Ness
Mitchell & Ness
Mitchell & Ness is a bit different than Nike because they do not make jerseys for current teams/players. Mitchell & Ness makes classic throwback jerseys featuring some the game’s greatest superstars and most iconic jerseys.
These are my 7 favorite Mitchell and Ness throwbacks (affiliate links take you to NBAStore.com):
- The Michael Jordan classic Authentic throwback 97-98 Chicago Bulls jersey (see picture here)
- The Kobe Bryant Authentic rookie throwback 96-97 Los Angeles Lakers jersey (see picture here)
- The Lebron James rookie Authentic throwback 03-04 Cleveland Cavaliers jersey (see picture here)
- The Kevin Durant rookie Authentic throwback 07-08 Seattle SuperSonics jersey (see picture here)
- The Steph Curry rookie road Authentic throwback 09-10 Golden State Warriors jersey (see picture here)
- The Larry Bird throwback Swingman 85-86 Boston Celtics jersey (see picture here)
- The Kobe Bryant Authentic throwback 08-09 Los Angeles Lakers jersey (see picture here)
Just like Nike, Mitchell & Ness makes both a Swingman and an Authentic jersey. The Swingman does not have all the premium finishes that the Authentic jersey does, but still has great value at a cheaper price point. Let’s take a look at how they fit compared to t-shirts.
*It is important to note that Mitchell and Ness is tasked with making classic throwback jerseys from several different eras in the NBA. This means that certain jerseys may have different features than other jerseys just due to the era the jersey comes from. The features I list below are specific to the jerseys I own and may not be true across all Mitchell and Ness jerseys. This article is property of sportsfanfocus.com.
Mitchell & Ness Swingman
The Mitchell & Ness Swingman, in my opinion, have the best value out of any NBA fan jersey. My Mitchell & Ness Swingman has sewn-on letters, numbers and logos, which is an awesome finish to get at the Swingman price point.
- This is the current price of the Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
My Mitchell & Ness Swingman is a Shaq throwback Lakers jersey. Here is a look at how it fits on me, and a look at the sewn-on graphics:
(6’3″ 200 pounds; size medium)
M&N Swingman Sizing
The Mitchell & Ness Swingman jersey has an athletic, slim fit, but runs true to size – I did not need to size up. If you prefer a very loose fit, you will need to size up.
Mitchell & Ness jerseys do have a bit of extra length built in so length should not be an issue.
As you can see, it runs a bit looser than a Hanes medium t-shirt through the chest, but does slim up a bit through the stomach. It runs a couple inches longer than the Hanes t-shirt.
If you are interested in a classic throwback jersey, I highly recommend checking out the Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys. It is really nice getting sewn-on graphics at this price point.
This is where you can browse the entire collection of Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). If you want to read more about these jerseys, visit our Mitchell and Ness Swingman Jersey Review.
Mitchell & Ness Authentic
Mitchell & Ness Authentic jerseys are much like the Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys, only they offer a few more premium finishes than the Swingman jerseys.
- This is the current price of the Mitchell & Ness Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (NBAStore.com is the official online shop of the NBA).
Mitchell & Ness Authentic jerseys are some of the most coveted NBA jerseys due to their quality and the superstar players and retro jersey styles they offer.
Mitchell and Ness Authentic jerseys also use a numerical sizing instead of the standard small-medium-large sizing. Here is how it works:
- Size 36 = Small
- Size 40 = Medium
- Size 44 = Large
- Size 48 = XL
- Size 52 = XXL
- Size 56 = 3XL
- Size 60 = 4XL
- Size 64 = 5XL
This is the one type of jersey that I did have to size up. I typically wear a medium, so I ordered a size 40, but it was too small so I exchanged it for a 44.
Here is my original size 40 compared to a medium Hanes t-shirt. The size 40 was the medium equivalent.
As you can see, the size 40 Mitchell and Ness Authentic that I originally bought was slimmer than a Hanes medium t-shirt, expecially through the chest and stomach area. Ultimately, it was too tight and I had to return it and size up to a 44.
Mitchell & Ness has a lot of classic throwback jerseys available. This is where you can browse the entire collection of Mitchell & Ness Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). If you want to read more about these jerseys, visit our Mitchell and Ness Authentic Jersey Review.
NBA Basketball Jersey Sizes Compared to Shirts: Fanatics
Fanatics
Fanatics is an online retailer of sportswear and merchandise and currently operates the e-commerce platform for the NBA, which is NBAStore.com. In 2017, Fanatics launched the Fast Break Replica NBA jerseys to give fans another affordable option for jerseys.
- This is the current price of the Fanatics Fast Break jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
The Fanatics Fast Break jerseys are the loosest fitting NBA fan jersey. Now, this does not mean they run extremely baggy (they do not), but in comparison to the other jerseys on the market, the Fast Break jerseys are a looser fit.
(6’3″ 200 pounds size medium)
The Fast Break jerseys are fitted through the shoulders, but relaxed through the stomach and waist. For comparison, here is my medium Fast Break jersey (bottom) compared to my medium Nike Swingman jersey (top):
Here is a look at my medium Fanatics Fast Break compared to a medium Hanes T-shirt:
The Fast Break jerseys do have a drop-tail in the back for extra length.
The Fast Break jerseys are not identical in appearance to the jerseys the players wear, but these jerseys are still a very nice way to rep your favorite player or team if you are operating on a tighter budget.
This is where you can browse Fanatics Fast Break jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). NBAStore.com is the official online shop of the NBA. If you want to read more about these jerseys, visit our Fanatics Fast Break Jersey Review.
NBA Jackets Compared to Shirts
I also own the Nike Therma Flex Jacket and the Nike Courtside Jacket. The Nike Therma Flex jacket is what you see NBA players warming up with before games:
Here is mine (size medium) compared to a medium Hanes t-shirt:
The Nike Courtside jacket is a team-inspired jacket that is thicker and warmer than a track jacket, but also is lighter than a winter jacket. It is a perfect jacket for the spring and fall months:
Here is my medium Nike Courtside Jacket compared to a medium Hanes t-shirt:
This is where you can browse NBA jackets at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). Both the Courtside and the Therma Flex are very comfortable to wear. You can read more about them by visiting our individual reviews of each jacket:
Best NBA Jersey to Buy
After owning all 5 types of NBA fan jerseys discussed above, my recommendation for best NBA fan jersey is the Nike Swingman. In my opinion it has the best combination of style, comfort, and price.
It gives you a jersey that does look very similar to the players’ jerseys, but is made in such a way that keeps the price down in comparison to the Nike Authentic jerseys.
This is where you can browse the Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). If you want to read more of our NBA jersey review and comparison articles, visit our Jersey Resource Page.
Where to Buy NBA Jerseys?
Nike Swingman
Click here to buy the Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (NBAStore.com is the official online shop of the NBA). This is my favorite NBA fan jersey once you factor in price.
Nike Authentic
Click here to buy the Nike Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). These are the closest to what the players wear on the court.
Fanatics Breakaway
Click here to buy the Fanatics Fast Break replica jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). Nice affordable replica option.
Classic Throwbacks
Click here to buy a Mitchell & Ness classic throwback jersey at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). Classic jerseys from past legends.