Why do some basketball players still wear high-top shoes?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Player comfort and tradition
Player comfort and tradition ✓ — Correct! Research shows high-tops don't actually prevent ankle injuries—a 2020-21 NBA study found no difference in injury rates. Only 6% of NBA players now wear high-tops (61% wear low-tops). Those who still choose them do so for personal comfort and tradition dating back to the 1920s. Players like Kobe Bryant switched to low-tops for better court feel.
Proven to prevent all ankle injuries — Wrong. Research doesn't support this. Multiple studies found no significant reduction in ankle injury rates between high-top and low-top wearers. Ankle injuries depend more on ankle strength, landing technique, and court conditions than shoe height.
Required by basketball rules — Wrong. No basketball league requires high-tops. Many professional players wear low-tops or mid-tops. Kobe Bryant famously switched to low-tops, arguing they offered better court feel and mobility.