Do NBA Players Wear Cups?
Do NBA Players Wear Cups? No. NBA players usually DO NOT wear cups. This is mainly because NBA players don’t get hit in the groin too often. NBA players also tend to feel restricted and uncomfortable when they wear protective cups.
What Are Cups?
Cups are used to protect a player’s groin area from injury. They can be worn in compression shorts or sport-specific briefs.
Cups are hard outer shells lined with padding and usually consists of a waistband that holds the cup in place.
There are multiple variation of protective cups. For example, some have a hard exterior with soft linings. There also some soft cups that are flexible and comfortable, which is made for more low contact sports.
Cups are usually made of hard plastic or steel and also made for ventilation.
Cups that have straps are often referred to as athletic supporters or jockstraps.
Are Cups Necessary For NBA Players?
Cups are not necessary for NBA players.
Protective cups are more for high contact sports and sports with speedy objects (ex. hockey). Sports that usually use cups include hockey, football, baseball, rugby, lacrosse, soccer, and mixed martial arts.
Jockstraps are best for sports that involve running and jostling but not necessarily contact with a projectile or other players.
Basketball is a physical sport but doesn’t include being physical in the lower portion of your body. NBA players don’t experience groin injuries often.
Why Don’t NBA Players Wear Cups?
Despite the safety benefits of cups, most NBA players don’t wear them because they are uncomfortable.
The cups are too bulky and obtrusive for NBA players. NBA players are constantly moving and changing directions. When a player wears the cup, it’s harder for them to perform certain actions and compete at a high level.
NBA players have said that the cup is too restrictive. Other professional athletes from other sports have avoided the cup. For example, some pro football players have said the protective cup restricts their playing ability and speed.
According to Dr. Stephen Strup, the chief of urology at the University of Kentucky, who explains:
“the discomfort of wearing a cup isn’t worth it given the minimal risk of getting hit in the nether regions. There isn’t enough of an issue to wear a cup. It’s hard to generate enough pressure for major injuries to occur in basketball. You see the guys go out, they’re uncomfortable and they can’t function a little bit, but usually they’re back in a few minutes.”
via ESPN
Injuries to the Groin
Even though most players have spoken against wearing a cup, there are a few rare instances where a player has suffered a serious injury to the groin.
For example, Manu Ginobili, who once played for the San Antonio Spurs, had to undergo testicular surgery after being inadvertently kneed in the groin by Ryan Anderson. Ginobili had to be sidelined almost a month. That is alot of missed time for a groin injury and does not happen frequently. However, Ginobili’s injury was so severe that he decided to wear a cup for the rest of the season.
Ginobili speaks about the injury:
“Usually when that happens, it hurts for a little bit. And then after three minutes, you’re back at it,” Ginobili said. “It was three minutes, five minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, an hour, an hour and a half, and I was still in the same level of pain. So when we got to the clinic, once we did an MRI, [the doctors said], ‘We need the surgery, and it’s got to be right now.’ When they told me it was going to take a month or a month and a half, unbelievable. It was a very unfortunate situation. It was a perfect storm for this type of thing.”
Furthermore, when a player intentionally hits another player, the NBA takes it very seriously.
Hitting another player in the groin may end in an ejection from the game after a review from league officials. It also can result in a fine and possible suspension by the league.
One of the players in the NBA who was infamous for kicking another player in the groin is Draymond Green, who plays for the Golden State Warriors. Draymond Green often kicks out his legs when he gets fouled when attempting a shot. During the 2016 playoffs, Green was fouled by Adams on a drive to the basket and kicked Adams in the groin area after attempting a shot.
There can also be an instance where the basketball may hit another player’s groin from a pass. This doesn’t happen often but the most recent incident is Lebron James making a bad pass and hitting D’Angelo Russell in the groin.
Conclusion
Wearing a cup provides alot of safety benefits but most NBA player don’t wear cups. Wearing a cup is too restrictive and uncomfortable for NBA players.
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