NBA Hoop Troop

Review

Common Sense Media says

Young basketball fans rejoice: This site's for you.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that NBA Hoop Troop is a basketball fan site loaded with quality content for kids who love to play the game and watch NBA games. Kids can learn how to throw a perfect chest pass, play games (like matching NBA stars' baby pictures to their grown-up likenesses), build their own "Amazing Arena," or check the latest stats of a favorite player or team. On the downside, there are a lot of ads here and, let's face it, the entire site is one big ad for the NBA targeted at kids who, on the younger end of the recommended site ages (6 to 12), may not understand that.

  • Positive messages4
    Lots of ways to get kids into the nuances of the game of basketball and encourage them to play the sport in real life. Fun, clean news and information about NBA basketball teams and players. No trash talk, no reports of NBA players getting into trouble.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism4
    You can't buy anything directly here, but the basis of the site is clearly advertising professional basketball and promoting team brand loyalty. There are also a lot of ads for shows on Cartoon Network (one of the site's sponsors), video games, and other kid-directed products. In addition, kids earn points by watching videos and playing games to "buy" virtual stuff to decorate their own online basketball arena.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety4
    Kids don't have to register to play the games and watch videos here. But if they do want to earn points and get other stuff as members, the site only collects date of birth, parent's email and a screen name. Parents automatically receive a monthly email update about their kids' activities on the site. Kids under 13 need a parent's permission to complete registration.
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Is it any good?

 

NBA Hoop Troop celebrates all that's good about the sport and leaves out the bad behavior and trash talk. Despite the heavy focus on team promotion and ads, this site is still a very worthwhile place for young basketball fans -- both boys and girls -- to watch videos, play games, and read all about the sport. One of the really cool things about this site is that it includes video tutorials that picture female players as the instructors, and it has a partnership with the WNBA (although the NBA is clearly the star of the show). There's even a "shot list" for kids to print off and try to complete in real life, helping kids get active.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how playing sports -- not just watching professionals play them -- can help keep your entire family healthy and happy. Print off the shot sheet on this site and have a friendly competition at the nearest basketball court.

  • Ask your child what they think about their favorite NBA players' behavior and attitude on and off the court. Are they good role models? What players show particularly good sportsmanship and character? What about the players who aren't making the best choices in life? Read Common Sense Media's advice for parents When Good Role Models Go Bad.

This review was written by Dana Villamagna

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by Dana Villamagna
Topics:sports and martial arts
Genre:Fan Sites
This review was written by Dana Villamagna

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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