Why do NBA players wear black tape on their jerseys?
Daniel Moore
Published Jan 11, 2026
It turns out that when a black stripe is worn on the shoulder area of an NBA Jersey, it is usually to pay tribute to an iconic figure in basketball who has passed away. Many times we will see a team wear the stripe to pay homage to an important player or person within the organization.
What is the black tape NBA players wear?
Elastic therapeutic tape, also called kinesiology tape or kinesiology therapeutic tape, Kinesio tape, k-tape, or KT is an elastic cotton strip with an acrylic adhesive that is purported to ease pain and disability from athletic injuries and a variety of other physical disorders.
Why do basketball players tape their jerseys?
His question was answered by Redditor [DEN] Nikola Jokic, who is, by the way, not the NBA player. Players tape up the sleeves to allow more movement, just like in the real game where they don sleeveless jerseys: “You mean taping up a Jersey like that? Freedom of movement, if I had to guess.”
Why do basketball players wear black tape on shoulders?
The tape was invented by Japanese chiropractor Kenzo Kase in the 1970s. The U.K. web site for Kinesio tape claims it can alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, relax muscles, enhance performance, and help with rehabilitation as well as supporting muscles during a sporting event.
Why are NBA players wearing black bands?
All NBA players and referees will wear a black band on their uniforms to honor former NBA commissioner David Stern, who died earlier this week, the league announced on Friday. Stern died as a result of a brain hemorrhage he suffered three weeks earlier. He was 77.
33 related questions foundWhy do the Phoenix Suns have a black band?
This past January, Westphal passed away following a battle with brain cancer. To honour his legendary impact, the Suns have worn a black band on the left shoulder of their jerseys throughout the 2020-21 NBA season.
What does EB mean on Lakers jersey?
Baylor was an 11-time All-Star and one of the first Laker greats. Playing against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night, the Lakers took to the court with a jersey stripe honouring Baylor. His initials 'EB' are displayed above the jersey sponsor.
Why do basketball players wear wrist tape?
Wrists, fingers, and other joints can get pinched or bent the wrong way. The athletic tape will support the player's wrists in the case of sudden contact. Soccer players also fall from being slide tackled or getting their shins kicked.
Why do basketball players tape their knees?
By helping to increase blood flow in the injured area, athletic tape decreases swelling which alleviates pain. The elasticity of the athletic tape can also serve as support for the affected muscles. It naturally goes back to its original position, which takes some of the workload off of the athlete's muscle.
Why does harden wear tape?
Houston Rockets' James Harden recently signed with KT Tape as an Athlete Endorser. He regularly wears KT Tape during games to prevent injuries and relieve pain. Throughout his career, Harden has suffered shoulder and knee injuries, but has lost little game play.
Why do basketball players wear things on their arms?
Why do Basketball Players Wear Sleeves on Their Arms? Most basketball players wear arm sleeves to keep their arm muscles warm, which helps prevent injury and soreness. Arm sleeves became popular among basketball players around 20 years ago, thanks to former NBA star Allen Iverson.
What is the black line on the Suns jersey?
All 30 NBA teams will wear black bands on their jerseys for the remainder of the 2019-20 season as a tribute to former Commissioner David Stern, Casey Holdahl of the Portland Trail Blazers' official site reported Wednesday. The league announced Wednesday Stern had died after he suffered a brain hemorrhage on Dec. 12.
Does muscle tape do anything?
Unlike white medical or athletic tape, kinesiology tape lets you move normally. In fact, some studies show that it can enhance movement and endurance. Studies on athletes have shown that when kinesiology tape is used on fatigued muscles, performance improves.
Why do athletes put tape on their arms?
It's called kinesio (or just 'k') tape. Athletes use the tape as a kind of elastic brace that they say helps relieve pain. The tape and technique were developed by Kenso Kase thirty years ago in Japan. Since then, many companies have developed similar adhesive tapes and they are in something of a marketing war.
Why do footballers tape ankles?
Spatting is mainly performed to help players lessen the risk of rolling or twisting their ankles during gameplay. In fact, a player or an athletic trainer might even use so much tape that it looks like a small leg cast!
Why do athletes tape their fingers?
Even those with strong fingers are still prone to finger injuries due to the impacts and falls that commonly occur during football games. Taping the fingers helps to prevent these injuries by providing extra padding and preventing the fingers from moving past their normal range of motion during a fall or other impact.
Why do athletes tape their ankles?
Initially, an athletic trainer may tape your ankle to help reduce the swelling that often occurs right after an injury. Later, taping the ankle provides the external stabilization that your stretched ligaments (tissues connecting bone to bone) need while they heal.
Why are Lakers purple?
After Cooke sold the Lakers to Dr. Jerry Buss in 1979, the color became known in the team's media guide as “royal purple.” To be clear, the hue itself was unchanged. In 2001, the tone abdicated its throne and became known subsequently as simply “purple.”
What is an earned jersey?
Since taking over the NBA jersey contract in 2017, Nike has made it a part of their deal to reward an additional “earned” jersey to the teams who made the playoffs from the previous season.
How is on the NBA logo?
The current NBA logo is one of the most famous images in sports leagues. However, its history and archetypes are so far a little-known fact. Who is on the NBA logo? Los Angeles Lakers star Jerry West served as the model for the NBA logo that Alan Siegel created in 1969.
What do compression sleeves do in basketball?
Arm sleeves provide compression that reduces swelling, increases blood flow, and reduces fatigue. Few basketball players, and most athletes for that matter, play injury free. Many shooting guards have chronic Shooter's Elbow, a made up term to describe the effects of tendonitis.
What is the blue stripe on Bucks jersey?
Two of the biggest changes include a blue stripe on the jerseys to represent the blue-collar work ethic of the city and state and the word "Milwaukee" across the chest on the away jerseys for the first time since 1977.
Why are the Celtics wearing 24 on their jersey?
In Los Angeles, Jerry West was called "Mr. Clutch," and he was, but in the seventh game of a championship series, I'll take Sam over any player who's ever walked on a court." On March 9, 1969, nearly two months before Jones hung up his sneakers for good, the Celtics retired his No. 24 jersey to TD Garden rafters.
Can you shower with KT tape on?
You can exercise and shower with the tape on without any problems. However, we do not recommend swimming with the K-Tape on because chemicals in pool water can deteriorate the adhesive and loosen the tape.
Can you shower with kinesiology tape?
Stay out of the heat: Kinesiology tape is heat-activated, but it's also water-resistant. So, while a hot tub soak or hot shower won't affect the tape, dry heat can change the chemical properties of the tape, making it sticky and hard to remove. You can still wear it outside in the summertime without worry.