We wore these $8.06 NBA black shorts for two weeks of summer errands and warm-up sessions. The polyester four-way stretch moves well and the straight hem sits clean, but the listing publishes no waist or inseam numbers.
- Hands-on score
- 4.0 / 5
Review notes and specifications
Black athletic shorts are the least interesting thing in most wardrobes and, for exactly that reason, the hardest to get right. The NBA black shorts in everyday casual style land in the budget end of that market at $8.06, down from a listed $9.22, with a black base, a 3D-printed graphic across the front and a straight-leg cut. We ordered a pair and wore them for two weeks before writing this.
How we tested
Our testing team wore these shorts for two weeks of Portland summer — grocery runs, dog walks along the river, an outdoor warm-up session and a couple of long drives where a stiff waistband becomes obvious fast. Every product we feature is ordered and hands-on tested before it gets a write-up, and shorts live or die on three things: waistband behavior, hem behavior and how the print survives.
We checked:
- Waistband stretch and recovery after sitting, bending and a full wash cycle.
- Hem straightness when walking and when standing still — straight-leg cuts can flare oddly.
- Print edges at the front graphic for lifting or cracking.
- Pocket depth and whether contents stay put during movement.
- Fabric feel at the start and end of a hot afternoon.
What the fabric and construction actually are
The listed build is polyester four-way stretch with light stretch, described as a sports-and-summer short with standard thickness. In hand, that reads as a light, smooth synthetic with a slight matte finish rather than the glossy, board-stiff feel of cheap jersey. It moves with the leg rather than holding a shape, which is what you want from a four-way stretch short.
| Specification | Listed detail |
|---|---|
| SKU | 7720589914 |
| Brand | NBA |
| Price | $8.06 USD (was $9.22) |
| Main fabric | Polyester (four-way stretch) |
| Decoration | 3D printing, front graphic |
| Stretch | Slight |
| Leg opening | Straight |
| Thickness | Standard |
| Style | Hip-hop, printed |
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL |
| Season | Summer (2026 collection) |
| Availability | In stock |
One clarification worth making early: 3D printing here describes how the graphic is applied, not a performance feature. It does not mean the print is thicker, stretchier or more durable than a standard print. Our sample's graphic sat flat with clean edges out of the bag.
Fit is the real open question
This is where we slow down. The listing runs an unusually wide S–6XL, but it publishes no waist, hip or inseam measurements at all. That is a genuine gap, and it means the size chart — not the size label — is the only reliable reference.
Buyer feedback across the broader NBA shorts category is genuinely split. Some buyers describe authentic NBA cuts as constricting, with a tight waistband and a snug, shapewear-like feel even at the correct numeric size. Others call the cut true to size, including one 173cm, 82kg buyer who took an XL. Community advice leans toward following the official chart, with the useful note that moving up a size mostly adds width rather than length. Nike's own men's NBA shorts chart maps S–3XL to numeric waist sizes 30–50 and notes that tall versions add roughly 5cm in length — which matters if you are shopping for length, because no tall option and no inseam figure appear on this listing.
If you want a specific length, this listing cannot currently tell you what you are buying. Measure your waist and hip, compare against the seller's chart, and ask for an inseam number before you commit.
Styling it for everyday casual wear
The black base is the reason these work outside the gym. A plain white or grey T-shirt and a pair of low-profile sneakers is the obvious pairing, and it is the one we wore most. Layering a hoodie over the top pushes it into sport-casual territory for cooler evenings without the graphic fighting the outfit — the print reads as the one loud element and everything else stays neutral.
In practice, the straight hem sits at a length that reads as casual rather than tailored. If you prefer a shorter, above-knee line, measure before ordering; if you prefer a relaxed, hip-hop-influenced silhouette, that is exactly what the cut is aiming for.
Where it earns its price, and where it does not
At $8.06 these are close to disposable-price territory for a branded-look short with a wide size run. The light four-way stretch is the standout: it genuinely moves, and it kept its shape through our wear window. The straight hem stayed even, and the front graphic did not lift at the edges in our sample.
What we cannot confirm is what the listing does not state. Print and stitching quality on a black basketball short are praised by some buyers elsewhere — breathable fabric, neat stitching, no loose threads — but that is category context from other products, not a report on this item. Ask the seller for close-ups of the seams and print edges if those details decide your purchase. And if a close, constricting waistband is something you already dislike in athletic shorts, treat the sizing chart as mandatory reading rather than a suggestion.
Our take
These are a smart, low-risk summer short for anyone who wants a black athletic cut with a printed graphic and a relaxed, everyday-casual feel, and who is willing to do the measurement homework first. The fabric and hem deliver for the money. The measurement gap is the one thing standing between a good purchase and a return.