Why do Basketball Players Shave their Legs?

[SevereUpInHere]

I always thought it was to do with how often they get massages etc.
Also i assume nearly every player straps their ankles before they play. no point just shaving your ankles and having a hairline...

[Knicks101]

It makes them aerodynamic when they fight.

[GiveItToBurrito]

This was posted in another thread, and never thought I'd use it twice, but it suits this perfectly.






Every heterosexual males reaction this tragedy of a thread.

Pretty dumb thread, but I love that gif.

btw, I don't think they do, I think that a lot of players are black guys who are just naturally not very hairy. I never really noticed the white guys, although I can't think of anyone who's really hairy and plays basketball or any sport for that matter. Who knows.

[Clocian-IGN]

It's like srsly, who asks why players shave their legs? were you just sitting on the couch thinking "yum look at those juicy chicken legs, what I would do to....wait a sec, why dont they have no hair!"

[rezznor]

this was my reacticion

i believe you guys are putting too much into this. jumping higher and running faster?? in a sport like swimming, where the difference between 1st and 2nd place are 0.000001 i could see how that matters, but how much higher could one jump with leg hair compared to those who dont have leg hair?

and if they shaved to jump higher and run faster then what would be the point of some of them wearing double-sock, sleeves, etc (not the gear that matters like ankle braces i mean the unnecessary things)?

dude. i was kidding. i thought it was obvious.

[jstern]

It's like srsly, who asks why players shave their legs? were you just sitting on the couch thinking "yum look at those juicy chicken legs, what I would do to....wait a sec, why dont they have no hair!"

I never noticed it until this friend of mine told me back in 98. I didn't believe him, but then I saw he was right. After 12 years I'm like "Wtf do they shave their legs." Might as well find out why. Don't get why anyone would think it's gay to want to know the answer to something that seems odd, unless they're insecure like Tim Hardaway.

[Rowe]

I tried it and its a noticeable difference for sports.

More hair = More sweat

You have more hair below your waist than on your head. When those hairs get wet with sweat it is noticeable in comparison to having shaved legs. When your legs are shaved the sweat cools your skin, when your legs are hairy it makes the hairs heavier.

Its the same reason why most basketball players dont wear dreads in comparison to football. The more hair you have the more you sweat
.

[Tha Catalyst]

I have been told because for strapping and if they fall and slide along the court hair is more likely to tear their skin up. That is why cyclists have shaved legs.

[Hibachi!]

i think its also for when they get their ankles taped

[Heilige]

[Micku]

I tried it and its a noticeable difference for sports.

More hair = More sweat

Like Steve Nash chest hair. Eww.

[jstern]

I have been told because for strapping and if they fall and slide along the court hair is more likely to tear their skin up. That is why cyclists have shaved legs.

That's what I've thinking. But why also their arm pits then?

[Clocian-IGN]

you dudes are crazy

[Lebron23]

aerodynamics. less wind resistance so they can jump higher and run faster. much like why swimmers shave their body and head.

This

[DuMa]

so they can get the jump ball tip. jump ball tipping is the main reason