Pros

Stable, tempered glass 60″ backboard, one-piece 5-inch square pole, 3-foot overhang, lifetime warranty

Cons

No pole padding

Overall Rating

The 98862 is one of three basketball systems produced by Mammoth Basketball. It features a 60″ tempered glass backboard, a 5-inch square pole, and a 3 foot overhang from the pole to the backboard. The adjustment ranges from 7.5-10 feet in infinite increments with the use of a handle assist mechanism. The Spring Flex Rim features a support brace that wraps around the rim. An anchor mount is used for installation. The 98862 is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

What To Like

• Stable. In-ground hoops provide the best stability. Plus, the heavy tempered glass backboard and 5-inch square pole make it that much more sturdy.
• Tempered glass backboard. Tempered glass is the best of the best, as it’s used in the college and pro ranks. This backboard is 3/8 inches thick, which is pretty close to regulation size (1/2″).
• 60″ backboard. The next biggest size is 72″, which is as big as it gets. What I like about 60″ is that it’s not too big for an average sized, 2 car driveway. Certainly 72″ is ideal, but you would need to have a dedicated playing area because it’s so big.
• Heavy-duty breakaway rim. It looks like a rim you would see in an arena, though it doesn’t break at the sides like the professional ones. Nonetheless, it’s 5/8 inches thick and gives players the freedom to dunk as hard as they want.
• 3-foot overhang. This provides plenty of space so players don’t bump into the pole, while also having more room for play behind the basket.
• Gas assisted mechanism. The hoop raises and lowers with the help of gas springs. A customer noted that his leaked after 5 years. The advantage with gas assisted mechanisms is that they’re easier to adjust than their manual counterparts. The downside of course is that they aren’t as durable.
• One piece 5-inch square pole. The one-piece pole is the most stable, and square ones are more stable than their round counterparts. 5-inches is thick enough for a 60″ backboard.
• Anchor mount installation. This is the best in-ground installation because the pole can be removed from the anchor.
• Limited lifetime warranty. I don’t know what’s covered and what isn’t, but you have to love this as a customer.

Our Mammoth Hoop 7 Years Later (Still in Great Condition)

Reviews from Around the Web

Amazon.com: 5 Stars – ‘I’m thoroughly impressed’

Amazon.com: 5 Stars – ‘The Company Stood behind their 7 year warranty’

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What Not To Like

• No pole padding. You would think that a basketball hoop priced over $100 would have padding? Not a huge deal, but the padding makes it more safe and gives it more of a professional look. If you want padding, here is one that fits 5-inch poles: Pole and Gusset Pad.

Summary

The Mammoth 98862 performs as a premium basketball hoop should. The tempered glass, 60″ backboard, the 3-foot overhang, and the 5-inch square pole are big pluses. In comparison to the Mammoth 98856, which is a few hundred dollars less, the backboard is 6-inches wider and it has an overhang a 1/2 ft. longer. I think this model is worth the extra money.

For the Cheapest Price, Most Customer Support and best Return Policy we Recommend Amazon.com for your basketball hoop purchase. Orders processed Through Amazon.com

Pros

Tempered glass backboard, 1-piece 5″ square pole, 2.5 foot overhang, anchor bolt installation

Cons

54″ inch backboard, no pole padding, installation requires time and effort

Overall Rating

The 98856 is one of three basketball systems sold by Mammoth. It features a 3/8-inch thick tempered glass backboard, a 5-inch square pole, and a spring flex rim. A handle assist mechanism is used to to raise or lower the hoop between 7.5-10 feet. The overhang is 30-inches, which is the distance from the pole to the backboard. It’s installed using an anchor mount. The 98856 is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Dimensions: 4.4 x 37.6 x 6.3 inches ; 86 pounds.

What To Like

• Stable. In-ground systems are best for performance because they don’t wobble or move like most portable models. I think they also have the most professional look compared to the other types. To a basketball purist, this is the only way to go.
• Tempered glass backboard. This is the same material that is used for hoops in gymnasiums throughout the world, including college and the NBA. It won’t suffer any wear and tear unlike other materials such as acrylic, plus it’s way more sturdy. Because it’s a lot heavier, it’s much more resistant to movement. If you want performance, tempered glass is the only way to go. At 3/8 inches thick, it matches what most hoops have. Only the most expensive kinds have are 1/2″ thick.
• Pro-style rim. This is pretty much a given for a hoop like this, but a breakaway rim allows players to dunk with authority. Plus, it rewards players who have very good touch on their shots.
• 1-piece 5″ square pole. The one piece, square pole is the most sturdy combination. 5″ is about right considering the price, and is superior to what you’ll find with lesser quality models. The thicker the pole, the better it will play. The thickest pole I have seen is 8-inches that I saw on the Spalding 88724AAP.
• 2.5 foot overhang. Regulation overhang from the baseline to the backboard is 4 feet. For recreational purposes, 2.5 feet is sufficient. It gives players enough room to play behind the backboard and avoid bumping into the pole. If you want more of an overhang, it will cost you. The Goalrilla GLR GS I has a 4 foot overhang, but costs about $800 more.
• Anchor mount installation. This is the best type of installation for in-grounds because it can be removed, unlike direct burials.

What Not To Like

• 54″ backboard. It’s not that 54″ is too small, but for $1000 I would like to have a 60″. I say that because there are 60″ models in this price range. I certainly wouldn’t go lower than this size though.
• No pole padding. Not the end of the world, but this is an underrated feature for basketball hoops. It provides optimal safety and also gives it a more professional look. They are not exactly cheap either. Here is one that fits 5-inch poles: Pole and Gusset Pad.
• Installation. This is not an indictment on the hoop at all, but heavy-duty inground hoops require the most effort to install. It involves digging a huge hole in the ground, followed by pouring cement. You will also need probably at least 3 men to help with the assembly. Of course, you could always pay someone to do for you.

Reviews from Around the Web

Amazon.com: 5 Stars – ‘I recommend this goal to families with children….’

Summary

The Mammoth 98856 is ideal for those who want an above average basketball system for their home. The tempered glass provides optimal performance, as does the thick 5-inch pole and the pro-style rim. The complaints are very minor, and don’t relate at all to how it performs. If it had a larger backboard, I would have probably given it 4.5 stars. If you are looking for an in-ground system around $1000, this is definitely one to consider.

For the Cheapest Price, Most Customer Support and best Return Policy we Recommend Amazon.com for your basketball hoop purchase. Orders processed Through Amazon.com