What does swingman mean?
A swingman jersey is Nike's fan-tier NBA jersey. Nike lists it as the "Dri-FIT NBA Swingman Jersey" and describes it as inspired by what the pros wear on the hardwood, from squad details to lightweight, sweat-wicking mesh. It is the line most fans meet first.
Swingman vs Authentic
The Authentic is Nike's "Dri-FIT ADV NBA Authentic Jersey". Nike says it matches what the players wear, with team details and sweat-wicking fabric with plenty of stretch, designed for play at the highest level.
| Swingman | Authentic | |
|---|---|---|
| Nike's name | Dri-FIT NBA Swingman Jersey | Dri-FIT ADV NBA Authentic Jersey |
| How Nike frames it | Inspired by what the pros wear | Matches what the players wear |
| Fabric | Lightweight, sweat-wicking mesh | Sweat-wicking fabric with plenty of stretch |
| Sizes seen | Men's and big kids' | Men's |
| Editions | Icon, City and others | Icon, City and others |
| Best for | Everyday wear, kids, first jersey | Fans who want the closest match to on-court |
How to tell them apart
- Read the title: "Swingman" or "Authentic" is in the product name, and Authentic carries "Dri-FIT ADV".
- Check the edition: Icon and City designs exist in both lines, so the edition alone does not tell you the tier.
- Read the description: "inspired by what the pros wear" is Swingman; "matches what the players wear" is Authentic.
Fit and sizing
Nike publishes one NBA & WNBA jersey size chart, with numeric sizes from 36 to 58, so use your chest measurement and the chart rather than guessing from a T-shirt size. Our NBA size chart and finder does the lookup. If you layer underneath, size up.
Editor's note: Nike's descriptions don't state how the numbers are applied on either line, so we don't either. Check the listing photos and details.
