Let’s begin by examining the shorter pole on the Pro Dunk systems. The only benefit to using a shorter pole is to save on cost of materials and shipping for the manufacturer. The shorter pole forces the use of longer board arms, which actually weakens the entire system. Using such a long arm also causes excessive vibration, twisting, and side to side movement, which in turn diminishes the playability of the goal. The Goalrilla goal uses a full size 10 foot pole. This lets the arms be mounted higher on the pole and allows for shorter arms and less vibration. Shorter arms also stop the side to side movement and twisting of the backboard, giving you a rock solid play. Another big issue with the long board arms is encroachment on your driveway. To combat this, Pro Dunk will recommend a goal that fits the size of your driveway or playing area. They do this because of the excessive overhang the long arms create. When you crank a Prod Dunk goal down, it is going to consume half of your driveway. Since the goals go lower than the ASTM recommended 7.5 feet, your kids are also going to leave it in a lowered position and you, or your friend, or a delivery driver, are going to be likely to back into it. With a Goalrilla hoop you’re going to have ZERO DRIVEWAY ENCROACHMENT. The goal conforms to ASTM safety standards and goes no lower than 7.5 feet, and since Goalrilla uses a full size post there is no need for the excessive arm length that causes the encroachment on your driveway. Goalrilla goals were designed with all of this in mind. They were designed for you, the customer. Put simply, if everyone could get away with having a quality in-ground basketball hoop with a 2 foot pole they would, because it would dramatically cut down on shipping costs, but they can’t, and 10 feet is the standard for quality play.

Every year the ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) does a basketball safety review. The lowered height of the goal is always their biggest concern. Almost all basketball related dental, head, and neck injuries are from hoops that go lower than the ASTM standard of 7.5 feet. With safety in mind, ALL Goalrilla goals conform to ASTM standards and will go no lower than 7.5 feet, greatly reducing the possibility of these type of injuries. This is very important and with most safety-minded goals, this is a standard feature.

Next, let’s look at the backboard of the Pro Dunk goal. Pro Dunk uses an aluminum frame for their backboards. Aluminum is weaker than an all-steel frame. Aluminum framework is capable of flexing and can even permanently deform, causing exposed glass and/or failure. Since the aluminum is inherently weak, an independent steel frame bolted to the aluminum frame is needed on the Pro Dunk goal to mount the backboard to the arms. Goalrilla uses a full steel frame with a radius edged aluminum frame around the perimeter of the goal. The Goalrilla glass is sandwiched between the metal frame. It is attached to the steel frame using an ASTM approved 3M branded two sided tape. This application allows for a more consistent transfer of force into the supporting frame and makes for a better playing system.

The rim mounting systems on Pro Dunk and Goalrilla are very different. On the Pro Dunk system, there is no cut out of glass on the backboard, which means the rim is mounted right on top of the glass. This, in turn means that all of the force that is applied to the rim is transferred right to the glass. This can cause the Pro Dunk backboard to shatter under not just aggressive, but even normal play. All of the Goalrilla systems feature a cutout in the glass so the rim is mounted directly to a steel plate and never to the glass. This ensures that no excessive force is applied to the glass, therefore preventing breakage or shattering of the glass.

Goalrilla has made sure to design their goals with well placed welds and minimized the use of exposed bolts. They also offer clean welds at the base of the post Looking at the Pro Dunk goal reveals many exposed bolt threads, and the base of the basketball goal and extension arms have severe weld splatters and are very messy.

Pro Dunk does not provide installation manuals with the purchase of their basketball systems. The customer is responsible for printing this manual off of their website. Goalrilla provides a printed in-depth installation manual with every goal. Manuals for all Goalrilla products can be found on our website.

The Pro Dunk basketball goal was delivered unpackaged, devoid of any covering to protect the exterior gloss paint in transit. In fact, the gloss paint had already chipped away and began the rusting process. Goalrilla uses a superior packaging method that utilizes styrofoam, cardboard, and plastic covering to protect the goal while in transit.

Pro Dunk’s nuts, bolts, and measurements are in metric units. Goalrilla’s hardware is in US customary units.

The Pro Dunk actuator handle is permanently fixed and non removable. Anyone could walk up to the goal and adjust it without permission. Goalrilla’s actuator handle is removable so you can set the goal at a desired height and remove the handle. If the goal is in a commercial setting, you can set the goal at 10 feet, remove the handle, and the goal becomes fixed at regulation height.

Due to the lack of packaging, the Pro Dunk Hoops post was blemished by the cardboard box, presumably during delivery/transit. Goalrilla used styrofoam padding to ensure the pole was protected during transit, and was delivered without any noticeable blemishes.

As you can see in the photos below, the Goalrilla base pad is much larger and thicker than its Pro Dunk counterpart.

Pro Dunk used small pieces of styrofoam between the backboard and cardboard box, as well as minimal packaging for a large piece of tempered glass. Goalrilla used large pieces of cardboard to line the top and bottom of the backboard to protect the aluminum framing. Goalrilla also used the base pad to protect the glass of the backboard in transit.