From the blog
Tutorials, guides, and comparisons to help you build with Highlightly.
General
Building an NBA and NCAA Player App with a Single API
Build basketball applications using one NBA and NCAA data source. Access player profiles, season statistics, and other metrics.
Comparison
Best Sport APIs in 2026
Compare features, pricing, and coverage across the most popular providers.
Comparison
Best NBA APIs in 2026
Looking for an NBA API in 2026? A straightforward breakdown of the most commonly used options, what they offer, and how pricing works.
Frequently asked questions
What basketball leagues does the API cover?
The NBA API provides full NBA coverage including regular season, playoffs, finals, Play-In Tournament, and NBA Cup. It also covers 35+ NCAA Division I conferences such as the ACC, Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, Big East, Pac-12, and many more, including March Madness and conference tournaments.
Is there a free plan?
Yes. The Basic plan is completely free with 100 requests per day. It includes live scores, match data, standings, lineups, player stats, highlights, odds, and bookmakers. No credit card required.
What types of highlights are available?
The API provides game recaps, top plays, buzzer beaters, post-game interviews, and press conferences. Video sources are verified and typically added within 0 to 48 hours after a game. Some clips may be available in near real time during live games.
How fast is the live data?
Live scores and game events update in near real time. Lineups are available as soon as they are confirmed, typically a few hours before tip-off. Box scores update every minute during live games.
What player statistics are available?
The API provides player profiles with draft info, per-season statistics covering offense (points, assists, field goals, 3-pointers, free throws), defense (steals, blocks, rebounds), and general metrics (minutes, games, fouls, player rating). Per-game box scores are also available.
Can I use this alongside other sport APIs?
Yes. The NBA API works independently. You can subscribe to it alongside any other Highlightly sport API. Each subscription is separate, so you only pay for the sports you need.
What is the difference between Highlightly and RapidAPI?
Both platforms offer identical API features. Highlightly provides up to 40% annual discounts and cryptocurrency payments. RapidAPI offers credit card billing and a familiar developer dashboard. Accounts are not synchronised between platforms.
