GRIND Basketball Shark Tank Update: Is it still in business?

If you want to get better at basketball, you have to put in the work. But shooting hundreds of practice shots by yourself usually means spending more time chasing the ball than actually practicing your form.

GRIND Basketball, a company famously featured on Season 12 of the hit TV show Shark Tank, was created to solve this exact problem. Founded by former high school basketball star Thomas Fields, the company builds interactive sports equipment that makes solo practice incredibly efficient.

Their main product is the GRIND Basketball shooting machine. It is a portable, easy-to-use tool that acts like a personal rebounder and passer. But a lot has changed since the company first appeared on national television back in 2021.

This complete update looks at the brand-new features of the GRIND Machine 1.2, the true story of its founder, what really happened with the Shark Tank investors, and how much the business is worth today.

What Is the GRIND Basketball Machine?

The GRIND Basketball machine is an automated rebounding tool designed to fit under any standard residential or gym basketball hoop. It uses a massive net to catch both your missed shots and your made shots. Then, it automatically passes the ball back to you.

This automation makes solo practice incredibly fast. Because you never have to chase the ball, you can put up to 1,000 shots in a single hour.

As of today, the company sells the upgraded GRIND Machine 1.2 (also called “The Rebirth”). This model includes several major engineering improvements over the older prototype seen on TV.

GRIND Basketball Machine Key Features and Specs:

• Extremely Portable: The machine weighs exactly 110 pounds, making it about 54% lighter than most other home shooting machines on the market.
• Easy Storage: It features a patented one-bolt hinge design. When you are done playing, it folds down into a compact size measuring just 38 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 18 inches high. It easily fits into the trunk of a car or SUV.
• Fast Setup: You can fully set up or pack away the machine in just 90 seconds.
• Nine Passing Spots: The older machine only passed to five spots. The new 1.2 model passes to nine different spots around the court. You change the passing angle using a simple manual lever on the base.
• 12-Foot Net: The machine comes with a massive 12-foot-tall net made from impact-resistant bungie cords. This height forces players to shoot the ball with a high, proper arc.
• Power Supply: The machine is not battery-operated. It runs by plugging it directly into a standard U.S. electrical outlet. If you play at an outdoor park without power, you can use a portable power station (sold separately), which usually runs the machine for about an hour and a half.

How Much Does the GRIND Machine Cost?

Because of inflation and massive upgrades to the hardware, the price of the machine has changed since its television debut.

Currently, the regular retail price for the GRIND Machine 1.2 is $2,495. However, the company frequently offers a promotional sale price of $1,995 on their official website.

To make this high-level training equipment affordable for everyday families, GRIND offers a payment plan through Affirm. Buyers can finance the machine with monthly payments at rates ranging from 0% to 36% APR.

Every new machine comes with a free one-year warranty that covers wear and tear, replacement parts, and the netting. Customers who want more protection can buy extended warranties that last up to eight years. The company also offers a 30-day return policy.

The Inspiring Story Behind the Business

The story of GRIND Basketball is all about turning a terrible situation into a massive success.

The founder, Thomas Fields, was a star high school basketball player in Houston, Texas. He was ranked as a top-100 player in his city and dreamed of earning a Division 1 college scholarship to eventually play in the NBA.

Those dreams were cut short by severe injuries. During his high school career, Fields tore his ACL four different times.

Determined to rehab his knee and keep his shooting skills sharp, Fields would wake up at 5:00 a.m. to practice at his high school gym.

But there was a problem. The school owned an expensive, commercial-grade shooting machine, but the coaches locked it up and would not let him use it.

Fields realized that professional basketball training tools were way too expensive and heavy for normal kids to use at home. He decided to fix the problem himself.

In 2015, at just 19 years old, Fields went into his parents’ garage to build a portable machine. He had a friend from a local welding school teach him how to weld metal, and he taught himself mechanical engineering.

Building a machine that could pass a basketball 19 feet but still fold into a duffel bag was incredibly difficult.

After making more than 300 different prototypes and testing them over several years, he finally perfected the design. In 2020, he officially launched GRIND Inc. and began selling the product.

GRIND Basketball Machine Shark Tank Pitch: Did the Deal Close?

In May 2021, Thomas Fields walked into the Shark Tank (Season 12, Episode 23). He asked the billionaire investors for $250,000 in exchange for a 5% share of his company. This meant he believed his young business was worth $5 million.

Fields told the Sharks his inspiring life story and then gave a live demonstration. He even invited Mark Cuban onto the stage to shoot some hoops. The machine worked perfectly, catching Cuban’s missed shots and passing the ball right back to him.

The business numbers were also strong. Fields explained that he started the company with only $15,000. In just five months, without any major marketing, he had sold $215,000 worth of machines on his website.

However, some Sharks were worried. Alex Rodriguez and Mark Cuban pointed out that the profit margins were low, and they felt a $5 million valuation was too high for a brand-new hardware company.

Kevin O’Leary and Lori Greiner quickly dropped out of the negotiations.

Despite their worries, Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran loved Fields’ work ethic. They teamed up and offered him $250,000, but they demanded a massive 30% share of the company. Fields pushed back and asked if they would do the deal for 25%.

After a tense moment, Cuban and Corcoran agreed. Fields walked out of the tank with a deal: $250,000 for 25% equity.

What Happened To GRIND Basketball After the Show?

It is common for Shark Tank deals to change or fall apart once the cameras turn off and the lawyers get involved. Research confirms that the television deal with Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran never actually closed.

But losing the Sharks did not hurt the business. The exposure from being on national television caused a massive spike in sales. By the end of 2021, GRIND had completely sold out of inventory and had over $1 million in pre-orders waiting to be built.

To keep up with demand, Fields went out and raised $1.6 million in seed funding from outside investors. This money allowed the company to speed up manufacturing, fix their supply chain issues, and fulfill all of their backorders.

What is GRIND Basketball’s Net Worth?

Today, GRIND Basketball is a highly successful and active business.

According to latest financial estimates, the company generates about $1.6 million in annual revenue. Because of this steady cash flow and their unique patents, the estimated corporate net worth (valuation) of GRIND Basketball is currently $5.3 million.

The sports and tech industries have recognized this success. Founder Thomas Fields was named to the famous Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

The company also won second place in the Black Ambition Prize, a prestigious business competition created by music star Pharrell Williams to fund minority entrepreneurs.

GRIND Basketball vs. Dr. Dish and Competitors

If you are looking to buy a basketball shooting machine, you will probably compare GRIND to older, commercial brands like Dr. Dish or Shoot-A-Way.

Here is how the GRIND Machine 1.2 compares to the competition:

Feature	GRIND Machine 1.2	Commercial Machines (Dr. Dish Home / Shoot-A-Way)
Average Price	$1,995 (Sale Price)	$3,000 to $6,000+
Weight	110 pounds	300 to 450+ pounds
Technology	Mechanical lever (No app required)	Touchscreens, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi tracking
Subscription Fees	None	Often require paid monthly software memberships
Best For	Driveways, personal use, easy storage	High school gyms, colleges, permanent setups

The biggest difference is software and weight. Commercial machines track your stats on a screen, but they are incredibly heavy and very expensive.

The GRIND machine gives you the exact same physical workout, catching and passing the ball, but uses simple mechanics to keep the price low and the machine light.

More Than a Machine: New Apparel and Gear

Since their TV appearance, GRIND has grown into a complete basketball lifestyle brand. You do not have to spend two thousand dollars to support the company.

Currently, the company sells a wide range of premium athletic gear directly on their website. Their product lineup now includes:

• GRIND Premium Indoor Game Basketball: A high-quality leather ball designed for hardwood courts, priced at $89.95.
• “Eastside Train” Indoor/Outdoor Basketball: A durable ball that can survive rough driveway concrete, priced at $55.95.
• Float Jump Rope: A specialized speed rope for footwork training, available in black and rose gold for $32.00.
• Apparel: Signature crew socks, shirts, hoodies, and athletic shorts.

Mission 2030: Giving Back to Houston

Thomas Fields never forgot where he came from. He built his company in the 5th Ward of Houston, Texas, and uses his business to give back to the local community.

GRIND has launched a massive charity project called Mission 2030. The goal is to use the fun of sports to get 100 million kids interested in high-paying careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) by the year 2030.

To make this happen, the company invites kids into their warehouse to see how sports equipment is actually made. Children get to see engineers working with 3D printers, laser cutters, and robotics.

This community work has been so successful that the City of Houston officially created “GRIND Day.” Celebrated every year on August 12th, the event brings the city together for basketball tournaments, food, music, back-to-school drives, and tech scholarships.

Final Thoughts: Is GRIND Basketball Worth It?

Thomas Fields turned four terrible knee injuries into a multi-million-dollar sports brand. By refusing to give up, he built a company that finally makes elite basketball training accessible to normal players.

With the release of the updated GRIND Machine 1.2, the company has fixed early bugs and created a truly portable, reliable product. Between the $1,995 sale price and the Affirm payment plans, it is much easier for parents to invest in their child’s athletic future without going broke.

GRIND Basketball is proof that you do not always need a deal from the Shark Tank to build a massive business. With a $5.3 million net worth, a growing lineup of sports gear, and a dedication to helping kids in Houston, GRIND is one of the biggest success stories in the modern sports equipment industry.