Basketball return apparatus

A basketball return apparatus for collecting and returning basketballs shot at a basketball hoop back to a shooter, the apparatus comprising:

• a L-shaped frame having a back portion and a base portion, the back portion having an upper end adapted to mount on a rim support bracket of the basketball hoop without additional support and center and stabilize the frame with respect to the basketball hoop, the back portion having side members that connect to the upper end and extending generally vertically downward to connect to the base portion, the base portion defining an orifice through which shot basketballs can descend, wherein when the frame is positioned on the basketball hoop the frame is positioned entirely forward of and does not extend around or over the backboard to mount thereon and the back portion of the frame is located behind a rim of the basketball hoop, the vertical members are spaced apart from one another on opposite sides of the rim, and the base portion is positioned below and generally aligned with the rim;
• a net that is attached to the base portion of the frame to form a funnel shaped enclosure having an open top end and an open end bottom, the open top end having a larger area than the open bottom end, the enclosure directing shot basketballs downward to the base portion and extending to a height above the rim;
• and
• a ball return mechanism solely supported by and mounted to the frame so as to pivot with respect thereto, the ball return mechanism disposed generally below the orifice and net to direct shot basketballs back to the shooter at variable court locations.