Trae Young’s Secret Weapon? Zamst Ankle Braces Keeping Ice Trae on the Court

When you think of Trae Young, nicknamed Ice Trae for his unflappable composure and fearless shotmaking, you imagine deep threes, crafty assists, and lightning-quick changes of direction. But beneath those highlight-moment plays, there’s a less flashy but crucial defender of his performance: ankle support specifically, the use of ankle braces, like those from Zamst in particular the A2-DX. This type of ankle brace can reduce risk of ankle sprains and/or decrease the severity of an ankle sprain. 

The Reality of Ankle Injuries in Basketball

Basketball demands explosive cuts, pivots, and landings, putting the ankle joint under tremendous stress. For every step Trae Young makes to cross over a defender or pull up from deep, there’s risk. Once a player suffers an ankle sprain, the chances of recurrence rise, and lingering instability or pain can sap agility and confidence. For a dynamic point guard, even a minor ankle injury can throw off balance, footwork, and explosiveness.

What the Research Says: Evidence for Ankle Braces

Thankfully, there is solid evidence that ankle braces work. One standout study is “The Effect of Lace-up Ankle Braces on Injury Rates in High School Basketball Players” by McGuine, Brooks, and Hetzel (2011).  

  • In this randomized controlled trial, 1,460 male and female high school basketball players were divided into two groups: one worn lace-up ankle braces, the other did not.  
  • • The incidence of acute ankle injuries in the braced group was 0.47 per 1,000 exposures, versus 1.41 per 1,000 exposures in the control group—a roughly 70% reduction in injury risk.  
  • Notably, this protective effect held both for players with a prior ankle injury and those without. 
  • • Injury severity (how many days lost) did not differ significantly between those with braces and those without—meaning, braces reduce how often ankle sprains happen, even if once one does happen, it still might sideline you similarly.  

This study strongly supports the idea that external ankle support via brace use helps prevent sprains, especially in athletes doing rapid lateral movement and jumping just like what Trae Young does night in and night out.

 

Why Zamst Ankle Braces Might Be Trae’s Edge

  • Stability without too much bulk: Zamst braces are designed to provide mechanical support (to limit dangerous inversion or rolling of the ankle) while still allowing enough mobility for a quick guard to operate.
  • Proactive protection: Instead of waiting for a recurrence of ankle injury or relying purely on rehabilitation, using braces proactively helps protect Trae during those high-risk plays: cross-overs, step-backs, sudden stops.
  • Confidence in the movement: When your ankle feels supported, you hesitate less. That split-second hesitation can make the difference between a successful drive and a rolled ankle.

The Bigger Picture: Durability & Longevity

For Trae Young, the goal isn’t just one spectacular play it’s maintaining elite performance over entire seasons. Regular ankle sprains can lead to chronic instability, reducing career span or limiting peak performance. By using braces and investing in support, he reduces risk of reinjury, speeds up return when tweaks happen, and ensures each game he’s fully willing to push off his ankles.

For fans and aspiring players, the takeaway is clear: ankle sprain prevention matters. Whether you’re building skills in the gym or chasing buckets in league play, external support like a reliable ankle brace can help protect your joints, safeguard your playing time, and keep your movements confident

 

Check out Trae ankle braces from here

Check out Zamst ankle brace lineup from here 

About the Author 

EVAN JEFFRIES is a physical therapist with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. He is also the owner of Evolving Motion Physical Therapy and has vast knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and has treated many orthopedic conditions by bringing a proactive approach to healthcare and lifestyle. Recently he has also been active on social media as an injury analyst mainly in related to injuries NBA players have sustained. Evan can be followed on his social media accounts.

 

Reference : 

 1.McGuine TA, Brooks A, Hetzel S. The effect of lace-up ankle braces on injury rates in high school basketball players. Am J Sports Med. 2011 Sep;39(9):1840-8. doi: 10.1177/0363546511406242. Epub 2011 Jul 27. PMID: 21795671; PMCID: PMC3213051.

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