a ball return device for aiding in the practice of basketball or other games which require that a ball be returned to a player in order to perform repetitive practice routines . the device comprises a receiving basket which may be placed under a basketball hoop and which directs a ball to a pair of rotating heads operable to propel the ball toward the player . a detection apparatus on the return device is operable to sense the distance between a player and the return device . when the distance between the player and the return device is within a zone of acceptable distances , an output signal is generated which causes the return mechanism to eject a ball toward the player .