Is the Nikon 18-200mm f3.5 VR good for basketball? - 1

I'm looking for a good lens for highschool basketball, and I've read that this one isn't very good for highschool gyms. I just wanted some different opinions before I spend 1, 000 dollars plus for an f2.8 lens. I want to buy this lens, but really don't want to be disappointed.

Since high school gums are pretty dimly lit no. You'll need something faster. I'd be looking the
f/1.8 to f/2.4 range. Remember though as you zoom that f/stop goes up so the light is obviously less.

Outdoors in bright sun it is just fine

Indoors, you do need a f/2.8 lens.

I use a 24-70 mm f/2.8 when shooting from the baseline and 300 mm f/2.8 when shooting cross court.

This of course require two different bodies.

As you can see, shooting sports can get expensive.

Samples:
Cross court:

Baseline:

The 18-200 mm is a great lens, but it is too slow for shooting indoors.

Sample using a 18-200 mm lens

You could consider the new 70-200mm f4 VR.