Abstract: A basketball backboard includes a substrate core member fabricated from reconstituted wood products bonded together with a water resistant resin to form a substantially rigid core structure. A first plastic shell member including a flat first portion corresponding to the front surface of the substrate is integrally formed with depending peripheral edges positionable to cover corresponding peripheral edges of the substrate in contacting engagement when bonded thereto. The plastic shell partially covering the substrate core assists in minimizing moisture penetration into the substrate. A second plastic shell can be provided to cover the rear surface of the substrate core to completely encapsulate the core.