Background: Ankle sprains are common in basketball, leading many players to use ankle taping as a strategy to enhance joint stability, dynamic balance, and to improve overall functional performance. Aim: This study was done to investigate the effect of rigid tapping on functional performance in professional basketball players with chronic ankle instability. Material and methods: Twenty- eight male subjects were included in this study with age range from18 to 40 years old. Participants had at least moderate ankle instability, defined as a score of <25 on the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool. Pre-post study design was used. Participants were tested over two sessions, in one session with ankle tapping and in the other session without tape. Within each test session, participants performed three functional tests: figure-8 hopping test, single leg stance and Y-balance test. Tapping procedures were the same for all participants. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the two conditions of assessment in all tests. Comparing the Pre-taping condition to the post-taping condition revealed that the rigid taping significantly decrease the time of figure-8 hopping test (p<0.001) and also improved the results of Y-balance test in all directions and in the overall composite score (p<0.001). Moreover, rigid tapping improved balance measured by single leg stance test reflected by decreasing the number of foot errors in 30 seconds (p<0.001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that rigid tapping has a significant effect on improving functional performance of basketball players with chronic ankle instability.