How could I make it better?
A drill pump and a portable drill, there are cheaper ones around $7. edit.. forgot about one of these things search for a ram pump, I saw one in Popular Mechanics 20 years ago. clemson.edu/irrig/Equip/ram.h
i assume it is referencing the height of a standard nba hoop (3 metres)
3M is a highly reflective material, so they'd light-up under bright light, or flash photography.