Unfortunately, many modern flashes are not as good as expected when it comes to heat management. I have had issues with consistency using third-party units in gym environments; they often overheat or miss triggers right when the action peaks. For the D7500, the only reliable choice is the Nikon SB-5000 AF Speedlight. Quick tips based on my experience:

• Always use an external power source like the Nikon SD-9 High-Performance Battery Pack to ensure fast recycle times.
• Switch to manual flash power because TTL is often fooled by reflective gym floors and walls.

Like someone mentioned, recycle speed is everything. It makes or breaks the shot. I remember my first few games and feeling so defeated. My gear just wouldnt fire fast enough. Missing a game-winning dunk because the flash was still recharging is the worst feeling. I still think about it lol. My current setup has been in use for about a year. Honestly, I'm super satisfied. The technical side took some trial and error tho. Not relying on HSS was a huge discovery. It drains batteries way too fast. Instead, learning to lean on the Nikon D7500 and its ability to handle higher ISOs changed the game. It lets me keep flash power lower, around 1/8 or 1/16. Recycle times stay nearly instant this way. It also prevents the unit from getting too hot during a long set. Tbh, the biggest win was realizing the flash pulse itself is usually fast enough to freeze motion. No complaints lately. Everything works well once you find that sweet spot.