watsup.
so im replying as both a physiotherapist and and one of the outliers on the newschoolers bell curve (ie, my knees hurt too).
If what your describing is just a neoprene or elastic pull on brace, it will provide little other than compression (not terrible for out of shape musculature) and some extra proprioceptive feedback (great, but not a substitute for strength and conditioning).
to get any type of structural support, you will need a brace with medial and lateral stayes to help limit stresses on the collateral ligaments. these braces also offer a compressive element and an additional degree of proprioceptive feedback, however they will not prevent an injury, ligamentous, meniscal or otherwise, if you land badly enough.
a rigid knee brace which limits hyperextension can do far more to prevent injuries, but is more cumbersome (but still very wearable, especially the custom jobbies - i recomend bregg to my patients).
oh, and they cost a shitload.
If you have no pre existing knee conditions, i would recomend just get yourself into a strengthening and conditioning program. its never too late in the season.
if you do, pm me or reply to the thread and ill help out if i can.