Basketball
Basketballs are designed for and used in the sport of Basketball. The ball consists of an inflatable bladder covered by leather or sometimes rubber. Basketballs come in a variety of sizes and compositions to match the level and type of basketball being played, such as professional, recreational, indoor, or outdoor.
Use:
Invented:
Materials:
Top Brands:
Sport of Basketball
1894
Leather
Spalding, Wilson, Nike, Baden
Circumference:
Weight:
Pressure:
29.5 – 30.3 in.
20 – 22 oz.
Construction
Basketballs are constructed with two main components, the interior and exterior. The interior, also called the ball bladder, is an inflatable rubber casing that holds the ball’s air providing the ball’s shape and bounce. The exterior of the ball is the outer material that covers and protects the bladder. It provides the correct weight, pattern, and material to be an official basketball.
Materials: The interior bladder of a modern basketball is made up of rubber, most commonly butyl for its durability. The three most common exterior materials used for modern basketballs include genuine leather, synthetic leather, and rubber. Genuine leather balls are the highest quality and most expensive balls due to the soft feel and boost in control when broken in. Genuine leather is used at the professional level and is recommended for indoor use only. Synthetic leather balls attempt to mimic the feel of genuine leather but are much cheaper to produce. These balls do not need to be broken in for a soft feel and can be used for both indoor and outdoor use. Rubber balls are made with a rubber covering that provides great durability. These balls are ideal for outdoor play and are the cheapest option available.
Design: Basketballs follow a fairly standardized design with the main characteristic being the “ribs” that divide the surface of the ball. These “ribs” not only create the iconic basketball design but also provide functionality through improved grip and feeling when passing or shooting the ball. Most basketballs are created in a dark orange color, which is a requirement for many competitions, but a variety of ball colors and patterns exist for recreational use.
Sizes
Basketballs come in different sizes to accommodate varying ages and level of play. Size 7 is the standard ball size for men’s professional basketball.
Size Chart
| Size | Circumference | Weight | Use |
| 7 | 29.5 – 30.3 in. | 20 – 22 oz. | Mens |
| 6 | 28.1 – 28.7 in. | 18 – 19 oz. | Womens |
| 5 | 27 – 27.6 in. | 16 – 17 oz. | Youth |
| 4 | 25.5 in. | 14 oz. | Youth |
| 3 | 22 in. | 10 oz. | Mini |
| 3×3 | 28.1 – 28.7 in. | 20 – 22 oz. | 3×3 |
Types
Professional/game ball:
Recreational/training ball:
Indoor ball:
Outdoor ball:
History
Rules
According to the NBA (National Basketball Association) rulebook, for a basketball to be used in an official competition it must “be an officially approved NBA ball between 7 ½ and 8 ½ pounds pressure.” Spalding is the official manufacturer of NBA Game Balls.
FAQs
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Design
Official Rules
Basketball
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