How to Choose a Basketball (2024)

A Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing a Basketball

Understanding the technical elements ofa Wilsonbasketballwillhelp you rule the court.As makers ofthe officiall ball of the NBA, the official ball of the WNBA, and the official ball of the NCAA, we're basketball experts at Wilsom, and we'rehere to guide you in choosingtheappropriate size and material to better your game andperform at your best.

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Step 1 - Choose the right size basketball

The first step in choosing a basketball is to determine theideal size foryour level of play.Playing with the wrong size ball can have long-term negativeeffects on a player’s technique. Additionally, different leagues have various restrictions regarding size, material, and color for the game ballstheypermit.

Size 7 Basketballs

Standard ball size for men's professional basketball

Size 7 basketballs measure 29.5” in circumferenceand have a standard weight of 22 oz.Size 7 basketballsarethestandardball sizeformen’sprofessional basketball associations, such as the NBA, as well as men’s college, high school, and travel basketball leagues.

Shop Size 7 balls

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Size 6 Basketballs

Standard ball size for women's professional basketball and youth leages ages 9and up

Size 6 basketballs measure 28.5” and have a standard weight of 20 oz. Logically, size 6 balls are slightly smaller than size 7 basketballs, making them ideal for players with smaller hand spans. Size 6 balls arethe officialballsizefor mostwomen’s professional basketball associations, including the WNBA and International Basketball Federation (FIBA)3x3,inaddition towomen’s college and high school basketball leagues,and in youth leagues for players 9and up.

Shop Size 6 balls

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Size 5 Basketballs

Most popular ball size for youth leages ages 8 and under

For players 8 and under,size 5 basketballs are the ideal size for play. With a circumference measuring 27.5”-27.75” and a standard weight of 14-16 oz, this is the most popular basketball size for youth leagues.

Shop Size 5 balls

Size 3 Basketballs

Best basketball for children 4 and under

With a circumference of 22.5” and a weight of 10 oz, this size is commonly referred to as a mini basketball. These are best for kids 4 and under, but also make a great commemorative gift for any age.

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Step 2 - Choosean indoor vs outdoor basketball

Whether you’re playing on a polished wood court or street ball in the driveway, it is important to consider the playing environment when choosing a basketball that is right for you.As playing styles evolve and become more technical, basketball design has also become more advanced. Internal structure, cover construction, and channel depth have all been carefully engineered to help basketball playersperformbetter wherever they find the game.

Outdoor courtsdemandbasketballs with amore ruggedconstruction that are durable enough to handle abrasive surfaces and retain their playability in adverse weather conditions.Indoor courts require basketballs with more forgiving construction, optimized to performwithout damaging more delicate playing surfaces.

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Step 3 - Choose the right material

    How to Choose a Basketball (3)

    SHOP THE EVOLUTION BASKETBALL

    Today’s basketballs feature a cover construction of either rubber or compositeleather. Composite basketballs, sometimes referred to as “synthetic” basketballs,maintain all thepliability and grip of traditional leather construction while being durable enough to withstand dirt, moisture, and other elements, ultimately extending the life and playability of the basketball.

    Because of this, composite basketballs are ideal for most indoor and indoor/outdoor play. Rubber basketballs, sometimes referred to as street basketballs, are designed for outdoor play. They are equipped with a cover construction designed toperformwell ininclimateweather conditionsandwithstand hours of play on rough surfacesandwear from metal nets.

    Rubber Basketballs

    • Durable enough for outdoor use
    • Excellent grip, even in rain /dirt
    • Inexpensive
    • Available in many colors and patterns
    • Ideal for street basketball and casual play

    Composite Basketballs

    • Sometimes called “Synthetic Basketballs”
    • Appropriate for indoor/outdoor use
    • More durable than leather
    • Most popular basketball type

    Leather Basketballs

    • Most premium material: genuine Horween leather cover
    • Slick to touch giving the ball more grip after "break-in period"
    • Only used for the Official NBA Game Ball

    The Era of Airless

    A first-of-its-kind breakthrough, the Wilson Airless Gen 1eliminates the need to inflate the ball. Instead, it relies on a 3D-printed structure and research-grade materials to replicate the bounce of a traditional basketball.

    learn more about the airless gen 1

    For more informationon choosing the best ball for you, check out the video below.

    Updated May 8, 2024

    How to Choose a Basketball (2024)

    FAQs

    How to select a basketball ball? ›

    The first step in choosing a basketball is to determine the ideal size for your level of play. Playing with the wrong size ball can have long-term negative effects on a player's technique. Additionally, different leagues have various restrictions regarding size, material, and color for the game balls they permit.

    How to tell if your basketball is good? ›

    well the basketball handbook states that officials at basketball games must perform a test in which u hold the ball out at chest level and drop it. if it bouces back to your waist level then its good. if it bounces too high take a little air out and try again. if it bouces too low then you know u need more air.

    What are the 3 levels of select basketball? ›

    Each 2022-2023 Panini Select Basketball Blaster Box features: Look for exclusive blue base cards in the following levels: base concourse, base premier level, and base courtside!

    What ball does the NBA use? ›

    Wilson, which was the official game ball for the league's first 37 seasons, returns to the NBA.

    Does the NBA use size 7 basketball? ›

    The official NBA men's basketball size is 29.5in in circumference equating to a full size, size 7 basketball that weighs 22oz and must be inflated to a pressure of 7.5 – 8.5 pounds per square inch (PSI).

    What size basketball for a 14-year-old boy? ›

    Size 7 29.5” 22 oz Men and boys ages 15 and up. This is official size for high school, college, and the pros. Size 6 28.5” 20 oz Boys ages 12-14.

    What size basketball do high school girls use? ›

    Size 6 Basketball:

    For girls, a size 6 basketball should be used once they hit 12-years-old and is the official size used at the high school, college, and professional level. The circumference of the basketball should be 28.5" and the weight 20 oz.

    Why are some basketballs so expensive? ›

    THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BASKETBALL – HOW IT'S MADE

    A type of rubber that is very good at preventing air pressure loss. The higher percentage of butyl rubber used in the bladder, the better the ball will be at retaining it's pressure. Butyl is more expensive than other types of rubber.

    How do you tell if a basketball is indoor or outdoor? ›

    The main physical difference of the two different types of basketballs coincides around the material used. If you have ever seen an indoor ball at the basketball court and dribbled it or shot it, you probably know the surface feels softer to the touch than an outdoor ball.

    How bounce should a basketball be? ›

    According to international basketball rules, a basketball is properly inflated "such that when it is dropped onto the playing surface from a height of about 1.80 m measured from the bottom of the ball, it will rebound to a height, measured to the top of the ball, of not less than about 1.2 m nor more than about 1.4 m” ...

    What is better, rubber or composite basketball? ›

    BASKETBALL MATERIALS

    Because of this, composite basketballs are ideal for most indoor and indoor/outdoor play. Rubber basketballs sometimes referred to as street basketballs, are designed for outdoor play.

    How do you pick a basketball bet? ›

    Even seasoned basketball bettors can benefit from these tips on how to bet on basketball and win.
    1. Place Your Basketball Wagers Early. ...
    2. Consider Basketball Team Schedules. ...
    3. Watch the Basketball Injury Reports. ...
    4. Engage in Live Basketball Betting. ...
    5. Consider Possessions when Betting Basketball Totals.
    Dec 18, 2023

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