Ayrton Oneill
Basketballs are orange due to the need for visibility during games. Before the 1950s, basketballs were dark brown, but during the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky, orange basketballs were introduced, and they have been used ever since. According to the NCAA rulebook, basketballs must be Pantone Matching System Orange 151, Red-Orange 173, or Brown 1535, and they must be made of leather. While most people associate the NBA with orange basketballs, some, like New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, describe the color as brown due to dirt and bacteria from players' hands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Color | Orange, Red-Orange, or Brown |
| Circumference | 29.5–30 inches |
| Weight | 20–22 ounces |
| Visibility | High |
| Debut | 1958 NCAA Finals |
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What You'll Learn
The orange basketball debuted during the 1958 NCAA Finals
The basketball's iconic orange colour was first introduced during the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky. The vibrant orange shade immediately caught the attention of players, fans, and viewers, becoming an instant hit. This debut marked a significant shift in the sport's history, as the orange ball quickly became the new standard, replacing the previous shade.
Before the introduction of the orange basketball, the sport had seen various colour combinations, with some courts using distinct paintworks that made the ball difficult to see. The transition to orange occurred in the 1950s, with the NCAA rulebook specifying the colour as Pantone Matching System Orange 151, Red-Orange 173, or Brown 1535. This range of acceptable shades ensured consistency across the sport, with minor variations in the orange hue.
The 1958 NCAA Finals served as the perfect platform for the orange basketball's debut, with the high-profile nature of the game drawing attention to the new ball. The immediate popularity of the orange ball among players and fans alike solidified its position as the new standard. The colour orange, with its vibrancy and visibility, offered advantages over previous colours, especially in terms of television viewing, which was becoming increasingly popular at the time.
The introduction of the orange basketball was a pivotal moment in the sport's evolution, contributing to its modern identity. The colour became synonymous with the sport, enhancing its recognition and popularity. Today, the orange basketball is a symbol of the game, instantly recognisable by fans worldwide, and a testament to the impact of innovative changes in sports. The debut of the orange basketball in 1958 showcased the power of adaptation and how a simple colour change can have a lasting impact on a sport's legacy.
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Visibility is the main reason for the orange colour
The orange colour of basketballs is indeed related to visibility. Before the 1950s, basketballs were dark brown, but during the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky, orange basketballs were introduced. The bright orange colour of the basketballs has been a topic of discussion during the NCAA's March Madness tournament, with many people taking to social media about it.
The orange colour provides better visibility, making the ball easily recognizable for viewers and players, even on television, which is a medium used by the majority of the sport's viewers. This is especially important for a fast-paced game like basketball, where players need to be able to track the ball quickly and accurately.
According to the NCAA rulebook, the basketball must be a specific shade of orange, known as Pantone Matching System Orange 151, Red-Orange 173, or Brown 1535. This standardization ensures that the balls used in competitions provide optimal visibility and meet the requirements for official gameplay.
While the orange colour is primarily for visibility, it has also become iconic. The orange basketball has become synonymous with the sport, to the point that the late David Stern commented, "The last thing the world needed was another orange basketball," acknowledging the colour's strong association with the game.
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The Pantone Matching System specifies the shade of orange
The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a standardised colour reproduction system that allows different manufacturers in different locations to refer to the same system and ensure colours match without direct contact with one another. The PMS has 2161 colours, and these are described by their allocated number, for example, "PMS 130".
The PMS is widely used in branding and has even been used in government legislation and military standards to describe the colours of flags and seals. For example, the Scottish Parliament debated referring to the blue in the Scottish flag as "Pantone 300".
The PMS is also used to specify the shade of orange for basketballs. According to the NCAA rulebook, basketballs must be Pantone Matching System Orange 151, Red-Orange 173, or Brown 1535, as well as being made of leather. This year's NCAA Men's Final Four Championship game ball, available on Wilson's website for $94.95, has attracted attention on social media for its bright orange colour.
Pantone also produced Hexachrome, a patented six-colour printing system that added orange and green inks to expand the colour gamut. However, Hexachrome was discontinued in 2008 when Adobe Systems stopped supporting their HexWare plugin software.
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The ABA used red-white-blue basketballs until 1976
The basketballs used in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) games are notably orange. This is in contrast to the basketballs used in the American Basketball Association (ABA), which were red, white, and blue. The ABA was a major professional basketball league that operated from 1967 to 1976, with 11 teams competing in its first season. The ABA operated in direct competition with the more established National Basketball Association (NBA).
The ABA's basketballs were red, white, and blue, departing from the traditional orange basketballs used by the NBA. Celtics coach Red Auerbach commented that the ABA's basketballs belonged on the nose of a circus seal. Despite the NBA's attempts to dismiss the ABA as upstarts, the ABA's freewheeling style eventually caught on with fans. The ABA pioneered the now-popular NBA slam dunk contest, which was first held at the final ABA All-Star Game in 1976.
The ABA's basketballs were designed with premium composite leather and were suitable for indoor and outdoor use. They were officially licensed by both the NBA and the ABA and were endorsed by legendary ABA Hall of Famers such as Julius Erving, Rick Barry, and George "Ice" Gervin. The red, white, and blue ABA basketballs were used from the league's inception in 1967 until its final season in 1976.
In its final season, the ABA was down to just nine teams, including the Pacers, the Colonels, the New York Nets, and the Denver Nuggets. Four ABA teams were eventually absorbed into the NBA as a result of the merger between the two leagues: the New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs. The ABA's legacy includes innovations such as the 3-point shot and the slam dunk contest, which have become staples of modern basketball.
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Some people think basketballs are brown, not orange
It is a well-known fact that basketballs are orange. However, some people think they are brown, not orange. This perception may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the lighting conditions, the material of the ball, and even the hygiene of the ball.
For example, during the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky, orange basketballs were introduced, and they have been the standard ever since. However, prior to the 1950s, all basketballs were dark brown. This historical association may contribute to the perception that basketballs are brown. Additionally, the lighting conditions during a game or when viewing on TV can affect the way the colour of the ball is perceived, potentially making it appear more brown than orange.
Another factor that may contribute to the perception of basketballs being brown is the material. The NCAA rulebook specifies that basketballs must be made of leather and have a Pantone colour of Orange 151, Red-Orange 173, or Brown 1535. The choice of material and the specific shade of orange can affect the way the colour is perceived, especially under different lighting conditions.
Lastly, hygiene can also play a role in the colour perception of basketballs. New York Knicks centre Mitchell Robinson famously stated that he believes the colour of NBA basketballs is better described as brown due to the accumulation of dirt and bacteria on the balls. He attributes this to the lack of handwashing among players, stating that only a few people in the league wash their hands regularly.
In conclusion, while it is commonly accepted that basketballs are orange, there are valid reasons why some people perceive them to be brown. Factors such as historical context, lighting conditions, material specifications, and hygiene can all influence the way the colour of a basketball is perceived by viewers and players.
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Frequently asked questions
The main reason basketballs are orange is for visibility.
Orange basketballs made their debut during the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky.
Before the 1950s, basketballs were dark brown. The ABA used red, white and blue basketballs until they merged with the NBA in 1976.
Some people have suggested that basketballs could be blue, red, green or black.
WNBA basketballs have orange and oatmeal paint.
