Andrew Pace
The NBA has been very particular about the basketballs used in its games. The league has switched between using Spalding and Wilson basketballs over the years. Wilson is currently the official basketball brand of the NBA. The basketballs are made of genuine leather and are constructed to meet the world-class standards of the NBA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Wilson |
| Material | 100% genuine leather |
| Size | 7 |
| Circumference | 29.5" |
| Colour | Brown |
| Inflation | Air retention lining for longer-lasting inflation |
| Seams | New channel construction suited to player preference |
| Use | Used by every team and every player, in every game |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The NBA's official game ball is the Wilson ball
The Wilson NBA Official Game Ball is made from 100% genuine leather. The leather will initially feel slick and rough to the touch, but as players use the ball, it will loosen up and become grippier. The ball will also darken as it becomes ready for gameplay. Wilson sources its leather from the same Chicago tannery that supplied leather for Spalding's basketballs. The Wilson ball is also used in the NBA's G League, WNBA, and Basketball Africa League.
The Wilson NBA Official Game Ball is available in brown, size 7, and 29.5 inches. The ball features the world-famous NBA logo. Wilson also offers custom basketballs that mimic the standard NBA basketball with a few differences. For example, the Wilson logo is changed to the main color of a specific team, and the NBA logo is replaced with the team logo. These custom basketballs are meant for indoor use or pickup games on a driveway or blacktop.
Some players have criticized the Wilson ball, noting that it feels like a rubber basketball and does not soften up even after trying to break it in. Others have praised the ball, saying that it feels like a pro ball and is the best ball they have ever used.
WNBA Basketball Size: The Official Standard
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ball is made from 100% genuine leather
The NBA game ball is made from 100% genuine leather. Wilson, the official manufacturer of the NBA game ball, constructs the ball with a genuine leather cover. This leather initially feels slick and rough to the touch, but as the ball is used, the leather loosens up, giving the ball more grip and a darker colour. The more the ball is played with, the better it feels.
Wilson sources its leather from a Chicago tannery that also supplied leather for Spalding's basketballs. The company has invested in equipment to break in the leather more quickly before sending teams their balls. Wilson has also spent time soliciting feedback from players and has held numerous interviews and evaluations to ensure its balls meet world-class standards.
The use of genuine leather in the NBA game ball is a return to an all-leather model, as the previous model was made of composite material. The switch to Wilson's all-leather ball occurred in 2021, after players criticised the composite ball for causing friction that cut their fingers.
Wilson has a long history with the NBA, having supplied the official game ball for the league's first 37 years. After this initial period, Spalding took over the contract and supplied the balls for the next 37 years. However, in 2021, the NBA decided to switch back to Wilson as its official game ball provider.
In addition to providing the game ball for the NBA, Wilson also supplies basketballs for the NBA's G League, WNBA, and the Basketball Africa League. Wilson is committed to achieving high standards and providing a quality product for players and fans alike.
Oral Roberts Basketball: A Winning Streak?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ball is used by every team and player in every game
The Wilson Official NBA Game Ball is used by every team and player in every game. Wilson, which is now part of Amer Sports, was the manufacturer of the official NBA ball for the first 37 years of the league before Spalding took over in 1983. In 2021, the NBA switched back to using Wilson as its official game ball manufacturer.
The Wilson Official NBA Game Ball is made from 100% genuine leather and is constructed to meet the world-class standards of the NBA. The leather cover initially feels slick and rough to the touch, but as the basketball is used, the leather loosens up, giving the ball more grip. The ball will also darken as it becomes ready for gameplay. The NBA's switch to Wilson as its manufacturer came after players expressed their unhappiness with the composite material of the previous balls, which some said cut their fingers.
The Wilson Official NBA Game Ball is available in brown, size 7, and measures 29.5 inches. Wilson also offers a range of other NBA basketballs, including the Team Alliance basketball, which mimics the standard NBA basketball but features the main colour of your favourite team and the team logo instead of the NBA logo. Wilson also produces basketballs for the NBA's G League, WNBA, and Basketball Africa League.
Purdue's Basketball National Championship Dreams: Realized or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ball is initially slick and rough to the touch
The official basketball of the NBA is the Wilson Official NBA Game Ball. The ball is made from 100% genuine leather and will initially feel slick and rough to the touch. This is because the leather needs to be broken in. The more you play with the ball, the more the leather will loosen up, giving the ball more grip and a better feel.
The Wilson Official NBA Game Ball is used by every team and player in every game. The ball is designed to meet world-class standards and features the world-famous NBA logo. The ball is available in brown, size 7, and measures 29.5 inches.
Wilson Sporting Goods was the original manufacturer of the official NBA ball for the first 37 years of the league's existence. In 1983, Spalding took over the contract and supplied the official NBA balls for the next 37 years. However, in 2021, the NBA switched back to Wilson as the manufacturer of its official game balls.
The switch to Wilson was met with some criticism from players who were unhappy with the initial composite material, which some said cut their fingers. As a result, the NBA returned to an all-leather model, sourcing leather from the same Chicago tannery that supplied Spalding. Wilson also invested in equipment to break in the leather quicker and solicited feedback from players to improve the ball's design.
Mastering 2K Mobile Basketball: Strategies for Success
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ball is available to buy from Amazon
The official basketball of the NBA is the Wilson Official NBA Game Ball. It is made from 100% genuine leather and is available to buy on Amazon.
The ball is brown and 29.5 inches in size. It is the official ball of the NBA, featuring the world-famous NBA logo. The leather cover will initially feel slick and rough to the touch, but playing with the basketball will loosen up the leather, giving the ball more grip. The inflation retention lining creates longer-lasting air retention, and the new channel construction is suited to player preference.
The Wilson Official NBA Game Ball has received mixed reviews on Amazon. Some customers have complained about the quality of the ball, with one customer stating that it started to show wear and tear after only a few uses. Another customer felt that the ball was not worth the price, comparing it to cheaper balls with similar performance. However, other customers have left positive reviews, with one stating that it is the "best ball ever" and that it made them "feel like a pro".
In addition to the official game ball, Wilson also offers a range of NBA-themed basketballs on their website, including the Team Alliance basketball, which features the logo of your favorite team, and the NBA Team City Edition collector basketball, which features your team's colors and icons. These balls can be used for indoor or outdoor play or kept as a collector's item.
Michigan Basketball's Historic Win Record Explored
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The NBA uses basketballs manufactured by Wilson Sporting Goods.
Wilson basketballs are made from 100% genuine leather.
Wilson NBA basketballs are available on Amazon and at the Wilson NBA Team Shop.
