Helena Frye
Basketball teams usually follow the custom of wearing white jerseys when playing at home and colours when on the road. The basketball court, on which the players wear these jerseys, is 91.8ft (28m) in length and 49.21ft (15m) wide. The court lines are regulation 50mm in width and must be in a colour that contrasts with the playing surface.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Home team jersey colour | Light colours, usually white |
| Away team jersey colour | Dark colours |
| NBA team colours | Usually include white, black, blue, and red |
| Examples of NBA team colours | Washington Wizards: navy blue, red, silver; Utah Jazz: navy, green, yellow |
| Exceptions | Los Angeles Lakers: purple and gold |
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What You'll Learn
Home and away colours
The colours of basketball uniforms depend on whether a team is playing at home or away. In collegiate and professional contests, the home team usually wears light-coloured jerseys and shorts, while the away team wears dark colours. This convention is enforced by the NCAA, NBA, and WNBA. However, this rule can be altered by mutual consent between the competing institutions, as long as the colours of the shirts are contrasting.
The home team's light-coloured uniforms are usually white, but can also be other light colours, such as pink or yellow. The away team's dark uniforms can include colours such as navy blue, royal blue, purple and gold, black, red, or grey.
Some teams have colours that are associated with their city, character, history, or foundation culture. For example, the Utah Jazz's colours are navy, green, and yellow, while the Washington Wizards' colours of navy blue, red, and silver pay tribute to the colours of the US flag. The Los Angeles Lakers are known for their purple and gold chromatic scheme, which was introduced in 1967, replacing their previous colours of navy blue, royal blue, and white.
The colour of basketball courts can also vary, with regulation line markings required to be in a contrasting colour to the playing surface. The nets are usually white and should be no shorter than 45 cm.
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The 'neutral zone'
In basketball, the "neutral zone" refers to the primary color of the jerseys worn by players. Typically, the home team wears light-colored jerseys, while the away team wears dark-colored jerseys. This tradition is followed in both collegiate and professional basketball games.
The NCAA rule book states that "opposing team uniforms shall be of contrasting colors" and that "the home team shall wear light game jerseys and game shorts, and the away team shall wear dark game jerseys and game shorts." However, this rule can be altered with mutual consent between the competing institutions, as long as the colors of the shirts still contrast.
For example, the Syracuse team wore road orange jerseys in a game in Pittsburgh, creating a color clash with the home team's jerseys. In another instance, Virginia Tech wore black uniforms for a "blackout" event for their home game against Louisville, who wore white.
While white is traditionally associated with home teams and colors with away teams, there are exceptions. The Los Angeles Lakers, for instance, adopted purple and gold as their home colors in 1967, breaking the conventional mold.
Overall, the neutral zone in basketball refers to the primary color of the jerseys, which is typically light for the home team and dark for the away team, but exceptions and alterations to this tradition do exist.
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Exceptions to the rule
While the tradition in basketball is for the home team to wear white jerseys, there are exceptions to this rule. In 2017, Nike took over the contract to produce NBA jerseys and teams were no longer required to adhere to the white-at-home standard. Teams were now free to wear the colour of their choosing, and the very notion of a "home" or "away" jersey was eliminated.
Prior to this, there had been exceptions to the white-at-home standard. The Los Angeles Lakers, for example, wore gold jerseys at home, even though they have since abandoned this tradition. The Orlando Magic is another team that rarely wears white at home, opting instead for blue or black.
The NCAA, NBA, and WNBA enforce the general guideline that the home team shall wear light-coloured jerseys, and the away team shall wear dark-coloured jerseys. However, this rule may be altered by mutual consent of the competing institutions.
Some leagues may have their own regulations regarding jersey colours. For example, the NBA usually tries to limit teams to three colours, although there are exceptions. Ultimately, the teams themselves choose the colours to go with their mascot or for marketing purposes.
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The colour of basketballs
However, there is more to the colour of basketballs than just orange. A men's basketball usually has two colours: orange and black. The main part is orange, and the lines on it are black, making it easy to see and use in all games. The black lines, or "ribs", are recessed below the surface of the ball in a variety of configurations. The choice of these contrasting colours is not arbitrary but serves a practical purpose in making the ball more visible and usable during gameplay.
In addition to colour, the size of basketballs can also vary. They range from very small promotional items only a few inches in diameter to extra-large balls nearly 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter used in training exercises. The standard size for a basketball in the NBA is 29.5 inches (75 cm) in circumference, while the WNBA uses a ball with a maximum circumference of 28.5 inches (72 cm). High school and junior leagues normally use NCAA, NBA, or WNBA-sized balls.
The materials used to make basketballs can also vary, with indoor balls tending to be made from leather and outdoor balls from rubber. Indoor balls are generally more expensive due to the cost of materials and must be "broken in" to achieve optimal grip before use in competition. Outdoor balls need to be filled with more air to retain suitable air pressure in colder weather.
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Logos and uniforms
In basketball, the colours of team uniforms and logos are not chosen at random. They are steeped in tradition and have a significant impact on the team's brand and identity.
History of Uniform Colours
The colours of uniforms in basketball have evolved over time. Traditionally, the home team would wear white jerseys, with the away or road team wearing darker colours to prevent confusion for officials, players, and spectators. This convention began in the era of black-and-white television, where a "white vs colour" game was easier to follow. However, this tradition has shifted, and today, home teams in the NBA are allowed to choose the colour of their jerseys, and the notion of "home" and "away" jerseys has been eliminated.
Significance of Logos and Uniforms
Uniform Variations
Teams often have multiple uniform editions, allowing them to showcase different colours and designs throughout the season. These variations may include Association, Icon, City, and Statement editions, each serving a specific purpose and providing teams with flexibility in their visual presentation. Some teams also introduce special uniforms for specific occasions, such as the Boston Celtics' St. Patrick's Day game, where they wore green road jerseys.
Colour vs Colour Games
While ""colour vs colour" games were once rare in North American sports, this trend has been changing. With the introduction of specially designed uniforms for occasions like Christmas in the NBA, and teams increasingly wearing coloured jerseys at home, the traditional white vs colour dynamic is evolving. This shift adds visual interest and variety to the game, but it also presents challenges in ensuring sufficient contrast between the uniforms of opposing teams.
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Frequently asked questions
Traditionally, basketball teams wear white at home and colors on the road.
NBA teams usually include white, black, blue, and red color tones within their logos and uniforms.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the first NBA franchise to make non-white jerseys their standard home attire, adopting purple and gold as their chromatic scheme.
The WNBA enforces the general guideline that the "opposing team uniforms shall be of contrasting colors." The home team wears light game jerseys and shorts, while the away team wears dark jerseys and shorts.
The NCAA enforces that the "opposing team uniforms shall be of contrasting colors." The home team wears light game jerseys and shorts, while the away team wears dark jerseys and shorts.
