Kristian Ferrell
Basketballs come in different sizes, and the size of the ball can impact a player's technique and performance. The NBA uses an official ball size of 29.5 inches in circumference, which is the standard size for men's professional basketball associations. This size is also used in men's college and high school basketball leagues. The WNBA, on the other hand, uses a slightly smaller ball, measuring 28.5 inches in circumference.
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What You'll Learn
- The official NBA basketball size is 29.5 inches in circumference
- The NBA uses Spalding basketballs
- The WNBA uses a slightly smaller ball, measuring 28.5 inches in circumference
- The NBA ball must be inflated to a pressure of 7.5 to 8.5 PSI
- The official NBA ball features the NBA logo and the Wilson script
The official NBA basketball size is 29.5 inches in circumference
The NBA's basketball is made by Wilson, which also supplies the balls for the WNBA and NCAA. The NBA ball is made from genuine leather, which initially feels slick to the touch. Playing with the basketball will loosen up the leather, giving the ball more grip.
The WNBA uses a slightly smaller ball, measuring 28.5 inches in circumference. This is known as a Size 6 basketball and is also used in women's college and high school basketball leagues. The WNBA ball weighs 20 ounces.
For international play, specifically FIBA, the basketball used is called a Molten GL7 for men and a Molten GL6 for women. These basketballs typically feature two different colours and are slightly bigger than the NBA and WNBA balls. The men's ball has a circumference of 30.7 inches, while the women's ball has a circumference of 29 inches.
Basketball sizes vary by age, gender, and level of play. For boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 8, the recommended basketball size is between 22 and 24.5 inches in circumference, depending on the individual's hand size.
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The NBA uses Spalding basketballs
The NBA has been very particular about the basketballs used in its games. The league has used basketballs from different companies over the years, with the most recent switch happening in 2020.
Spalding Basketballs
Spalding basketballs were used by the NBA for a long time before the league decided to switch to Wilson in 2020. The NBA players were unhappy with the switch, complaining about the grip, feel, and bounce of the new ball. Some players even said that the ball made their fingers bleed. As a result, the NBA decided to revert to using Spalding basketballs.
Wilson Basketballs
In 2020, the NBA announced that it would be switching to Wilson basketballs for the 2021-22 season. This decision was made after the league was unable to reach an agreement with Spalding on a new contract. Wilson has long supplied Horween leather for its NFL footballs and will continue to source its leather from Horween Leather Co. for NBA game balls.
Basketball Size
The official size of a basketball used in the NBA is 29.5 inches in circumference, which is the same size used in men's college and high school basketball leagues. The WNBA, on the other hand, uses a slightly smaller ball, measuring 28.5 inches in circumference.
Inflation Requirements
The NBA basketballs must be inflated to a pressure of 7.5 to 8.5 PSI. This is the same pressure regulation used in the WNBA. The inflation requirements for the NCAA are given in weight, with the men's ball having a maximum weight of 22 ounces and the women's ball a maximum weight of 20 ounces.
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The WNBA uses a slightly smaller ball, measuring 28.5 inches in circumference
The standard size of a basketball used in the NBA is 29.5 inches in circumference. This is the same size used in men's college and high school basketball leagues.
However, the WNBA uses a slightly smaller ball, measuring 28.5 inches in circumference. This is the same size used in most women's professional basketball associations, including the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3x3, as well as women's college and high school basketball leagues.
The size of the ball can significantly impact a player's technique and experience. Using a basketball that is too big can make the game less enjoyable, as the heavier ball will be harder to catch and control. Similarly, using a ball that is too small can cause issues when transitioning to playing with a larger, heavier ball.
Both the NBA and WNBA use Spalding basketballs, which are made of genuine leather and must be inflated to a pressure of 7.5-8.5 PSI.
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The NBA ball must be inflated to a pressure of 7.5 to 8.5 PSI
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the world's premier men's basketball league, with a global audience in the hundreds of millions. The NBA ball, also known as a Size 7 basketball, is the largest standard basketball, with a circumference of 29.5 inches and a standard weight of 22 ounces. This is the same ball used throughout men's college and high school basketball leagues.
In the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), inflation requirements are given in weight rather than pressure. The men's ball has a maximum weight of 22 ounces, while the women's ball has a maximum weight of 20 ounces. In the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the rules state that the ball "be inflated to an air pressure such that, when it is dropped onto the playing floor from a height of approximately 1,800 mm measured from the bottom of the ball, it will rebound to a height of between 1,200 mm and 1,400 mm, measured to the top of the ball."
The NBA official game ball is made by Wilson and is constructed from genuine leather. The leather will initially feel slick and rough to the touch, but playing with the ball will help to break it in.
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The official NBA ball features the NBA logo and the Wilson script
The official NBA ball is the Wilson NBA Official Game Basketball. It is brown in colour and measures 29.5 inches in circumference, making it a size 7 basketball. This is the standard ball size for men's professional basketball associations. The ball features the official NBA logo and the iconic Wilson script. It is made from 100% genuine leather, which initially feels slick and rough to the touch. The leather will loosen up with use, giving the ball more grip.
The Wilson NBA Official Game Basketball is the same size as the balls used in men's college and high school basketball leagues. The WNBA uses a slightly smaller ball, measuring 28.5 inches in circumference, which is a size 6 basketball. For international play, specifically FIBA, the basketball used is either a Molten GL7 for men or a Molten GL6 for women. These basketballs are slightly bigger than the NBA balls, with a circumference of 30.7 inches for the men's ball and 29 inches for the women's ball.
The Wilson NBA Official Game Basketball must be inflated to a pressure of 7.5 to 8.5 PSI. This is the same pressure used for the WNBA balls. The NCAA men's ball has a maximum weight of 22 ounces, while the women's ball has a maximum weight of 20 ounces.
Wilson has been the official basketball of the NBA and has provided the game ball used by every team and player in every game. The Wilson Airless Gen 1 is another innovation by the company, which eliminates the need to inflate the ball. Instead, it uses a 3D-printed structure and research-grade materials to replicate the bounce of a traditional basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
The circumference of the basketball used in the NBA is 29.5 inches. This is the same size used in men's college and high school basketball leagues.
An NBA basketball must be inflated to a pressure of 7.5 to 8.5 PSI and weigh 22 ounces.
The NBA uses Spalding basketballs.
