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Basketballs are orange because of visibility. Before the 1950s, basketballs were brown, but Butler University basketball coach Tony Hinkle complained that the brown balls were hard for players and fans to see during games. In 1957, Hinkle collaborated with the Spalding Company to develop a brighter ball that wouldn't blur while bouncing, and orange was the colour picked. Orange basketballs were first used in the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky, and have been used ever since.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for the colour orange | Visibility |
| Year of debut | 1958 |
| Debut event | NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky |
| Colour before orange | Brown |
| Person who chose the colour orange | Butler University basketball coach Tony Hinkle |
| Company that developed the orange basketball | Spalding Company |
| Current colour of WNBA basketballs | Orange and oatmeal |
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What You'll Learn
- Basketballs were initially brown, but this was hard to see
- In 1957, Tony Hinkle chose orange for improved visibility
- Orange basketballs debuted in 1958, and the NCAA soon adopted them
- The WNBA uses orange and oatmeal basketballs for visibility
- Some courts now use paint that makes the orange ball hard to see
Basketballs were initially brown, but this was hard to see
Basketballs have been orange since the late 1950s, but before that, they were brown. The original basketballs were made of plain leather, which was naturally dark brown/orange. However, this colour proved difficult to see, prompting complaints from players, fans, and coaches.
Butler University's head basketball coach Tony Hinkle was one of the main people who found the brown basketballs hard to see. In response to these complaints, Hinkle teamed up with the Spalding Company to develop a new, more visible basketball. They wanted to create a ball that wouldn't blur while bouncing, making it easier for players and spectators to follow the game.
Hinkle selected the colour orange, and the new basketballs debuted during the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky. The NCAA acknowledged the improved visibility offered by the orange balls and adopted the new design the following season. While some competitions were slower to make the switch, most professional leagues around the globe now use orange basketballs.
The WNBA has been using basketballs painted orange and oatmeal since its launch in 1996. The orange and oatmeal design was chosen because it made it easier to see the rotation of the shot. While the colour of basketballs has improved visibility, the issue has not been completely resolved, as some courts' paintwork can still make the balls difficult to see.
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In 1957, Tony Hinkle chose orange for improved visibility
Basketballs were initially brown, which prompted complaints from Butler University basketball coach Tony Hinkle that both players and fans had difficulty seeing them clearly. In response, Hinkle collaborated with the Spalding Company in 1957 to create a basketball that would stand out against the court when bounced, improving visibility for all spectators and participants.
Hinkle's innovative solution was to introduce a brighter, more visible colour to the basketball's design. He specifically selected the colour orange, which stood out starkly against the typical colours of basketball courts. This simple yet effective change ensured that the ball was more easily tracked, even when in motion.
The new orange basketballs were unveiled during the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky, marking a significant turning point in the sport's history. The NCAA swiftly acknowledged the enhanced visibility that the orange balls provided, adopting them for the following season. However, not all major competitions immediately followed suit, with some leagues initially resisting the change.
The impact of Hinkle's intervention extended beyond the courts and into the realm of sports science. His choice of orange was grounded in the scientific principle of colour contrast, which enhances visibility by reducing visual search time and improving object tracking. This principle has been applied in various sports, with specific colours selected for balls or pucks to optimise their visibility against the playing surface and surroundings.
While the primary motivation for the change was improved visibility, it is worth noting that the colour orange also has cultural and psychological associations that may have played a subconscious role in its selection. Orange is often associated with energy, enthusiasm, and excitement. These qualities align well with the fast-paced, dynamic nature of basketball, creating a subtle yet powerful connection between the visual aesthetics of the game and its intrinsic characteristics.
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Orange basketballs debuted in 1958, and the NCAA soon adopted them
The use of orange basketballs began during the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky. The original basketballs were brown, but Butler University basketball coach Tony Hinkle complained that the players and fans had difficulty seeing the ball. In 1957, Hinkle collaborated with the Spalding Company to create a new, more visible basketball. He selected the colour orange, which stood out against the court. The NCAA acknowledged the improved visibility offered by the orange ball and adopted the new design the following season.
The introduction of the orange basketball was a significant moment in the history of the sport. The colour of the ball is now iconic and easily recognisable, even for viewers watching on television. The choice of orange was specifically made to address the issue of low visibility with the previous brown balls, which tended to blur while bouncing. The new colour provided a stark contrast against the court, making it easier for players, fans, and referees to track the ball during gameplay.
While the NCAA swiftly adopted the orange basketball, not all major competitions immediately followed suit. The ABA (American Basketball Association), for example, continued to use red, white, and blue basketballs until they merged with the NBA in 1976. Even today, the ABA's original colour scheme survives during special events in the NBA, such as the Three-Point Contest during All-Star Weekends.
The WNBA, which launched in 1996, also opted for a unique style, using basketballs painted with orange and oatmeal colours. League executives made this decision after testing 12 different colours, including black-and-orange and light blue. They ultimately chose orange and oatmeal because they provided better visibility of the ball's rotation during shots.
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The WNBA uses orange and oatmeal basketballs for visibility
Basketballs were initially brown, but in 1957, Butler University basketball coach Tony Hinkle complained that fans and players couldn't see the ball well during games. Hinkle then teamed up with the Spalding Company to develop a basketball that wouldn't be blurred while bouncing. The coach selected the color orange, which is still the color of basketball for most professional leagues around the globe. Orange basketballs debuted during the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has been using basketballs painted with orange and oatmeal since the league's launch in 1996. League executives tested 12 different colors before settling on orange and oatmeal, including black-and-orange and light blue. "We picked the oatmeal and orange one because you could see the rotation of the shot," former NBA creative director Tom O'Grady said.
The WNBA's regulation of basketball is slightly different from that of the NBA's. The WNBA uses size 6 balls, which are one inch smaller than the size 7 balls used in the NBA. They also weigh less at 20 ounces.
The WNBA logo is orange and white, which was changed in 2013 to match the signature orange-and-oatmeal-colored basketballs.
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Some courts now use paint that makes the orange ball hard to see
The colour orange was chosen for basketballs in the late 1950s to improve visibility during games. Basketballs were initially brown, but Butler University basketball coach Tony Hinkle complained that it was hard for players and fans to see the ball clearly. Hinkle collaborated with the Spalding Company to develop a brighter, more visible basketball, and the colour orange was selected.
While the orange basketballs were introduced to enhance visibility, some courts today use paint that has the opposite effect, making the orange ball difficult to see. This issue has been observed during the 2023-24 NBA season, with fans complaining about the ball visibility.
The use of specialised court paintworks for tournament games has been a contributing factor to the visibility issue. These distinct paint colours, used by some teams on their courts, can make the standard orange basketball less visible, creating challenges for players and spectators alike.
To address this issue, leagues and competitions have explored alternative colour combinations for basketballs. For example, the WNBA has used basketballs painted orange and oatmeal since its launch in 1996, with the two-tone design chosen specifically to improve the visibility of the ball's rotation during shots. League executives considered various colour combinations before settling on orange and oatmeal, recognising the importance of ball visibility for players and viewers.
While the introduction of new colours or designs might be considered, there is also a strong tradition associated with the orange basketball, which is now iconic and recognised even by those who do not regularly follow the sport. Any significant change to the ball's colour would be a notable departure from this tradition, and it is unlikely that a single alternative colour would be suitable for all court designs and lighting conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Basketballs are orange because of visibility. Before the 1950s, basketballs were brown, but Butler University’s head basketball coach Tony Hinkle decided the brown colour was hard for everyone to see, so he chose a much brighter, more visible colour—orange.
Basketballs became orange in the late 1950s. They debuted during the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky.
Yes, the WNBA has used basketballs painted orange and oatmeal since the league's launch in 1996. The ABA (American Basketball Association) used red, white, and blue basketballs until they merged with the NBA in 1976.
The colour of basketballs is now part of the tradition of the sport. While basketballs can be made in any colour, orange basketballs are iconic and easily recognisable, even on TV.
