Here we provide some useful tips that helps you to choose the right size basketball.
Men’s And Women’s Basketball Sizes
- The approved sized basketball used by the NBA is 29.5 inches in perimeter. This size is used throughout high school and men’s college basketball leagues.
- The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) make use of a slightly smaller sized ball which measures at 28.5 inches in perimeter.
- For Intercontinental play, notably Federation International Basketball Association (FIBA), the Molten GL6 is used for women and the Molten GL7 for men. These basketballs characteristically come in two different sizes and are a tad bigger, with a circumference of 30.7 inches for the men’s ball and 29 inches for the women.
Boys’ And Girls’ Basketball Sizes
- For boys in middle school (aged 12-14 years) a 28.5 inches ball is used, and the same goes for girls aged 12 years and upwards as well as all women.
- For males and females between the ages of 9-11 years, a 27.5 inches ball in the perimeter is advised, and this sized ball is most commonly used in youth basketball leagues.
- Basketballs that are sized 22 inches and 24.5 inches in circumference are generally used for boys and girls aged 4-8 years, depending on the person’s hand size which is determined by the parent or coach by measuring from the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger. Ballers Republic is your best option for acquiring tips and advice when buying training equipment.
Basketballs Sizes For International Play
- The diameter of a standard NBA basketball is between 9.43 and 9.51 inches, and the ball has to be inflated to a pressure between 7.5 to 8.5 PSI. (The same pressure regulations are required for the WNBA).
- In the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), inflation regulations are provided in weight with the women’s ball having a total weight of 20 ounces, and the men’s ball must have a maximum weight of 22 ounces.
- With FIBA play, the official rules stipulate that the ball must be inflated to an air pressure that when it is dropped onto the court from a height of approximately 1800mm measured from the bottom of the ball, it will rebound to the height of between 1200mm and 1400mm when measured to the top of the ball.
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Indoor And Outdoor Basketballs
- Indoor basketballs are made with full-grain leather whereas outdoor basketballs are made of rubber.
- Leather basketballs are not suitable for playing outside, as the wear and tear caused by the outdoor basketball court will ruin the ball’s grip. Some indoor balls are made of composite or synthetic leather, but they are generally of substandard quality and not recommended to buy.
- Outdoor rubber balls can absorb rougher outdoor surfaces without compromising the ball’s grip.
Best-selling Brands
- The three best-selling basketballs brands are Nike, Spalding and Wilson. Spalding, the official ball of the NBA is often the most renowned Manufacturer of basketballs. Nike and Wilson are also highly popular due to the variety of texture, colour and technology they have on offer.
