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How Do I Choose the Right Size and Type of Basketball?

How Do I Choose the Right Size and Type of Basketball?

Jun 1, 2019

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WHAT ARE BASKETBALLS MADE OF?

Basketballs are made of three different kinds of materials for long-lasting durability.

  • Select leather basketballs for the serious player. For indoor courts only, these balls are easier to control, allowing for better dribbling and quicker passes. The leather holds a truer shape and size, but wears out quickly on concrete.
  • Choose synthetic leather for practice balls. More durable than leather balls, they still offer the same feel. Synthetic basketballs are the best for playground use.
  • Opt for rubber basketballs for the beginning player. Extremely durable and easy to control, these inexpensive balls repel moisture. Excellent choice for children.

WHAT SIZE BASKETBALL SHOULD I CHOOSE?

  • Official size is 29.5 inches in circumference. This is the ball used in all high school, college and professional men’s games.
  • Intermediate size is 28.5 inches around. Women’s high school, college and professional basketball players use this ball. It’s also a good ball for teenagers not ready for the larger size.
  • Junior size is specially made for children under the age of 10. The ball measures 27 inches around and is ideal for smaller hands.
  • The mini-size is a collector’s ball, and it’s a great choice for kids and stocking stuffers.

Along with the size and materials of your basketball, don’t discount ball handling. Look for channeling on your basketball; it’s the separation between the basketball panels. The wider the panels, the easier to grip. Pebbling refers to the tiny dots on the basketball. Deeper pebbling allows for better handling.

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