Today’s NBA is one of the most entertaining athletic spectacles there is. World-class superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry fly up and down the court with incredible precision, grace, and athleticism. But as you’re watching these players play, how often do you consider the tools they are using?
Have you ever considered what an NBA game ball is made out of, who produces it, and how much money it’s worth? It’s probably more than you think. Let’s take a closer look at the ridiculous amount that one NBA game ball costs.
An NBA basketball on the court before a game | Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images
The history of the NBA basketball
While a lot of equipment goes into the NBA game, there’s no single piece of equipment more important than the ball. And that piece of equipment has a history nearly as old as the game itself.
The first basketball ever used wasn’t a basketball at all. When Dr. James Naismith developed the game in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, he had the first players use a soccer ball to play the game.
Naismith then went to A.G. Spalding and asked him to design a ball specifically for this game. The game’s official rules Naismith wrote mandated that Spalding make all official balls used for the sport.
How the basketball has evolved throughout the years
Spalding designed the first synthetic leather basketball in 1972. In 1983, Spalding’s basketball became the official basketball of the NBA. In 1992, Spalding introduced the composite leather basketball, which had a lighter touch but also added durability.
Finally in 1997, Spalding became the official ball of the WNBA — this ball resembled the NBA’s ball, only it was orange and white instead of solid orange.
Spalding’s name is essentially synonymous with the NBA and WNBA now. It’s also synonymous with the idea of playing basketball for many young hoopers who play in elementary, middle, and high school as well as in college.
But while many people probably think the basketballs used professionally are the same standard-issue balls used in gyms all around the country, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
How much does an authentic NBA game ball cost?
The cost of an authentic, game-ready NBA basketball is probably way more than you think. It’s also way more than what you’d drop walking into a sporting goods store to buy most kinds of basketball.
A Spalding replica ball retails at $59.99. At most sporting goods stores, you can get an indoor basketball for probably around $30. If you guessed either of those prices for how much an actual NBA game ball costs, you’d be way off. According to the Spalding website, an official NBA game ball costs $169.99.
The Spalding website advertises the following features of their NBA game basketballs:
Official NBA size and weight: Size 7, 29. 5″
Full-grain Horween leather cover
Ships inflated
Designed for indoor play only
What does this mean? It means Spalding puts a lot of resources into the NBA’s actual balls – more than the resources that go into the basketballs that hit the shelves of most sporting goods retailers. You can obviously buy one of these, but they’re a lot less readily available than those other modestly-priced basketballs.
One important distinction? The ball is marked for indoor play only. Many Spalding balls double as indoor/outdoor balls that can be used in either setting. These are custom-made to be used on NBA hardwood floors. Using them anywhere else could do significant damage to the ball.
While it’s true the NBA basketball is a bit pricier than the average ball, for the cost mentioned above you can have one of your own. Just be sure to take good care of it and not use it outdoors as it could be damaged — and you’ll be $169.99 lighter.
How Much Is a Basketball?
Written by: Howmuchisit. org Staff
Last Updated: August 15, 2018
When deciding on purchasing a basketball, you’re going to find there are a lot of choices available. It’s not as simple as purchasing the first basketball you see on the shelf.
“basketball goal – Copy” (CC BY 2.0) by Hobbies on a Budget
How much does a basketball cost?
The cost of a basketball will depend on the type, the brand and the retailer you choose. A simple rubber ball can cost as little as $7, while an official basketball can cost upwards of $100.
If you are looking for an outdoor ball for your child, your best bet is a cheap rubber ball, such as the Voit Indoor/Outdoor rubber youth basketball. This type of ball can cost anywhere from as little as $7.50.
If you are looking for a decent ball you can practice with indoors, a ball, such as the MacGregor X100 microfiber indoor ball, will do the trick. This type of ball will cost about $20 and $30.
Indoor/outdoor composite basketballs can cost anywhere from $19 to $30.
If you are in need of a game ball, the Spalding TF-1000 ZK or ZK Pro, for example, can retail for $40 to $50.
A genuine leather basketball, such as the Spalding Official NBA Ball, will cost about $60 to $100.
Basketball Brands
Price Range
Spalding Indoor/Outdoor Basketball
$27 to $40
Spalding Outdoor Rubber Ball
$12 to $27
Spalding Street Basketball
$10 to $20
Wilson Evolution Indoor Ball
$44 to $64
At Walmart, for example, the highest rated basketballs retail from as little as $7 for a MacGregor official sized ball to as much as $55 for a Wilson Evolution high school ball.
Target, on the other hand, has similar prices, with a Spalding street ball retailing for $15 to as much as $35+ for a Spalding Premier 29. 5-inch basketball.
The sizes
Basketballs will come in three sizes: five, six and seven. The sizes will depend on the age of the player.
Size five basketballs are designed for children up to age 11. These balls will measure 27.5 inches in circumference and will weigh 18 ounces.
Size six basketballs are for those between 12 to 16 years old. These balls will measure 28.5 inches in circumference and will weigh 20 ounces.
Size seven basketballs are designed for those 17 and up. These balls will measure 29.5 inches in circumference and will weigh 22 ounces. This is the size used in the NBA.
The material
Basketballs are primarily divided into two categories: indoor and indoor/outdoor. Indoor balls will be made from a leather or composite, while an indoor/outdoor ball will be made from a durable composite or rubber.
What are the extra costs?
Balls that have an official NBA or high school association seal will cost more than one without the seal.
An air pump is recommended for balls that don’t have a self-pump built within. A pump can start at $5.
Tips to know:
While it can easy to purchase a basketball online, you may want to head to a physical store and try it out in person. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the basketball and see if that material is suitable for your play.
A leather basketball will be soft to the touch and will offer a nice grip, while a composite basketball will simulate the feel of leather and can absorb moisture well. A rubber basketball will be the most durable out of all materials and can be the cheapest in terms of price.
If you’re going to play outside, it’s best to purchase a ball made from a composite material since some balls aren’t designed to hit concrete.
How can I save money?
Check for coupons both online or consider purchasing coupons on eBay. Many sports stores have sales and promotions where you can save up to 40%+ on your purchase.
If you are buying basketballs for a team, the best way to save money is to buy a set of basketballs (usually 12 or 15). Most companies sell each basketball cheaper if you are buying more than 10.
Top brands to consider:
Molten
Molten is a Japanese manufacturer that provides the official game balls for all FIBA championships. These balls will be marketed under the “Elite Competition” line and will be made of either leather or composite.
Nike
Nike holds the contract to the Union of European Leagues of Basketball and is the maker of many recreation balls.
Spalding
Quite possibly the most popular basketball brand, Spalding has been manufacturing basketballs since 1876. This is the official manufacturer of the NBA, and the company produces a variety of basketballs.
Wilson
Known for its flagship ball, the SOLUTION, Wilson is the official basketball of the NCAA. Its basketballs are created from composite materials and is designed to hold moisture as the game is played.
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Basketball for children - what is useful, at what age to play
Basketball is one of the most popular sports games. Basketball for children is considered one of the early sports, because kids can be enrolled in the first lessons from the age of 3. But the most important advantage of basketball is its accessibility.
Sections for children are available in schools and neighborhood clubs, and classes are often free. And if you are not ready to give the child to the section, just buy him a ring and a ball and hang it on your site and the kid will already be busy in sports, which means he will get the maximum benefit for development.
Benefits of basketball for children, what qualities it develops
Before sending a child to a section, parents should know how basketball is useful for children and what qualities it develops.
First of all, like any team sport, basketball develops social skills. Working in a team, children learn to help each other, care about common interests and work for the good of the team.
Moreover, this basketball is an excellent emotional release. It helps the guys throw out negative energy and get positive emotions. Along with this, character is tempered during classes, and the child learns to go towards the goal, sacrificing his own desires and needs.
Basketball also helps to get rid of complexes. This is especially true for tall girls who are noticeably taller than their peers. In a team where all players are taller than average, the girls no longer feel like a black sheep, but gain self-confidence and begin to be proud of their height.
The influence of playing basketball on the physical development of a child
The influence of playing basketball on the physical development of a child is also strong. First of all, the guys involved in this sport develop endurance, and all muscle groups are strengthened. Basketball practice - these are jumping, running, swinging arms, tilts and squats, which allow you to develop all muscle groups and strengthen the heart and blood vessels.
In addition to the general health benefits, basketball will also help prevent the development of certain diseases that result from an inactive lifestyle.
What's more, basketball develops:
Overview of vision. Due to the fact that the player must constantly keep an eye on the ball and other players, the field of view is improved. Children learn to manage peripheral vision and train their eyes;
Reaction speed. Often during a match, an athlete must make lightning-fast decisions on which the outcome of the game depends. This helps children learn to respond quickly to emergency situations;
Mindfulness. Through intense play, attention and memory develop, which not only has a beneficial effect on the playground, but also in studies and everyday life.
Given these facts, the question of what basketball gives a child can be answered that classes will strengthen physical, mental and mental health. That is why basketball is often recommended to children suffering from reduced attention and weak immunity. But not all children can benefit from basketball, you can find out what kind of sport is suitable for a child here.
Does playing basketball make children grow
It is often said that basketball makes children grow, but is it really so? Recent studies have shown that yes, indeed, he can help the baby grow up, but is not able to grow a giant out of him.
The increase in height is due to the straightening of the spine, which is stretched during jumps. Also, a slight increase in growth contributes to the strengthening of the muscles of the back and legs.
But to say that basketball can significantly affect the growth of an athlete is wrong, there is no scientific justification for this.
The fact that in the sections all children are really tall is explained simply - short children simply leave this sport, because they cannot compete with tall athletes, as a result they move on to other sports, for example, volleyball, where they need both tall and undersized athletes.
At what age can a child play basketball
For preschool children, basketball is available from 3 years of age. Often this game is played in physical education classes in kindergarten. Of course, such a crumb will not be taken to the section, but at this age the child can already be introduced to the ball and the net.
Professional basketball training for children starts at the age of 5-6 years. At this age, you can enroll in a section at the sports palace, both boys and girls are accepted. The first 4-5 years the guys work out together, and only at the age of 10 the coach forms the men's and women's teams.
Basketball for beginners is more about general physical training and familiarity with the ball. In the first years of training, the coach pays special attention to the development of endurance, so most of the training takes place in the fresh air.
In the gym, the guys learn different techniques and combinations, and also learn how to hit the basket. According to statistics, it is in their youth that children are more likely to encounter injuries in basketball. This is due to not yet developed coordination and lack of skills in programming movements.
That is why sports insurance for basketball at this age is a necessity, because it will reimburse the costs of treatment and provide the young athlete with high-quality rehabilitation, which will prevent the occurrence of fatigue injuries and chronic injuries in the future.
Age characteristics of children in basketball
Age characteristics of children in basketball are a fundamental factor in drawing up a schedule and training plan.
Consider how the load of basketball players changes with age:
3-5 years. At this age, kids still do not know how to memorize the rules of the game and listen to the coach. All classes are held in a playful way and are aimed at developing coordination of movements and mindfulness;
5-7 years old. During this period, special attention is paid to the physical development and increasing the flexibility of the child. The goal of the trainer is to maximize endurance and strengthen all muscle groups. Also at this stage, children begin to learn the rules of basketball and learn various tactical and dynamic techniques;
7-9 years old. This is the age at which real training starts. At the age of 8, children can already participate in competitions. Now all their work is aimed at the result of the whole team. During these years, the main task of the coach is to teach the guys to interact with each other;
10-12 years old. At this age, men's and women's teams are formed. Now the team is becoming a real family with common goals and objectives. Most often, it is at this age that the first victories occur;
12-14 years old. At this age, children learn to program their movements. This is a very important stage for every basketball player, because the final result of the maneuver depends on it. At this time, the main task of the coach is to hone the movements of each player to the ideal;
14-16 years old. This is the time to master tactical thinking. The brain of a teenager is already ready to solve tactical problems and make quick decisions. At this moment, the coach already sees which of the guys can become a real champion;
16-18 years old. This is the age when a teenager must show all the acquired skills. Strong players are formed into teams to participate in important competitions. At this time, the start in a sports career begins, because the guys already have sports categories and can participate in adult competitions.
If you want to grow a real champion out of a child, a section at a school or a sports palace is a good place to start. Later, by the age of 7, the basketball section for children should be focused specifically on professional activities. Such a section can be found in any city, because this sport is very popular. You can choose a section closer to home in our catalog of sports schools and sections.
Basketball is one of the sports for children, which has a minimum of contraindications and a maximum of benefits. Classes on the playground and in the gym can be the best hobby for a child, because during the game the guys learn true friendship. Moreover, basketball for children will also help parents in raising a teenager, because the child will grow up in a healthy company and he simply will not have time for nonsense.
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In 1992, Spalding introduced the composite leather basketball, which had a lighter touch but also added durability. 
5″
org Staff
5-inch basketball.
Its basketballs are created from composite materials and is designed to hold moisture as the game is played.
First of all, the guys involved in this sport develop endurance, and all muscle groups are strengthened. Basketball practice - these are jumping, running, swinging arms, tilts and squats, which allow you to develop all muscle groups and strengthen the heart and blood vessels. 
According to statistics, it is in their youth that children are more likely to encounter injuries in basketball. This is due to not yet developed coordination and lack of skills in programming movements. 
During this period, special attention is paid to the physical development and increasing the flexibility of the child. The goal of the trainer is to maximize endurance and strengthen all muscle groups. Also at this stage, children begin to learn the rules of basketball and learn various tactical and dynamic techniques; 
At this time, the main task of the coach is to hone the movements of each player to the ideal; 
