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 Does a Good Basketball Cost? – Baller Gears
A good basketball will cost anywhere between $29. 99 and $69.99. Some affordable basketballs are the Spalding NBA Zi/O, Wilson NCAA Replica Basketball, Spalding TF-5000, and the Wilson Evolution Basketball.
The official basketball for the NBA is the Spalding NBA Official Game Ball and it is the most expensive basketball with the best feel. If you want the same basketball that NBA players use, then it will cost about $149.99.
Wet grip microfiber composite leather cover helps wick away sweat and has a game-ready feel straight out of the box
Official ball of the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)
Check out the Spalding TF-5000 Basketball here –> https://amzn.to/3qlw6aD
Features:
Premium Evo microfiber composite cover provides a grip that players love and durability to last all-season and beyond
NFHS approved: approved for play by the national federation of state high school associations (NFHS)
Check out the Wilson Evolution Basketball here –> https://amzn. to/3rSmJPL
Features:
Foam backed design for excellent feel
Designed for indoor and outdoor play
Check out the Spalding NBA Zi/O Basketball here –> https://amzn.to/3ps4bVe
Features:
Replica of the NCAA Game Ball
Moisture absorbing material offers superior grip ability designed for indoor/outdoor play
Check out the Wilson NCAA Replica Basketball here –> https://amzn.to/2ZiHxny
Features:
Official game ball of the NBA
Amazing grip that feels second nature
Learn more about the Spalding NBA Official Game Ball here –>https://amzn.to/3ajeKp2
Disclosure: Links on this page may be affiliate links and may give us a commission to run the site with no extra cost to you.
For more posts, check out:
Best Spalding Basketball
Best Wilson Basketball
Which is Better: Wilson or Spalding Basketball?
What Basketball Does the NBA Use?
How Long Do Outdoor Basketballs Last?
Can You Play Basketball With Gloves?
Increase Your Vertical Jump | Learn How To Dunk
Why Are Air Jordans So Popular?
When Did Nike Make NBA Jerseys?
Why Are There Ads On NBA Jerseys?
Why Did The NBA Ban Ninja Headbands?
What is a Weighted Basketball Used For?
Why Did NBA Shorts Get Longer?
Why Do NBA Players Wear Hoodies?
Basketball in Sportmaster
Sportmaster stores have a wide range of basketball products, which are of high quality and affordable price.
Mobile basketball stand DFC KIDS B
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Basketball Molten B7R No. 7 Orange
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Brown Proch No. 6 BREVN
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DFC Board 48P
Basketball stand DFC 245-305 cm and grid KB51 KB-02
Torres SLAM B00067 BroWN/White
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Bruscatball Ball Larsen Slam Dunk No. 7 Black
Torres JAM B00047 Blue
Basket Basket Bas-Jump
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Basketball backboard DFC 32 DFC BOARD32C
Basketball hoop №7 with net
Basketball ball WELSTAR BR2796A р.7
Basketball ball Jogel JB-500 №7 brown
Basketball Jogel Street Star #7 red
Basketball Spalding TF-250 #6 brown
Basketball Molten BGH6X #6 brown
Basketball Wilson 21 Series WTB2103, 7, red, amateur, glued
DFC 900 Backboard basketball 60 BOARD60P
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Basketball stand DFC STAND44PVC1
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For many of us, leisure is inseparable from basketball. Of course, in order to play it, you need important attributes - basketballs. There are currently 9 on the market0222 basketballs in various brands and sizes. However, the most popular balls are " Molten", "Spalding" and "Nike". These balls are of high quality, meet international standards and have not lost their leading positions for many years.
Basketball size
Balls of different diameters are selected according to gender and age. basketballs are available in sizes 3 to 7. 7 size basketball, is intended for youth over 12 years old and professional male athletes. Women play with a size 6 during competitions, and children under eight can easily play with a size 5 basketball.
The main manufacturers of basketballs
The largest manufacturer of basketballs is the Japanese company "Molten". This company has been on the market for over sixty years. "Molten" basketballs are ideal for for official competitions and intensive training.
Spalding is a manufacturer of sports equipment from the USA, from Springfield. Teams of Major Basketball League, Superleague and Youth League play with Spalding balls.
"Nike" - Basketballs from this company are used in ULEB Euroleague games.
Outdoor and Indoor Basketballs
Before choosing a basketball, it is important to know where you will play basketball - on the street or in the hall, because the balls designed for games in different conditions differ. Basketballs, intended for playing outdoors, are marked with " Outdoor", and those with which basketball is played in the hall are marked with - "Indoor". There are also versatile basketballs that are suitable for both outdoor and indoor play. They are marked as - " Indoor/Outdoor".
Outdoor basketballs are more durable because they must be in contact with concrete and asphalt. Basically, these models are made of rubber and have a rough surface. The thicker the rubber layer, the better - the ball will last longer.
Indoor basketballs are made from genuine leather or leather composite. Usually, a rubber layer is applied to the base, nylon seams are applied on top, and a leather coating is applied on top. Also for games in the hall, choose balls with a soft polyurethane surface.
Most basketballs have markings, so pay attention to their markings. A lot of useful information can be extracted from the marking, for example, the inscription "FIBA" means that the ball complies with international standards and can be played with during competitions.
Models of Basketballs
There are many models of basketballs on the market. One of the most popular is Molten bgg7.
In 1992, Spalding introduced the composite leather basketball, which had a lighter touch but also added durability. 
5″
99 and $69.99. Some affordable basketballs are the Spalding NBA Zi/O, Wilson NCAA Replica Basketball, Spalding TF-5000, and the Wilson Evolution Basketball. 
to/3rSmJPL
6 brown 
Of course, in order to play it, you need important attributes - basketballs. There are currently 9 on the market0222 basketballs in various brands and sizes. However, the most popular balls are " Molten", "Spalding" and "Nike". These balls are of high quality, meet international standards and have not lost their leading positions for many years. 
"Molten" basketballs are ideal for for official competitions and intensive training. 
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