Height, stamina, agility, strength, and technique are the most critical characteristics that you will see in a good basketball player. But what type of ball they are playing with is the thing that you seldom ask. Professional players use high-quality balls that are extremely durable and one which helps in enhancing their game. You can easily tell the difference in the performance of a subpar ball and a superior ball. Try shooting some hoops and you will easily notice the difference. Doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or a pro player, playing with a good ball will definitely help sharpen your skill and performance.
In this article, we have selected some of the best basketballs that are known for its quality and endurance.
Let’s have a look at the seven best basketballs that are designed to deliver the best.
Our Top 7 Picks
1. Wilson Evolution Game Basketball
We are talking about the best selling ball in the country! Wilson Evolution Game Basketball is the most preferred basketball in high schools and among promising youngsters across the country. This ball surely comes with fantastic features.
With its composite laid-in channels, the ball provides a highly consistent texture and a strong grip on the entire surface letting you control the ball comfortably. The great thing about this ball is that it has a moisture-wicking composite cover that efficiently wicks away perspiration while giving you the desired grip. Its Cushion Core technology ensures a softer feel allowing you to control the ball with great ease.
If you’re looking for something that offers great grip and endurance, we recommend the Wilson Evolution Game Basketball.
Product details:
- Brand- Wilson
- Sport type- Basketball
- Weight- 1.2 pounds
Features:
- Evo-Microfiber Composite Cover provides proper grip, functionality, and durability
- Laid In Composite Channels create a high consistent texture and grip on the entire surface for easy control
- Cushion Core Carcass ensures a softer feel making the ball easy to grip and touch around the rim
- Approved for play by the National Federation of State High School Associations(NFHS).
Pros:
- The ball is made of high-quality material
- Quickly wicks away perspiration
- Provides a firm grip
- It’s very durable.
Cons:
- The ball won’t last long in rough surfaces.
2. Baden Elite Indoor Game Basketball
Dribble and shoot like professionals with the Baden Elite Indoor Game Basketball designed to deliver the best. Specifically crafted for Elite players, this basketball has it all when it comes to consistency and playability.
This basketball has advanced microfiber cover that proffers maximum grip and a perfect balance of tack and softness for optimum control. The patented Cushion Control technology creates a much softer and bouncier feel while also maintaining its durability. With its Stealth Soft-Valve System, you can hardly notice the valve regardless of where you touch during the game.
With a unique symmetrical design, the Elite Indoor Basketball is second to none when it comes to consistency and equilibrium.
Product details:
- Brand- Baden
- Sport type- Basketball
- Weight- 1 pound
Features:
- Advanced Microfiber Outer Cover for superior grip and control
- Cushioned Control Technology provides a softer and bouncier feel
- Stealth Soft-Valve System softens the entire valve panel and produce an undetectable valve
- Wide channel design
- Symmetrical design for perfect balance and consistency
- Approved for play by the National Federation of State High School Associations(NFHS).
Pros:
- Offers better grip and tact
- Perfect pricing
- Long-lasting indoor basketball
- Bouncing is on the next level.
Cons:
- Lacks air retention features.
3. Spalding Precision Indoor Basketball
When it comes to basketball, Spalding never ever disappoints. No wonder it makes the official NBA basketball! Crafted for serious players, the Spalding Precision Indoor Basketball is the ultimate game-changer. Its Eco-Grip cover provides a much softer and easy handles when dribbling and shooting while the deep channel design helps you control the ball efficiently.
Also, the responsive cushioned sponge technology offers a soft, comfortable feel and a strong bounce. Plus, this basketball is sent to your house fully inflated so that you can start shooting the hoops right away.
Product details:
- Brand: Spalding
- Sport type: Basketball
- Weight: 3.52 Ounces
Features:
- Eco grip composite cover with game-ready grip and feel
- Deep channel design for superior control
- Responsive cushioned sponge carcass
- Butyl bladder for air retention
- NFHS Approved
- Ships fully inflated and game-ready.
Pros:
- Very responsive and functional
- Great bounces
- Excellent grip
- It’s lightweight
- Great rebound response
- Made of durable materials.
Cons:
- Not suitable for outdoor play.
4. Molten X-Series Composite Basketball
Designed with athleticism in mind, Molten basketballs are widely popular among elite athletes around the globe. Unsurprisingly, it is the official basketball of FIBA!
The Molten X Series basketball features a perfectly aligned pebble surface providing a very consistent grip for superior control and accuracy during passing and shooting. To make bouncing more precise and consistent, the ball uses the Butyl bladder system which simultaneously helps in the retention of air.
Another unique feature of Molten X Series is the GIUGIARO design. This 12 panel, multi-color design, and its additional control canals ensure that you achieve perfect rotation control and enhanced visibility so that you can keep track of the rotation.
Product details:
- Brand- Molten
- Sport type- Basketball
- Weight-1.23 pounds
Features:
- Premium Composite Leather Cover
- Butyl Bladder
- Consistent touch: A perfectly aligned pebbling, ensuring a consistent contact no matter where the ball is held
- Enhanced visibility: The 12 panel GIUGIARO design features a sharp color contrast making the balls more visible to players and spectators alike.
- GIUGIARO 12 Panel Design: Giorgetto Giugiaro, creator of the Molten’s signature GIUGIARO design and one of the top industrial designers in the world, strives to integrate utility and beauty in his work.
Pros:
- Great grip and touch
- Nice color combination
- Durable
- Good bouncing
- Premium quality
Cons:
- A couple of users opined that the ball should have come inflated
- One user received the ball in deflated and wrinkled condition.
5. Wilson NCAA Limited Basketball
It’s really frustrating when a sudden pouring halts an ongoing game and you have to protect your basketball from catching ‘cold’. Fortunately, we can avoid that from happening because we have the Wilson NCAA Limited Basketball!
Wilson NCAA Limited basketball comes with a high-performance composite cover that can withstand tough surfaces and other harsh outdoor elements. You can also achieve better grip, control, bounce and air retention with the help of its pressure-lock butyl bladder.
With laid-in composite channel design, this heavy-duty basketball provides maximized grip-ability and playability.
Product details:
- Brand- Wilson
- Sport type- Basketball
- Weight- 1 pound
Features:
- High-Performance Composite Cover for unrivaled grip and control
- Laid In Composite Channels provides a 100% composite cover
- Premium Carcass Construction for improved rebound and durability
- Pressure lock bladder locks in air to maintain optimal ball pressure
- Indoor/Outdoor Use
Pros:
- Good bounce and grip
- Quality construction
- Can be used even on rough surfaces
- Very durable
Cons:
- One user complained that the ball did not bounce well.
6. Xedge Basketballs
Xedge, though new in the basketball field, has proved itself that it can produce the best to beat the best in the basketball world. Xedge basketball uses a special PU composite leather with enhanced coating which provides a superior grip and great control.
The ball uses a Butyl bladder which helps more in the retention of air than rubber bladder and offers correct bounce and durability.
Get the Xedge basketball if you’re looking for something new and promising.
Product details:
- Brand- Xedge
- Sport type- Basketball
- Weight- 1.6 pounds
Features:
- Specially designed PU composite leather cover and coating
- Nylon wound and Butyl bladder for accurate bouncing and air retention
- Official NBA size and weight
- Gift package: comes with basketball carry bag, one air pump, and two needles
- For indoor and outdoor use.
Pros:
- Fantastic quality
- Quite grippy and responsive
- Easy to inflate
- The carry bag is very convenient
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors
Cons:
- One Amazon user complained that the ball has odd traction which rubs and stick to the hand
- Another user felt that the ball is not suitable for outdoors.
7. Under Armour Stephen Curry Basketball Official
Designed with durability and performance in mind, the Under Armour Stephen Curry Basketball features a durable rubber cover that can be used even on rough surfaces like gravel and Butyl bladder which provides maximum air retention.
The ball comes in two different color schemes; black/yellow, navy blue/yellow and has an exclusive Stephen Curry signature symbol.
This all-surface game ball uses UA GRIPSKIN technology which provides excellent grip and soft feel thus helping you to increase your skill and performance.
Product details:
- Brand- Under Armour
- Sport type- Basketball
- Weight- 1.5 pounds
Features:
- UA GRIPSKIN rubber that can be used on all surfaces
- Butyl bladder for air retention
- Stephen Curry SC30 logo
- Wide channel design for superior grip and control
Pros:
- Sleek and compact design
- Nice color combination
- Durable material
- Can be used for both indoor and outdoor
- Has good grip
Cons:
- Some users complained that the ball gets deflated within hours after being pumped up
How to pick the best basketball
Finding good basketball can be difficult especially for beginners since it comes in different colors, sizes, and materials. You need to first understand the type of playground you play upon or the intensity of the game. That way you will be able to choose the right ball for the right surface.
Size
Generally, basketball comes in four standard sizes:
- SIZE 7: This is the official size used in high school, college and elite level. Recommended for boys of 14 years and above. Circumference should be 29.5″ and 22 oz in weight.
- SIZE 6: Recommended for boys and girls of age group 12 and 13. Circumference should be 28.5″ and 20 0z in weight.
- SIZE 5: Circumference of the ball should be 27.5″ and 17 oz in weight. Recommended for boys and girls of 9 to 11 age group.
- SIZE 4: Children of 5 to 8 years of age should use this size. Circumference should be 25.5″ and 14 oz in weight.
Materials
Commonly three types of materials are used in manufacturing basketballs:
- Leather: Basketball made from this material are used in elite and professional levels. They are soft and bouncy. But this ball cannot be used for outdoor plays as they wear off easily once it hit the rough surface.
- Rubber: Made for street play, rubber basketballs are cheaper and are mostly used for recreational purposes. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Synthetic: Made from composite leather using polyurethane, these basketballs are extremely durable and can be used for outdoor plays.
10 Basketball Facts
- This famous game was invented in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts by Dr.James Naismith, who was a Canadian physical education instructor.
- It all started with a peach basket and a soccer-style ball.
- The game was first played in public on 11 March 1892 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
- The International Basketball Federation(FIBA) is the sport’s global governing body.
- The first NBA(earlier known as BAA) game was held in Toronto on November 1, 1946, at Maple Leaf Garden. The competing teams were The New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies. The Knicks won 68-66.
- Spain won the 2019 FIBA World Cup with a 95-75 win over Argentina.
- Chris Ford of the Bolton Celtics is widely credited with making the first three-point shot in NBA history.
- Michael Jordan is the only player to score more playoff points than anyone else.
- An average NBA player weighs 220 pounds.
- Slam dunks were considered illegal.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative. Best of luck to you in finding the best basketball.