BASKETBALLThe Beautiful Bounce

From leather to composite, from playgrounds to arenas - every bounce tells a story.

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Construction

Anatomy of a Basketball

A regulation basketball is 29.5 inches (75 cm) in circumference for men and 28.5 inches for women. It weighs between 20 and 22 ounces.

The iconic pebbled surface provides grip and control. Beneath the outer cover lies a rubber bladder wrapped in nylon or polyester windings, giving the ball its consistent bounce and shape.

Those distinctive black channel lines (called ribs) aren't just decorative - they help players position their hands for shooting, passing, and dribbling.

29.5″
Circumference
7.5
PSI Pressure
22oz
Weight
8
Panels

Materials

Types of Basketballs

Leather basketball

Full-Grain Leather

The gold standard for professional indoor play. Used by the NBA since 1983, genuine leather balls develop a better feel over time as the material breaks in. Premium grip on polished hardwood.

Composite basketball

Composite Leather

Synthetic leather offers consistent performance right out of the box. Great for indoor/outdoor versatility. The go-to choice for college, high school, and recreational players worldwide.

Rubber basketball

Rubber

Built to survive asphalt, concrete, and everything in between. Rubber balls are the backbone of street basketball culture, offering maximum durability and bounce on rough outdoor surfaces.

Origins

A Brief History

1891

The First Game

James Naismith invented basketball using a soccer ball and two peach baskets at a YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts. The first dedicated basketball wouldn't exist for another three years.

1894

A Ball of Its Own

The Overman Wheel Company produced the first basketball specifically designed for the sport - a laced leather ball slightly larger than today's standard size.

1942

Molded Construction

The introduction of molded basketballs eliminated the laces, creating a more predictable bounce and consistent feel that revolutionized ball handling and shooting.

1970

The Iconic Orange

Tony Hinkle developed the distinctive orange basketball so it would be more visible to players and spectators alike. Before this, most balls were dark brown.

2021

Wilson Takes Over

Wilson replaced Spalding as the official NBA game ball, marking the first change in the league's ball supplier in nearly four decades. The new ball features advanced composite materials and laser-etched channels.

Every Bounce
Starts Somewhere

Whether you're shooting hoops in the driveway or hitting the court for game time, it all begins with the ball in your hands.

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