Basketball was first invented in 1950. Before this, the basketball game was played with the soccer ball. The basketball game was first created in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith. From then this game was played with the soccer ball, and the weight of the soccer ball is quite heavy, so to play this game comfortably the basketball was invented. There have many sizes of basketball in the market. And the size varies for different ages and gender persons. The accurate circumference and weight of the basketball are given below.
Last update on 2021-01-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Basketball size 3
Size 3 basketball is known as "mini basketball." The circumferences of this basketball are- 22 inches, and the weight is 10 ounces. This 3-size basketball is for 4-8 years, old boys and girls. This basketball is also suitable for all ages people.
Basketball size 4
Size 4 basketball is for 5-8 years old boys and girls. The weight of this basketball is 14 ounces, and circumference is- 25.5 inches.
Basketball size 5
Size 5 basketball is the standard size basketball that you will find in almost every store. The circumference of the size 5 basketball is 27.5 inches, and the weight 17 ounces.
Basketball size 6
The size 6 basketball is for 12-14 ages boys and 12 and up ages girls and women. This size basketball is the official size for the women's high school, college, and professional. The circumference of this basketball is 28.5 inches, and weight is 20 ounces.
Basketball size 7
The size 7 basketball is for boys and men aged 15 and up. It is the official size for the men's high school, college, and professional. The circumference of this basketball is 29.5 inches, and weight is 22 ounces.
The weight of the different size basketball seems like a little bit more, but it makes a huge difference in shooting.
The different league uses different size basketball for gameplay.
The NBA and WNBA
The NBA allows 29.5 inches circumference basketball while the WNBA uses the 29 inches circumference basketball.
The NCAA
30 inches circumference and 22 ounces basketball are used for NCAA men's basketball tournament while 29 inches circumference and 20 ounces basketball are used for NCAA women's tournament.
FIBA
For international men's basketball tournament, a 7 size basketball with 30.7 inches circumference is used, and for international women's basketball tournament, a 6 size basketball with 29 inches circumference is used. And the ball should be bounced at the height of 47 to 55 inches while dropping from a height of 6 ft.
Youth Sizes
In the youth or junior basketball tournament, the NBA size basketball is used if the age of the player is eight years or above, and if the age is younger than eight, then the smaller size basketball is used.
Indoor basketball
Basketball is generally made for indoor play. So the material is different from the outdoor basketball. The indoor basketball is made with full-grain leather. These balls are very smooth to touch, and after a few uses, they become broken in and very more comfortable to grip. These leather basketballs are not suitable for outdoor use because the concrete surface will damage the leather and make it rough and ruin the ball's grip.
Some basketballs are made with synthetic leather or composite. These kinds of balls don't need to be broken like a regular leather ball. But honestly speaking, the quality of these balls is not good enough.
Outdoor basketball
The outdoor basketball has a rubber surface so that it can absorb the rough surface of the concrete without losing the ball's grip. An outdoor basketball is good for the beginner because this type of ball is easy to control.
Some famous basketball manufacturer's name is given below. They are providing high-quality basketball for a long time.
Spalding
Spalding was the first basketball manufacturing company that provides basketball for official use. The founder of this company was A. G. Spalding. This company is producing basketball since that time (when basketball game invented), and it first produced the NBA's official basketball in 1983. And from 2012, this company became the official basketball provider for the Euro-league and Euro-cup competitions.
Molten
Molten is a Japanese sporting equipment manufacturing company currently providing basketballs for FIBA (All International Basketball Federation) world championships and continental qualifying events, the VTB United League, and many domestic leagues in different countries.
Wilson
Wilson sporting goods manufacturing company is the official basketball provider for all NCAA's tournaments. From 2015, Wilson also became a supplier for all FIBA-operated 3x3 competitions. Like other companies, it also provides various basketball for the consumer market. And Wilson was the first basketball supplier for the NBA's tournament (from 1946 to 1983).
Rawlings
Since 1902, Rawlings was manufacturing basketballs. This company became famous for producing a 10-panel ball (known as the TEN) and the traditional 8-panel balls. The TEN is the official basketball for the "Gus Macker" (the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the U.S.) and the Amateur Athletic Union.
Nike
From 2007 to 2012, Nike was the basketball supplier for the Euro-league and the Euro-cup (both are under Euro-league Basketball Company). And in the Philippines, the UAAP and NCAA use the Nike 4005 Official Tournament Balls.
Nivia
Nivia is a basketball manufacturing company based in Jalandhar (Punjab), India. And Nivia has been manufacturing basketball since 1934. It makes hand-stitched basketballs, which is used as official basketball for many national, international leagues, including the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
To get more information about Top 10 Outdoor Basketballs
