Wilson authentic NBA game The Wilson NBA official game ball is made of the same materials, has the same eight-panel design, and meets the same performance criteria as the league's existing game balls, and uses the same leather. It is officially licensed by the NBA.
The basketball used in NBA games is known as a game ball because it is identical to the one that is used during practice and play throughout the season. The game ball is the only type permitted in NBA competition.
Each year new manufacturing processes are developed that allow for the creation of more durable balls at various weights. The ball used by the Los Angeles Lakers in this season's NBA Finals was constructed using a synthetic material; it is the first time that has been allowed in a championship series.
Game balls are standardized to weigh between 16 and 18 ounces, with some exceptions such as those that are used during international competitions. This weight allows them to be bounced safely across the court and provide equal resistance no matter where on the floor they are thrown.
Manufacturers produce many different types of game balls that are tailored to specific needs. These include balls designed for speed, defense, or overall feel when played.
Balls that are heavier than 18 ounces cannot be used in NBA games because they violate the standardization requirement.
Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and the NBA revealed the league's new official game ball on Thursday. The new ball will be used beginning with the regular season in 2021-22. The NBA and Wilson have committed to a multi-year collaboration, with Wilson taking over as the league's official ball manufacturer from Spalding.
The new ball is black with red highlights and features a white logo with blue trim. It weighs around 32 grams (1.21 ounces) and measures in at 10 inches in diameter. It is made of vulcanized rubber and has graphics designed to improve visibility on television screens.
Spalding produced basketballs for more than 80 years before being replaced last year by Under Armour. In addition to the NBA, Spalding balls are used by the WNBA, several European leagues, and various domestic competitions.
Wilson has become one of the leading manufacturers of sports equipment, including baseball bats, golf clubs, tennis racquets, and swimwear. It acquired Spalding's basketball business in 2017. Before that deal, Wilson had been partnering with the NBA for eight seasons as an alternate ball supplier. The company also sponsors two players: Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Booker has ranked among the top five rookies in scoring three straight years while Morant was named the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year after leading all first-year players with 26 victories.
The Official Spalding NBA Game. Basketball has been the NBA's official game ball since 1983. The full-grain leather cover on this indoor basketball gives great feel and touch, setting the benchmark for maximum performance and enjoyment. It is imported from the United States.
The ball used by the Los Angeles Lakers in the film Flashdance is a Spalding NBA Game ball. Actor Michael Douglas wears a real LA Lakers jersey while playing with this ball in the movie's closing scene.
Spalding also makes an outdoor basketball called the "Cityball". This ball is white with red stitching and has a black logo on one side. It is not as well known as the NBA ball but it is still used by some teams in continental Europe.
Finally, there is a ball called the "Euroball" that is used in international competitions such as the Olympic Games and World Championships. The Euroball has green and yellow panels with black markings like the NBA ball but it also has red and blue panels like the Cityball. No word yet on how this hybrid ball was received by audiences and referees alike but it should be interesting to see how it is received by people when it is launched later this year.
For now, we will have to make do with these three balls when they are used by the pros.
Wilson, located in Chicago, will produce the new game ball beginning with the 2021-22 season, according to the league. For almost 30 years, Spalding produced NBA basketballs. After 30 years of utilizing leather balls, the firm made the move to synthetic basketballs in 2006, only to face opposition. In 2014, Nike acquired a patent for "Airless basketballs", which would become the main component in many modern balls used today.
Synthetic balls are more durable and last longer than leather ones. This is because the material inside the ball can be changed or updated without having to scrap everything and start over. The NBA tests all its balls before use to make sure they're in good shape. If it gets too old or torn, it'll be replaced before play begins again.
Leather balls are made by cutting pieces from real cow hides and stitching them together. The resulting product has many of the same properties as the original animal skin. It's flexible and able to return to its original shape after being stretched or deformed. Leather balls are affordable and easy to work with but they tend to get scuffed up pretty quickly when played in competitive environments. This makes them not ideal for sports that involve moving parts like basketball.
The NBA uses pigskin for its balls because it's lightweight and offers great durability while still being soft enough to maintain its shape during play.
Wilson's primary basketball series are the NCAA, Evolution, Solution, and Collegiate. Wilson basketballs are typically constructed of composite leather and butyl bladders. The composite leather surface absorbs sweat from sweating palms, preventing the ball from slipping from the fingers during play. The butyl bladder inside the ball provides much needed cushioning for hands and balls during games.
In addition to composite leather and butyl bladders, some models may also include nubuck leather uppers or mesh vents. Nubuck is a natural fiber derived from the neck and chest area of the horse. It has a nice soft feel and looks good too! Mesh vents allow for more air to be pulled into the bladder, which helps it stay inflated longer.
The men's basketball comes in sizes 5-9, with weights ranging from 7 ounces to 9 ounces. The women's basketball comes in sizes 4-7, with weights ranging from 6 ounces to 8 ounces.
Balls that are too heavy for an individual to lift comfortably are called "overcrowded". Balls that are either too light or too heavy are called "undercrowded" or "oversized", respectively. The size and weight of a basketball will usually be indicated by its "sock" number (also called its "ball size"). There are several different types of socks used in the industry.