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A typical basketball
A Basketball is the spherical ball used in basketball games. The Basketball is made from to common material, rubber and leathers*. The basketball is divided into many different sizes from size 1 through 7 and no size 2, depending on players age or theirs level. Each material will be different to play basketball in a different environment, balls made from Rubber only used in outdoors. But leather balls used for indoors. Today basketball is used both indoors and outdoors depending on the ball and the model they have.
Size 1: Suitable for ages 2 through 4
Size 3: Suitable for 4 to 8 years old boys and girls
Size 4: Suitable for 5 - 8 years old boys and girls
Size 5: Youth basketball, suitable for 9-11
Size 6: Women's Match Ball Size, also suitable for boys ages from 12 - 14
Size 7: Men's Match Ball Size and suitable for men's in all ages.
For the High School Game Balls, the balls should have the NFHS logo to be used in High School basketball
For the Collegiate game balls, the balls should have the NCAA logo to be used in the Collegiate Tournaments.
For League the balls should have the league logo to used in the league.
Before all the basketballs to be use in all tournaments and approved by federations. All the basketballs must go to the quality control under strictest conditions in order to get approved by the league, tournament logo and FIBA. The test are weight, Circumference, bounce, loss of pressure, shape and size retention and roundness.
For international match Basketballs, every ball should pass the standard, and labeled FIBA Approved and Official Game ball.
*: Leathers balls are always better than the Rubber ball.
Today, Non-FIBA Approved and FIBA Approved basketballs are sold wisely in the market.
Brands that have other approved stamped basketballs
NFHS, NCAA:
Wilson (USA) (Codeshare on some models including EvoNXT game balls)
Spalding (USA) (NFHS only)
Brands that have FIBA Approved Basketballs:
Molten (Japan)*
Wilson (USA)**
Mikasa (Japan)
Decathlon (France)
Basketball uses in tournaments:
Spalding (NBA [Former], NFHS, some leagues and other tournaments around the world)
Wilson (NFHS, NCAA, FIBA 3x3, NBA [Since 2021], Some FIBA competitions including the Basketball Champions League)
Molten (All FIBA competitions, in FIBA 3x3, some competitions uses this ball, some leagues also uses the ball.)
*: Molten is an exclusive Partner for FIBA. Making FIBA 3x3 and FIBA 5x5 basketball. Molten 3x3 Basketball are used in some tournaments, including the South East Asian Games.
**: Wilson also provides FIBA 3x3 match ball for every FIBA 3x3 tournaments.