Most people who love playing basketball it’s all about getting one up on their opponent, becoming the best player who runs the hardest and scores the most on the court. If you want this getting the practice in will be key and using the best indoor basketball to get all your training in will be key.
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Most want a product that is going to last and at an affordable price getting this mix right can take a lot of research but we have done all that for you in our guide, getting the Best Indoor Basketball is not as simple as picking the best brand as this may not be as durable as one with a little less known name.
So we have done all the research to get this mix right and show you the top 5 basketballs on the market so let’s get right into it:
Baden Elite Indoor Game Basketball
- ELITE - Baden’s Elite basketball with a moisture grip gives you superior ball control throughout your game. You can only achieve Perfection by...
- DESIGN - The Elite’s proprietary composite microfiber cover provides superior grip and tack for optimum basketball control. Its patented...
- ADVANTAGE - This is a basketball that you can trust from the inside out. Whether you’re putting in hours practicing your free throws, passes,...
- AVAILABLE - Intermediate Size 6 (28.5”) and Official Size 7 (29.5”), NFHS Approved and Ships Fully inflated
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Take your game to the next level with the Baden Elite Basketball that is specifically made for superior performance on indoor courts. Baden has been making basketballs for the past three decades and in that time they have perfected their design and craft to deliver only the best basketballs. They always have the athlete in mind and their attention to detail of their Elite ball really shows this.
They’ve added patented Cushion Control Tech (CCT) in order to ensure that their ball has consistent and fluid bounces. CCT adds thousands of tiny air pockets to the skin of the ball making it light and uniform throughout the design. The advanced skin won’t absorb moisture, it won’t discolor or peel over time. This ball is truly meant to last even after hard usage. The design is truly symmetrical giving it a consistent grip and bounce every time. It is one of the most widely used official basketballs on the market and is the standard ball for many leagues in the US including high school, rec leagues, and club leagues.
- Official game size
- Microfiber skin improves grip
- Consistent feel and bounce
- Stealth inflation valve is not felt during play
Spalding NBA Zi/O 29.5″ Basketball
- Official NBA size and weight: Size 7, 29.5 inch
- Zi/O Tournament composite cover
- Foam backed design for excellent feel
- Designed for indoor and outdoor play
- Shipped inflated and game ready
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Don’t settle for anything less than the best! Get one of the best selling basketballs in the world with the Spalding NBA Indoor Outdoor basketball. This ball is official, versatile and rugged. It comes inflated right out of the box so there is no messing around trying to get the ball ready for play. Emblazoned with the NBA logo, this ball is the official size and shape of true NBA game balls. Make sure that your game lives up to that of the pros with this official game ready ball by Spalding.
Unlike other basketballs that are made for either indoor or outdoor play, Splading’s Zi/O model ball is tough enough to do both equally well. The thick, soft skin of this ball provides excellent grip and bounce whether that is on the hardwood, hardpack or concrete. You will instantly bring unmatched reputation and performance to the court with this amazing ball made by Spalding. Play like the pros today!
- Official size and weight, same as the balls used on NBA courts
- Rugged design means it can be used indoor and outdoor equally well
- Provides excellent bounce, grip and feel
Wilson Evolution Game Basketball
- When you focus on getting better, and not just on getting results, success takes care of itself. That is why the Wilson Evolution Game Ball is...
- Signature EVO feel: the soft feel that the evolution basketball is famous for is due it’s cushion core carcass, making the ball softer to the...
- Grip & durability: the premium Evo microfiber composite cover provides a grip that players love and durability to last all-season and beyond
- Ultimate control: laid-in composite channels create a consistent feel and texture over the entire surface of the basketball to provide...
- NFHS approved: approved for play by the national federation of state high school associations (NFHS)
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Wilson has pulled out all of the stops in bringing you their Evolution Indoor Basketball. This is the #1 indoor basketball in the United States. Officially approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations this ball is found on more indoor courts than any other ball in America. That is because it is not only iconic in look and design but the Evolution by Wilson is also now iconic for its performance, design, and enhancements. Nothing else on the market compares.
Wilson is known for how soft their balls are and the Evolution is the pinnacle of their softest feeling. This is because of their brilliant Cushion Core Carcass design which makes this ball soft and easy to grip. This makes the ball handle especially well around the rim and gives you ultimate control to sink the toughest of shots. This is bolstered by the Premium Evo Microfiber Composite Cover which not only enhances the softness and grip of the ball but is also designed to last through tough seasons of play without wearing down.
- Officially recognized by the NFSHSA for play
- Official game size
- Soft grip and signature Wilson look and feel
- #1 indoor basketball in America
Wilson NCAA Official Game Basketball
- Official game ball of the NCAA Basketball Championships
- Moisture Absorbing Cover - Ultimate grip in playing conditions
- Laid in composite channels provide unparalleled control. Pebble composite channels
- Cushion core carcass allows a softer feel that's easier to grip and touch around the rim
- Approved for play by NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
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Practice and play like the best! Get the Wilson NCAA Official Game Basketball today and make sure that you are getting the same game experience as the best athletes in the country. This ball is the official ball used by the NCAA for all of their tournaments and sanctioned events. Play with the same ball that the best collegiate athletes in the world play with.
The NCAA trusts Wilson in their most sacred events because of Wilson’s epic history of performance and feel on the court. Their balls are soft, grip well and give the ultimate control. This is because they have packed in design features that keep the athlete in mind. Their Cushion Core Carcass makes the ball super soft and easy to grip giving you that extra feel you need to sink the toughest shots. This is paired with their composite channels and superior pebble texture in order to create a basketball that is unmatched in terms of grip, feel and control.
- Official NCAA ball used in all official tournaments
- Iconic Wilson look and feel
- Superior soft feel and ultimate grip
Molten X-Series Leather Basketball
- FIBA Approved
- Top Grain Leather Cover
- Butyl Bladder
- Indoor Use
- 2- Year Warranty
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Don’t get the best basketball in America, get the best basketball in the world. Molten is the brand that is trusted by FIBA. The Molten X-series basketball is the official ball of FIBA. FIBA is the body that governs all international basketball competitions globally. That means the Molten X-series ball is going to give you the same look and feel like all of the international stars playing on the world’s stage. Molten has added some unique and quality additions to their ball that make it stand out from the pack.
The first thing you are going to notice is the stunning eye-catching design. This twelve panel multicolored design created by Giorgetto Giugiaro looks to combine form, function and art into a truly beautiful basketball. The multicolored panels will increase visibility by players and spectators alike and draw eyes to the ball. The twelve panel design also makes it easier to track the rotation of the ball which could be important during the heat of the game.
- Official ball of FIBA, the international basketball association
- The unique and beautiful design increases visibility
- Consistent touch technology improves upon the classic pebble grip design of other basketballs on the market
Indoor Basketball Buying Guide
Some people prefer doing physical activities – exercising, playing, and keeping their bodies in shape – in the sanctuary of their homes. At the same time, they do not want to compromise and play boring sports no one has heard of. For such people, indoor basketball is an amazing option.
Difference between indoor and outdoor basketball
There are many differences that set apart indoor and outdoor basketball, despite the two sports being the variant of the same game.
Cover Material
Indoor and outdoor basketballs can be easily differentiated on the basis of their cover materials. Indoor basketballs use synthetic or genuine leather whereas outdoor basketballs are mostly made from rubber or composite materials.
The full-grain leather construction of indoor basketballs allows them to smoothly dribble and bounce on the floors whereas the rubber texture of the outdoor basketballs is appropriate for harsh surfaces and weather conditions.
Therefore, using an indoor basketball outdoors is likely to damage the ball while using an outdoor basketball indoors would negatively affect the bounce and performance of the ball.
Cost of Basketball
Due to the indoor basketballs being made from genuine leather, they cost more than outdoor basketballs which are made from rubber. An indoor basketball is often in the $40 to $60 range, with some balls even going up to $150. On the other hand, outdoor basketballs are available for as low as $15.
Court
Indoor basketball courts are known to provide superior playing experience because the conditions inside the court can be easily controlled. Most of the indoor courts are constructed from hard, polished wood such as maple. Such a floor can easily be painted as well, adding to the beauty of the court.
Nowadays, even synthetic vinyl floors are used for indoor basketball courts.
Outdoors basketball courts are usually made from concrete or asphalt. Recently, acrylic tiles have gotten very popular as materials for outdoor courts. Such materials are chosen not only for how durable and hard they are, but because of their porous qualities which allow water to be drained quickly.
In addition to this, it should be mentioned that beginners can train easily on an outdoor court while experts usually prefer practicing in an indoor court since the conditions can be altered and controlled there.
Durability
As rubber is more durable than leather and can withstand harsh use easily, an outdoor basketball is considered more durable than an indoor one. However, if an indoor basketball is only used in indoor courts, it can easily last up to a few years.
Buying an indoor basketball
Choosing the right basketball can make a huge difference to one’s performance in a game. The features described below should be considered when selecting a basketball for use indoors.
Ball Material
Indoor basketballs are made from two materials primarily: composite leather and genuine leather.
The composite leather indoor basketballs, made from synthetic leather, have a good grip and cost less than the genuine leather ones, despite having a feel almost similar to them. These basketballs are used by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The genuine leather indoor basketballs are considered top quality basketballs. These are very durable and are the choice of most basketball enthusiasts. These basketballs are used by the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Lastly, some indoor basketballs are even made of rubber but those are not recommended because they neither provide a strong grip nor do they offer good ball control.
Size
The size of the basketball should be carefully chosen as per the size of the hand of the player. The following are some of the sizes (circumferences) recommended for different categories of people.
- 25.5 inches: this is recommended for boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 8.
- 27.5 inches: this is recommended for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 11.
- 28.5 inches: this is recommended for boys aged between 12 and 14 and for girls and women above the age of 12.
- 29.5 inches: this is recommended for boys and men aged 15 and above.
Weight
Below is a guideline to choose the right weight of a basketball to play indoors.
- 14 ounces: this is recommended for boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 8.
- 17 ounces: this is recommended for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 11.
- 20 ounces: this is recommended for boys aged between 12 and 14 and for girls and women above the age of 12.
- 22 ounces: this is recommended for boys and men aged 15 and above.
Grip
The grip is an essential part of every indoor basketball. If the grip isn’t good enough, it might get difficult to dribble the ball, catch and throw passes, and palm the basketball. Despite excellent basketball skills, a ball with a bad grip can completely throw someone off their game.
To make sure that the basketball has a good grip, it should be checked whether it feels soft. If there is slight cushioning, it will enhance the grip and make dribbling, etc. easier.
In addition to this, some basketballs are even designed to offer moisture absorption qualities. This is because sweat and moisture on the hands can reduce the grip on the ball, so such basketballs ensure that the grip isn’t affected by a person sweating.
Moreover, to further enhance the grip, different widths of the channels and different depths of the grooves in basketballs are provided.
Texture
The texture of an indoor basketball should be slightly tacky. This means that it should feel a little moist and sticky when touched. This helps ensure that the ball is not slippery and it can be easily dribbled across the entire court.
Bounce
The bounce of a basketball should be consistent, which means that every time it makes contact with the surface, it should bounce in the same way. Consistency in bounce is an essential factor to consider when buying a basketball because the increase or decrease in bounce can be altered later by inflating the ball.
Best indoor basketball brands
These are some of the major players in the world of indoor basketball manufacturing.
Wilson Sporting Goods
The Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Ball is a favourite among the fans of indoor basketball. Not only is this basketball known for its extremely high quality, but this composite-leather basketball is also used by the NCAA for their official games.
Furthermore, this basketball is known for its strong grip – owing to the pebbled channels – and the soft, nearly buttery texture of its surface. Also, its consistency in bounce is one of the best offered by any brand. Additionally, this basketball by Wilson comes in different colours so even children would be excited to get something like this.
Spalding
Spalding offers a basketball that is made specifically for NBA matches and is referred to as the NBA Official Game Basketball. This indoor basketball is made from genuine leather which speaks for the high quality of the ball. Apart from this, these are loved by the NBA players as well, so much that due to the complaints of the players, the NBA reversed its decision to use basketballs made from composite leather.
This basketball gives a very genuine and special feeling when dribbled, passed, or palmed. It is this feeling that people pay a relatively large price for. Moreover, once this basketball is broken in, its full-grain leather texture turns almost like butter.
Molten
The BGGX Series by Molten was introduced in 2016 and is approved by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Despite a few complaints of the ball being a little slippery when there is moisture on the hands, it has still performed very well in the market.
The cover material is premium composite leather. This basketball can be further inflated to improve the performance and it comes with a warranty of two years. Moreover, this basketball has enhanced visibility as compared to its predecessor because it has a sharp colour contrast to make the ball easier to detect.
Interestingly, the full leather version of this very basketball is used in the Olympics! Lastly, this is a good choice for beginners.
Baden Sports
The Baden Elite Indoor Game Basketball is of regulation size – 29.5 inches. The ‘elite’ in the name of this basketball refers to the fact that every aspect of it was designed while keeping the athletes in mind and ensuring that only the best of the materials are used. In fact, this basketball is sometimes even called the ‘king of the court’.
A high tack grip is provided by the microfiber cover of this ball and its softness also adds to its grip. Furthermore, the bounce of this ball is very consistent, the shape is absolutely symmetrical, and the ball is even good at absorbing any moisture found on it.
This high-quality basketball is highly recommended to those who want to practice their dribbling skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter whether a ball is designed for outdoor play?
Some basketballs are designed for use both indoors and outdoors, so they can be used anywhere.
Other basketballs are specifically advertised for outdoor use, so they are not recommended for use indoors. The basketballs designed for outdoor play are made from rubber as opposed to the full-grain leather used for indoor basketballs.
Do product reviews matter?
To a certain extent, they do. After all, if a vast majority of the reviewers are praising or criticising a certain aspect of a basketball, their opinion holds some weight. At the same time, some reviews are fake or even bought.
Therefore, it is better to analyse the ball oneself or take the opinion of an expert.
Should the basketball be inflated when purchased?
It depends upon the manufacturer, actually. Many of the basketballs do come inflated, though.
Will more air inside a basketball make it bounce higher?
Yes. Since more air means more pressure inside the basketball, it will bounce higher.
How does inflation affect the bounce of the basketball?
If the ball doesn’t have enough air it would not bounce. Similarly, if too much air is pumped into it, it can burst even. This is why the ball should be inflated to the right pressure to ensure that it bounces well.
What is the NBA?
It is the National Basketball Association and is responsible for maintaining official standards of basketball and conducting tournaments and matches.
What is the size of the official basketball used by the NBA?
The official size of a basketball is 29.5 inches.
Is there a difference between the size of men’s balls and women’s balls?
Yes. Basketball sizes do vary by gender so men and women use different sizes of basketballs. The NBA uses basketballs of size 29.5 inches whereas the WNBA (Women’s NBA) uses basketballs of size 28.5 inches.
What is the weight of the official basketball used by the NBA?
The official weight of a basketball is 20 to 22 ounces.
What is the pressure of the official basketball used by the NBA?
The basketballs used by the NBA are inflated to a pressure of 7.5 to 8.5 PSI.
What is the diameter of the official basketball used by the NBA?
The diameter of a basketball used by the NBA is 9.43 to 9.51 inches.
Can an indoor basketball be used outdoors?
No. An indoor basketball is made from leather so if it is used outside on concrete, the surface of the ball would roughen and might even wear. This can even adversely affect the grip of the basketball.
What is the cost of an indoor basketball?
Most indoor basketballs cost between $30 and $60. However, if someone wants a genuine leather basketball, it would cost above $100.
What is the best brand of indoor basketball?
The best brand depends upon what exactly one is looking for in an indoor basketball. That being said, Spalding and Wilson are considered to be the two best brands at producing quality indoor basketballs. Other popular brands are Baden and Molten.
Is basketball played at the Olympics?
Yes, it is a very popular game at the Olympics.
Conclusion
We hope this helps you pick the best indoor basketball for your needs, we are always asked what we feel is the number one choice. It’s hard to pick the number one as we all have different preferences but if I had my arm twisted then it would have to be the Wilson Evolution Game Basketball for me it’s the best all-rounder.
Getting the best product will really help you up to your game to the next level, also we want something that is going to last the test of time, and no matter what basketball that you chose if it’s one on the list it should fit the bill perfectly.