The standard NBA ball size is 7, which measures 29.5″ and has a standard weight of 22 oz. All NBA basketballs and other professional basketball bodies use the same ball size. Similarly, professional associations for men, NCAA basketball, and high school leagues use the same size as the NBA ball.
But why does the size of a basketball matter? Choosing a suitable ball size is of great importance as it allows you to deliver your best performance, grab the ball effortlessly, and dribble more efficiently. Throughout this article, you will learn about various basketball sizes and the age groups for which it is suitable, so read till the end for more enticing information.
DIFFERENT NBA BALL SIZE? : VARIOUS BASKETBALL SIZES FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS
while there is only one NBA ball size that is size 7 and is used in all professional games yet there are multiple ball sizes used in different leagues and by different age groups which; furthermore, these are explained below in details.
- SIZE 7
As mentioned, this is the standard NBA ball size used by professional men players in professional leagues other than NBA, such as NCAA men’s basketball. Sometimes high school basketball games are also played with size seven balls. It is enormous and weighs more than others. The total weight of this ball is 22 oz with a measurement of 29.5″.
- SIZE 6
These basketballs are not only smaller in size than NBA ball size, but they are also, comparatively, lightweight and have smaller dimensions. Basketballs with size 6 weights 20 oz. And measures 28.5″, making them perfect for players with smaller hands.
Size 6 basketball is the standard size for professional women’s basketball leagues such as FIBA, NCAA women’s basketball, and other youth leagues that entertain players above and equal to 12.
- SIZE 5
Basketball is a sport played by kids as well; for that reason, there are basketball sizes for kids as well. This size is perfect for kids between 8-11, comes with a standard size of 27.5″ to 27.75″, and weighs between 12-16 oz. Basketball size 5 is much popular among youth basketball leagues.
- SIZE 4
If you ever notice your kid showing interest in basketball, then a size 4 basketball is the perfect one you can buy for your kid that is 4 to 8 years old. These balls are lightweight, so they can easily play with them, and are also smaller in size. Usually, they weigh 14 oz and measure 25.5″.
- SIZE 3
This is the smallest size you can find on the market that generally weighs 10 oz and comes with measurements of 22″. This site is manufactured explicitly for kids below 4. However, if you feel that your 4 to 8 years old kid is a bit weaker or faces difficulty playing with basketball size four, you can also choose size 3 for them.
BASKETBALL AND TYPES OF COURTS
Remember that there are primarily two types of courts that include outdoor and indoor courts, and you need to purchase basketball accordingly; otherwise, it may affect your game negatively. As you can expect, indoor basketball courts are professionally constructed where using NBA ball size with the same materials’ quality can perfectly work, and you won’t face any obstacles during the game.
However, you cannot use the same ball for outdoor games since they are not professionally constructed, and it can destroy the outer layers of the ball, and in some cases, you can see cracks in the ball which will ultimately lead to tearing apart the basketball. So for outdoor basketball courts, it is better to use more rugged balls. So purchasing a more durable ball is perfect for outdoor basketball players.
RUBBER AND COMPOSITE BASKETBALLS
Primarily two types of materials used in the cover construction of a basketball. One is called rubber, while the other one is called composite basketball. The composite material, also called synthetic basketballs, maintains the flexibility and grip of leather basketball.
These basketballs are suitable for indoor and outdoor games as they are durable enough to quickly deal with harsh environments such as dirt, moisture, and friction on the ground in the case of outdoor courts. NBA ball size and materials are two critical factors where the size is 7, and the material used in the majority of the cases is leather.
On the other hand, rubber balls are also referred to as steel basketballs and are specifically designed for outdoor games where the outer cover of these balls is made of rubber. These balls are also durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions and long hours of play. Moreover, they are suitable for rough and rugged surfaces, i.e., cemented grounds and metallic nets.
FINAL WORDS
The standard NBA ball size is 7; however, various leagues and age groups use different ball sizes. Remember that sizes 7 and 6 are used in professional leagues because women’s college basketball and FIBA uses basketball size 6 for professional games. Basketball enthusiasts of various age groups use other sizes such as 5,4, and 3.
Thank you for reading!