A typical basketball.

A basketball is an inflated spherical ball used in the game of basketball. Basketballs typically range in size from very small promotional items possibly only a few inches in diameter to extra large balls nearly a foot in diameter used in training exercises to increase the skill of players.[1] Nearly all basketballs have an inflatable inner rubber bladder, generally wrapped in layers of fiber and then covered with a tacky surface made either from leather (traditional), rubber, or a synthetic composite. As in most inflatable balls, there is a small opening to allow the pressure to be increased or decreased. The surface of the ball is nearly always divided by "ribs" that are recessed below the surface of the ball in a variety of configurations and are generally a contrasting color. A standard 29.5 inch basketball has about 4118 pebbles, with the pebbles being at a diameter of 2.5 millimeters. An orange surface with black ribs and a possible logo is the traditional color scheme of basketballs but they are sold in various colors. Balls are generally designated for indoor (generally made of leather or absorbent composites), or all-surface use (generally made of rubber or durable composites, also known as Indoor/Outdoor balls). The abrasiveness of asphalt and the dirt and moisture generally present in an outdoor setting will usually ruin an indoor ball within a very short period of time. This article is about the sport. ... Image File history File links Basketball. ... Image File history File links Basketball. ... For other uses, see Ball (disambiguation). ... This article is about the sport. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... For people named Leather, see Leather (surname). ... Color is an important part of the visual arts. ... See also Orange (disambiguation) for other meanings of the word. ... This article is about the color. ...

Use

Aside from the court and the baskets, the basketball is the only piece of equipment necessary to play the game of basketball. During the game the ball must be bounced continuously (dribbling), and also thrown through the air to other players (passing) and towards the basket (shooting). Therefore, the ball must be very durable and easy to hold on to. The basketball is also used to perform tricks (sometimes called freestyling), the most common of which are spinning the ball on the tip of one's index finger, dribbling in complex patterns, rolling the ball over one's shoulder, or performing aerobatic maneuvers with the ball while executing a slam dunk, most notably in the context of a slam dunk contest. This article is about the sport. ... This article is about the sport. ... This article is about the sport. ... This article is about the term, slam dunk. For other uses, see Slam dunk (disambiguation). ... The Slam Dunk Contest is an annual NBA competition held during the week of the NBA All-Star Game. ...

History

In early December 1891, James Naismith, then chairman of the physical education department at the School for Christian Workers (now Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts, instructed physical education teacher James Naismith, known to many as the creator of basketball, to invent a new game to entertain the school's athletes in the winter season. Naismith assembled his class of 18 young men, appointed captains of two nine-player teams, and set in motion the first ever basketball game, played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets tacked to either end of the gymnasium. The first purpose-built basketballs were made from panels of leather stitched together with a rubber bladder inside. A cloth lining was added to the leather for support and uniformity (identity). A molded version of the early Basketball was invented in 1942. From 1967 through 1976 the American Basketball Association (or ABA) used a distinctive red, white and blue basketball that is still seen from time to time. For many years, leather was the material of choice for basketball coverings, however in the late 1990s, composite materials were put forth and have rapidly gained acceptance in most leagues due to their superior performance in harsh game conditions. Wow! Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... James A. Naismith,(November 6, 1861 – November 28, 1939) was the inventor of the sport of basketball and the first to introduce the use of a helmet in American football. ... Nickname: Location in Hampden County in Massachusetts Coordinates: , Country State County Hampden Settled 1636 Incorporated 1852 Government  - Type Mayor-council city  - Mayor Charles Ryan (D) Area  - Total 33. ... James A. Naismith,(November 6, 1861 – November 28, 1939) was the inventor of the sport of basketball and the first to introduce the use of a helmet in American football. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the league that began in 1999, see American Basketball Association (2000-). The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a professional basketball league founded in 1967, and eventually merged, in part, with the National Basketball Association (NBA). ...

Modern-Day Specifications

Organized basketball leagues generally have very rigorous specifications for the balls to be used in official competition including weight, inflation pressure, bounce, circumference, color, and materials used. Most leagues use very similar specifications for their balls which are referred to as size 7 (for men's competition) and size 6 (for women's competition) by manufacturers. However the specific wording and policy on manufacturers vary between leagues. Here are the official specifications for three popular leagues: For other uses, see Weight (disambiguation). ... The circumference is the distance around a closed curve. ...

• The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has very strict criteria for its certified basketballs: The ball must be size 7, bear the name of the manufacturer and a serial number. It must be made of either genuine or artificial/synthetic leather and must be free of toxic materials and materials which may cause allergic reactions, and must also be free of heavy metals and AZO colors, though FIBA does not specify a specific color for the ball. It must be between 749 millimeters (mm) and 780 mm in circumference, it must bounce at least 1300 mm when dropped from a height of 1800 mm on a hard surface with a mass of more than 1 ton, and it must weigh between 567 grams (g) and 650 g. The ball must also pass a battery of rigorous tests: a fatigue test where it is bounced 20,000 times at a reference pressure without leaking any air, and then perform to specification when dropped from the reference height (1800 mm); a heat test where it is stored in a room for 7 days at 70 degrees Celsius and show no difference in appearance of performance; a valve test where after a dry inflation needle is inserted into the ball 100 times. The ball must not show any leakage; and a friction test where the outer surface must match or exceed friction requirements or perform to the testers' satisfaction in a practice game. The manufacturer of the ball must have been certified by FIBA, which entails submitting balls for testing and paying a $3,000 testing fee, paying $13,000 per year in licensing fees, and printing the FIBA logo on each ball. Any manufacturer may submit for testing and certification.[2]
• The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has less stringent requirements: The ball must measure between 29.5 and 30 inches in circumference, bounce between 49 and 54 inches when dropped from a height of 6 feet, and must weigh between 20 and 22 ounces (567–624 g) for men's competition (size 7), and measure between 28.5 and 29 inches in circumference , bounce between 51 and 56 inches when dropped from a height of 6 feet, and must weigh between 18 and 20 ounces (510–567 g) for women's competition (Size 6). Though the NCAA does not specify a particular manufacturer for the ball in regular season play, the Wilson SOLUTION basketball is the official basketball of the NCAA tournament. [3]
• The National Basketball Association (NBA) allows only one official ball: The ball must be the official NBA game ball manufactured by Spalding. The ball is orange in color, 29.5 inches in circumference and weighs 22 ounces (size 7). It must also be inflated to between 7.5 and 8.5 pounds per square inch. Starting in the 2006 season, the NBA switched to a new ball from Spalding that had a synthetic surface and a modified rib pattern (See section below). Until 2005 the ball had a leather surface. On December 11, 2006 the NBA decided to revert back to the old leather ball due to numerous player complaints, lawsuits and injuries from the synthetic ball[4]. Spalding has manufactured the official NBA game ball since 1983. [5] [6]
• The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has similar requirements to the NBA: The ball must be the official WNBA game ball manufactured by Spalding. The ball must orange and white in color, between 28.5 and 29 inches in circumference and weigh between 18 and 20 ounces (size 6). [7]

U.S. Naval Academy player (left) dribbling a basketball

The International Basketball Federation (French Fédération Internationale de Basketball) is an association of national organizations which governs international competitition in the sport. ... A millimetre (American spelling: millimeter, symbol mm) is an SI unit of length that is equal to one thousandth of a metre. ... BIC pen cap, about 1 gram. ... The degree Celsius (°C) is a unit of temperature named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius (1701–1744), who first proposed it in 1742. ... For other uses, see Friction (disambiguation). ... The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA, often said NC-Double-A) is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletics programs of many colleges and universities in the United States. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A foot (plural: feet) is a non-SI unit of distance or length, measuring around a third of a metre. ... The ounce (abbreviation: oz) is the name of a unit of mass in a number of different systems, including various systems of mass that form part of English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... The National Basketball Association of the United States and Canada, commonly known as the NBA, is the premier professional basketball league in North America. ... WNBA may also refer to WNBA-AM, a radio station in Illinois. ... Download high resolution version (500x684, 93 KB)Caption: 040130-N-9693M-020 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. ... Download high resolution version (500x684, 93 KB)Caption: 040130-N-9693M-020 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. ...

Notable Basketball Manufacturers

Spalding

Spalding was the first company to produce a basketball for official use. Company founder A.G Spalding made the first dedicated basketball in the last years of the 19th century at the behest of James Naismith. It has produced basketballs since that time and has produced the NBA’s official game ball since 1983. The company also produces a wide variety of balls for the consumer market, most notably its INFUSION ball which has a built in pump to maintain proper inflation. In June, 2006 the NBA announced that Spalding would be introducing a new official game ball for play beginning in the 2006 season. According to the NBA, the new ball is composed of a new material that offers better grip, feel, and consistency than the current leather ball. In 1970, the ball was transitioned from a four panel to an eight panel ball, and the latest ball design is comprised of two interlocking, cross-shaped panels that Spalding calls Cross Traxxion. The material is a microfiber composite with moisture management that is supposed to provide better grip and feel. According to the NBA press release, the new composite material eliminates the need for a break-in period, and provides greater consistency from ball to ball. Despite the claims from the NBA and commissioner David Stern, there have been several complaints about the new basketball. Many players have complained that the new ball is slippery, hard to hold and that the increased friction has even caused cuts on player's hands. Many elite players have called for the NBA to bring back the old ball, even bringing a grievance to the National Labor Relations Board to revert to the original leather ball. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban asked several members of the University of Texas at Arlington physics department to test the balls. What they found, is that the new ball, when dropped from a height of 5 feet, bounced an average of 4 inches lower than the old ball. They also determined that the composite ball is slower to absorb moisture than the previous leather ball. On December 11, 2006, NBA commissioner David Stern announced that the NBA would switch back to the old leather model starting at the beginning of 2007. Beginning from the 2007-08 season, Spalding will be the official basketball supplier to the American Basketball Association. In 2007, Spalding became the Official Basketball Provider of the Ball4Real World Tour.^[1] Spalding is a sporting goods company started in Chicago by A.G. Spalding in 1876. ... Al Spaldings sporting goods company made a lasting impact on baseball. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is an independent agency of the United States Government charged with conducting elections for union representation and with investigating and remedying unfair labor practices. ... The Dallas Mavericks (also known as the Mavs) are an NBA basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. ... Mark Cuban (born July 31, 1958 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)[1] is an American billionaire entrepreneur. ... The University of Texas at Arlington, usually referred to as UT Arlington or UTA, is a nationally recognized comprehensive doctoral/research university classified by Carnegie as Research University - High Activity [2]. The university is located in Arlington, Texas, USA. UT Arlington has a student population of nearly 25,000 and... is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other persons named David Stern, see David Stern (disambiguation). ... For information on the original league that lasted until 1976, see American Basketball Association (1967-1977). ... Ball4Real is the name of a traveling basketball exhibition and competition which made its debut in June 2007. ...

Wilson

Wilson's top-of-the-line product is the SOLUTION ball, named for its ability to absorb moisture over thenn course of a game and retain its grip. The ball is the official ball of the NCAA tournament and is used by many NCAA teams during the season as well by many high school leagues. Like Spalding, Wilson produces a variety of balls for the consumer market as well. Wilson Sporting Goods (or simply Wilson) is a sporting goods company that is based in Chicago, Illinois. ... NCAA Mens Basketball Division I Championship - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ...

Molten

Molten, a Japanese sporting goods manufacturer, has the current contract to provide game balls for: Molten Corporation ) is a Japanese Sports equipment and automotive parts company based in Hiroshima, Japan. ...

• All FIBA world championships and continental qualifying events.
• All FIBA Asia events.
• Many domestic leagues, including Argentina, Australia (men's and women's), Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, the Philippines, Poland (women's), and Portugal.

Through the 2006-07 season, it had the contract to provide balls for both Europe-wide competitions organised by ULEB, the Euroleague and ULEB Cup. However, ULEB has now signed Nike as its ball provider.^[2] Molten's top-of-the line product is the GL7/GL6, a leather ball with a distinctive 12-panel design, a high-density cushioning foam below the surface and special soft rubber seams, a flatter pebbled finish providing increased contact area and a flattened seam between the panels (called a "Full-Flat Seam"). Molten also produces a wide variety of balls at all price points for the consumer market. FIBA Asia subzones FIBA Asia is a zone within the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) which contains all 44 Asian FIBA federations. ... The National Basketball League is Australias top-level professional basketball competition. ... The Womens National Basketball League (WNBL) is the premier womens basketball league in Australia. ... Torell Basket Liga (TBL), previously Sharp Torell Basket Liga (STBL) or Polish Women Basketball League (=Polska Liga Koszykówki Kobiet, PLKK) is the highest level league of women basketball in Poland 2004 Championship Playoffs for 1st place: Stary Browar AZS Poznań (2nd place) - Lotos VBW Clima Gdynia - (Polish Champion... The ULEBwas founded in 1991, with the aim to help the cooperation and development of European professional basketball leagues. ... The Euroleague (EL) is the highest caliber professional basketball league in Europe, with teams from thirteen different European countries. ... The ULEB Cup is a second-caliber professional basketball league with teams from Europeean federation associated to ULEB (Basketball European Leagues Union), that havent qualified to Euroleague. ... Nike, Inc. ...

Rawlings

Rawlings has manufactured basketballs since 1902. The company is known for producing a 10-panel ball (known as the TEN), along with traditional 8-panel balls. The TEN basketball is the official ball of the Amateur Athletic Union and the "Gus Macker", the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the United States.^[3] Rawlings is an American company that manufactures sports equipment. ... - The Amateur Athletic Union, widely known as the AAU, was formed in United States. ... The Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament is a nationwide event open to a variety of ages and skill levels. ...

Nike

Nike, as noted earlier, now has the contract to produce balls for ULEB (including the Euroleague). In the Philippines it is used in the NCAA and UAAP as the official ball of the tournament. All these competitions use the Nike 4005 Official Tournament Balls. Nike, Inc. ...

References

Look up basketball in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.