Reddit mentions: The best basketballs

Played with it a couple times. I hear it takes a while to break in. For indoor use, here are some of my recommendations:

• As mentioned, the Wilson Evolution is very good. I've been told there's a higher end and lower end one, and I can't quite tell by ales listings but I've played with some that feel markedly different. Might be worth looking into.
  
  
• I really like the Rawlings OHSAA basketballs, which I played with in a tournament and some pickup games in Ohio. Similar feel as an Evo but a little softer feel and smooth.
  
  
• TF-1000s are good, but supposedly used to be better. Some of the newer ones have a harder, almost glossier feel, less supple. A friend has an old one that feels great. They now offer a 'classic' and 'legacy' version, but I wouldn't mess with them at all these days.
  
  
• I play with a MacGregor mostly indoors these days. Can't find it online at the moment, but similar to OSHAA and Wilson Evo. One of my favorites.
  
  
• The FIBA official basketball is also very nice. Slightly different feel, but great for indoors.
  
  
• Finally, The Rock is another great option for indoor only play. Dribbles and shoots well, and in the same category as the Evo.
  
  EDIT: Update

It's really hard to pick a "best basketball", as it depends a lot on preference, whether you like softer / stickier balls or tougher ones, deep or shallow gooves, etc.

That being said... Being the uk and this time of the year, I assume you're gonna play indoors. The ball I use is this Wilson NCAA replica, and I very much enjoy it. That being said, it is a very sticky / grippy ball, so if you handle / dribble it a lot I can see it being a bit rough on the hands, since it doesn't "slide" in your palm like other basketballs.

On the other side of the spectrum, I also have a Spalding TF-250 for outdoors play, and the composite material is very tough and more on the slippery side. Also more durable.

Other than that, Molten balls I've played with also tend to be pretty nice, kinda middle-of-the-road-ish (I think it was the GM7 that I'm thinking of). Probably more durable than the Wilson too, since it's not quite as soft.

i have this one and it's fantastic for the price. it's super grip-y and if you play on any street court that's low quality it's a great ball to use. when it's wet at all, this is your best bet.

I have never tried any of the ones you recommended, but the one I use a lot is this one Zi/O. It is great for indoors and does pretty well outdoors too. I like that its tacky and not rubbery like most outdoor balls. It does wear out after a while but it still has that leathery feel to it.

If you're prioritizing price and durability, the Spalding NBA Street ball is a decent choice: https://www.amazon.com/Spalding-NBA-Street-Basketball-Official/dp/B0009VELG4/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1537646004&sr=1-4&keywords=outdoor+basketball

It's only like $15. It's rubber, so it's definitely gonna feel "cheaper" than a nice indoor-only ball, but it's made to be played outside and shouldn't get messed up from snow and ice. Should also be fairly easy to grip even if it gets somewhat wet.

Another option is an indoor/outdoor basketball like this: https://www.amazon.com/Spalding-NBA-Indoor-Outdoor-Basketball/dp/B000A7OUE0


About $30, and will feel more similar to an indoor game ball, if that's important to you. I suspect that ball gets a little more slippery when wet.

Best and cheap don’t mix. If you’re going for an outdoor ball, don’t buy leather; get something that will last. If you’re going indoor, get The Rock. It’s like 60$ and my favorite ball to play with indoors.

link

> Wilson NCAA

This ball right here or the offical one?

https://www.amazon.com/Wilson-NCAA-Replica-Game-Basketball/dp/B002XLWE3K?th=1&psc=1

Is it better than Nike true grip? I want something as close to the evolution as possible since that is the ball our tournaments uses. I understand that the evo is a no good ball for outdoors.

For most things like this you have to buy a special ball that has sensors in it that costs like $200

I think this is what I have: https://www.amazon.com/Spalding-NBA-Excel-Basketball-Intermediate/...

But yeah, Spalding is the best except for some of the Wilson balls which are overpriced for what they are.

I'm 99% sure this is just a regular hotei/Budai (laughing buddha) statue with a spray painted mini basketball super-glued to the hand.

Aye, i know they have a regulated size, but isn't a professional basketball quite a bit heavier than many that people use as cheap fun alternatives? these vs these.

The Molten FIBA style FIBA style ball is great for outdoor.

https://www.amazon.com/Spalding-Replica-Rubber-Outdoor-Basketball/dp/B008DYKOI8
lmao

I don't understand why this ball isn't available for sale. The only one I came across is an overpriced Spalding that is apparently composite material rather than the aforementioned sexy leather.

http://www.amazon.com/Spalding-NBA-Zi-Excel-Basketball/dp/B007Q213M4
any good?

Wilson Solution NCAA Official Game Ball is also very nice. Its similar to the Wilson Evolution, but with extra moisture protection

http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-NCAA-Solution-Game-Basketball/dp/B0009LM6CK

Get this one mate. I've tried a lot over the years and these are the most durable.

I play primarily on coarse concrete courts cause that's all that's around here and these last a fair amount of time and are a lot cheaper from amazon than to buy in Aus by something like $30. Obviously the kind of concrete or cement you play on will determine how long it'll last, no rubber/synthetic leather will ever last long just cause it so harsh to play on.

Don't buy this version IN Aus stores though. For some reason they have the same name but are made differently and are shithouse but they sure as shit price them up.

Just so we're on the same page, a weighted basketball is it's own thing, it is NOT a medicine ball.

Dribbling is stressful to your arms, especially starting out. If you don't keep up with dribbling, you'll end up losing control over the ball after a few bounces - especially when dribbling/running. Watch children play basketball with a regulation ball, you'll see what I mean, it's significantly heavier for them, not to mention oversized.

But you're basically an adult - you're stronger, but nah you're the same. You'll just experience the stress differently. You just might think you're clumsy with the ball, but the fact is your motor skills needs some exercise.

The heavy ball should be used primarily for stationary dribbling drills; take it slow. Cycle through the heavy ball and normal ball. Here's a good resource for some drills you might want to take up with the heavy basketball.

Oh yeah, don't look at yourself dribbling - watch some TV or something while you do the drills.

The ball on Amazon is $110. Probably higher in Philippines due to import costs.

https://www.amazon.com/Molten-Basketball-Composite-Leather-Approved/dp/B0106580J6

Umm...just get The Rock. You will not be disappointed. Read the reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/The-Rock-Basketball-Official-Mens/dp/B00841J24M

confirmed

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0063NEB8K?pc_redir=1408968057&robot_redir=1

(https://www.amazon.com/Rhode-Island-Novelty-ELBSKSP-Basketball/dp/B007E4FZBO/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=novelty+basketball+light&qid=1557683830&s=gateway&sr=8-5)

FIBA uses basketballs made by Molten. Euroleague uses these basketballs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0009VELE6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502575445&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=zi%2F0%2Bexcel&dpPl=1&dpID=61EtF1C2V-L&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

Definitely Zi/o, but you are right, they don't make them anymore. They renamed them something else, but I can't remember what.

Edit: was wrong. https://www.amazon.ca/Spalding-Official-Indoor-Outdoor-Basketball/dp/B000A7OUE0