Contents
- Top 10 rating according to KP
- Editor’s Choice
- What other basketballs are worth paying attention to
- How to choose a basketball
Basketball originated in Massachusetts as an attempt to make physical education classes more fun and varied. Then this sport began to gain popularity in educational institutions in the United States. At the beginning of the 1936th century, basketball was formed into a professional sport with the formation of club teams. Gradually, this game is gaining worldwide popularity and stands out as an independent sport in other countries. Basketball’s evolution culminated in its inclusion in the Summer Olympics in XNUMX, and an entire industry grew up around it.
Modern basketball is divided into amateur and professional. The main attribute of the game is the ball. What does he represent? The ball must be in the form of a sphere of a certain shade of orange with a classic pattern and black seams. Standard has eight inserts. In competitions, it is customary to use balls of the 7th size, the mass of which ranges from 567-650 grams, and the circumference ranges from 749 to 780 mm. But in other cases, balls of other sizes are used. Also, basketballs are universal (can be used indoors and outdoors), only for the street and only for playing indoors. Today there are many brands that produce balls. They differ in quality and price. Our top 10 best basketballs of 2022 will help you navigate this variety. And our expert Artem Samsonov will give some recommendations on choosing a ball that suits your goals.
Top 10 rating according to KP
Editor’s Choice
1. Wilson Reaction PRO (from 2 rubles)
Wilson Reaction PRO is a professional basketball. Suitable for indoor and outdoor play. Production material – high quality composite leather based on polyurethane. This ball is characterized by a soft hit and good grip. The camera is made of butyl, a fairly high-quality material. The size of the ball is 7. There are eight glued panels in total. The advantage of this model is the original ball, officially approved in England.
Advantages and disadvantages
2. TORRES Block (from 898 rubles)
This model was originally created for amateur games. The design of the ball is traditional, but the coloring is different from the usual standard. But there is no problem in this. But the ball is great for training passes and shots. Can be used for both outdoor and indoor play. The top layer is made of durable rubber, resistant to all sorts of negative impacts. The ball will also work well on hard surfaces. The chamber is made of butyl. The ball itself belongs to the 7th size category. A nice bonus: the kit includes a needle for pumping.
Advantages and disadvantages
3. Spalding TF-250 All Surface (from 1 rubles)
The Spalding TF-250 All Surface Basketball has a classic look. A great option for training and local competitions. The ball is declared by the manufacturer as universal: that is, it can be used for games in the hall or in the open air. The tire is made of polyurethane, the model is quite wear-resistant. The camera, already quite familiar, is made of butyl. The ball has been certified by FIBA. The standard size – 7 – is optimal for the game.
Advantages and disadvantages
What other basketballs are worth paying attention to
4. Molten BGF5X (from 3 rubles)
Molten BGF5X is a size 5 ball specially made for training in sports facilities. According to the manufacturer, the surface of the ball is made using a revolutionary technology that makes it as comfortable as possible to hold in the hand and improves rotational stability, which increases the accuracy of throws and passes. The top layer of the ball made of polyurethane securely closes the butyl chamber. The purpose is universal: you can play in the hall and on the street.
Advantages and disadvantages
5. Jogel JB-400 No. 7 (from 955 rubles)
Jogel JB-400 No. 7 – this ball model is designed for training basketball players. It has good grip and interesting design. The material of the upper layer is synthetic leather, which allows you to use the ball in the hall and on the street. Regarding the camera: everything is standard here – it is made of butyl. The model complies with FIBA size and weight requirements. Size category – 7.
Advantages and disadvantages
6. Larsen RBF7 (from 475 rubles)
Larsen RBF7 is an outdoor ball model. The upper material is made of foam rubber, which allows you to adequately withstand the wear and tear from playing on hard surfaces. However, the ball may behave unpredictably when played indoors. Size category – 7. The camera is also made of rubber. A good option for a beginner who wants to get acquainted with basketball.
Advantages and disadvantages
7. Dobest PK-884 (from 1 rubles)
Dobest PK-884 is more suitable for the game of amateurs, both in the hall and on the street. The tire is made of polyurethane, gives the ball a good margin of safety. Standard butyl chamber without unique techniques. Ball size 7. It is worth noting the eye-catching design and coloring.
Advantages and disadvantages
8. WELSTAR BR2814D-7 (from 404 rubles)
This basketball has the most colorful coloring, unlike the rest in our rating. Optimal for the amateur level – it’s fun to play outside with friends and warm up in the hall. The top layer of rubber makes the product durable, and the butyl chamber gives elasticity and reliability. A good price is one of the advantages of this ball. Size category – 7.
Advantages and disadvantages
9. ATEMI BB500 (from 430 rubles)
ATEMI BB500 is a budget ball, the purpose of which is to play in the hall or on the street, subject to the presence of a special rubberized coating. Playing on pavement will shorten the lifespan quickly. The material of the upper layer was rubber, with a good indicator of strength and resistance to mechanical damage. The butyl chamber is reinforced with nylon thread for greater reliability. The ball has good aerodynamic properties. Pros: nice color scheme in appearance. A good option for the amateur level.
Advantages and disadvantages
10. Petra BB-042 (from 256 rubles)
Petra BB-042 is a basketball at a low price. The most budget option of our rating. Suitable for amateur play. A good solution for a beginner – will allow you to master the basics of basketball. The size of the ball is 7. The material of the tire and the chamber is rubber.
Advantages and disadvantages
How to choose a basketball
When choosing a basketball, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:
- ball type,
- the size,
- production material,
- quality
Type of basketball
Undoubtedly, the purpose of the ball is a very important factor in its selection. It is customary to divide balls into three classes:
- for the street (Outdoor),
- for the hall (Indoor),
- universal (Indoor/outdoor).
Outdoor balls are characterized by maximum wear resistance. As a rule, they are made from synthetic materials. Sharpened for hard surfaces such as asphalt or rubber. A feature of this type is the rigidity at tactile contact.
Models for the hall demonstrate good adhesion to parquet. Leather and synthetic materials are used for manufacturing, balls with a composite coating are especially good. But playing on the street with him is a rash decision, as the ball will quickly become unusable.
Universal basketballs are made of rubber. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. They are quite tolerant of wear and feel good on the parquet flooring of the hall. Often they have an additional coating of synthetic or composite material.
Size
The officially approved ball size for men’s competitions is number 7, which is characterized by a weight of 567-650 grams and a circumference of 749-780 mm. Size 6 is the standard size for a women’s basketball and has a mass in the range of 510-567 grams and a circumference ranging from 724 to 737 mm. For mini-basketball games, a size 5 ball is used. It can be determined by the circumference within 690-710 mm and weight 470-500 grams. Usually such competitions are held for children no older than twelve years. And size 3 is used in basketball training to hone dribbling. The ball of this size category has a weight in the region of 300-330 grams and a circumference of 560-580 mm.
Material of manufacture
The material used to make the ball is a significant factor to consider when purchasing. Professional balls are usually made from composite materials. Universal balls must have high strength, because they are made from synthetic raw materials. For the hall, the best solution would be a ball made of genuine leather. If a basketball is marked “Supreme Leather”, then this indicates the use of extra-class leather.
Quality
The easiest way to check the quality of the ball is the rebound. A well-made and properly inflated ball should bounce to a height of about 130 centimeters. But there is another way: raise the ball to the level of your head and let it go. Then he should bounce to the level of the belt. It is also important to inspect the nipple. The durability of the ball depends on its performance. Flexibility is another sign of quality. After a short play, the ball should not become soft. It is important to remember that a special nozzle is needed when pumping, a football needle is not the best option. Also, do not kick and sit on a basketball. Careful operation significantly extends the service life and contributes to the adequate “behavior” of the ball during the game.
General recommendations
If you need a basketball for playing outdoors, then the best solution would be an Outdoor type ball and size 6. In order to get a really high-quality sports equipment, it is better to buy balls from well-known brands, they are responsible for the reputation of their product. Optimally, if the material of manufacture is synthetics. In the case of a modest budget, a universal rubber ball will perform quite well.