Basketballs on Black Friday
The basketballs gathered here cover all courts and all ages: composite Spalding for the hardwood, rubber Nike, Wilson and Peak for the playground, three-on-three balls, Tremblay foam for kids, and balls in the colours of Asvel, Monaco or Baskonia. Black Friday is the perfect opportunity to replace a worn-out ball with a model suitable for your game.
The right ball for every court, at a discounted price.
Size five, six or seven: the right ball for age and category
The size of the ball is based on the player's category. In France, mini-basketball players use size five until the age of eleven. Size six is for players under thirteen, both girls and boys, and then for all women's categories up to seniors. Size seven, the largest, is for boys from under fifteen and for senior men. The official ball for three-on-three is an exception: it has the circumference of a size six but the weight of a size seven, for a fast game and more demanding shots.
The rest of basketball
Basketball during Black Friday also includes:
All basketball can be found on the basketball page.
Wood or asphalt: composite and rubber serve different purposes
The ball's cover depends on the court. Indoors, the composite leather of Spalding TF Gold, TF Silver or Legacy offers a soft feel and a secure grip, even when hands are sweaty; on asphalt, it would wear out in a few weeks. For outdoors, the thick rubber of Nike Everyday Playground, Wilson NBA DRV Plus or Peak Grafiti withstands rough surfaces, with deep grooves that maintain grip. The training ball Molten, made of leather-like grain rubber, goes from the gym to the playground: a versatile solution for a club or player who alternates between the two.
Why is the basketball orange?
Until the late 1950s, balls were brown leather, hard to follow for both players and spectators. Tony Hinkle, coach of Butler University, then works with Spalding on a more visible ball: the orange version makes its debut at the 1958 NCAA final tournament in Louisville. The colour then becomes established worldwide. Spalding provided the official NBA ball for decades, and Spaldeen balls in the colours of Asvel, AS Monaco or Baskonia extend this link with the high level, whether for display or signing.
Foam, mini-ball and three-on-three: children's balls
Even before size five, the youngest learn to dribble with an appropriate ball. The foam ball Tremblay, light and quiet, doesn't mark walls or furniture: it’s suitable for home as well as basketball schools. The Dribbler balls in NBA team colours, with a small diameter, develop the weak hand's dexterity and often end up on a young fan's shelf. The Wilson three-on-three ball, an Olympic discipline since the Tokyo Games, appeals to teenagers on neighbourhood courts. For a child, a slightly lighter ball is better than one that is too heavy and tires the wrist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pressure should a basketball be inflated to?
The exact value is near the valve, generally between 0.5 and 0.6 bar. According to FIBA standards, released from a height of one meter eighty, it should bounce back between one meter twenty and one meter forty.
How to inflate a ball delivered deflated?
Moisten the needle, insert it straight into the valve and inflate gradually with a pump equipped with a pressure gauge. Then check the bounce before playing, and adjust if the ball seems too hard or soft.
What can cause a basketball to burst?
Overinflation, prolonged exposure to sunlight in a car, or repeated rubbing against an abrasive surface weaken the bladder and cover. Stick to the indicated pressure and store the ball away from heat.
How to clean a basketball?
Wipe it with a damp cloth and a bit of mild soap, then let it air dry. Avoid soaking it or placing it near a heat source, which can peel the panels of a composite ball.
How to tell if a ball is approved for competition?
Approved balls have the mark of FIBA approval printed on the cover. For official matches, the club provides the model required by its league, while a training ball is sufficient for practice.
