The Ultimate Guide to the Best Indoor Basketball for 2017

Find the Best Indoor Basketball at a Glance

If you are wondering which basketball is the best one to buy for indoor use, you should keep in mind the important features which a ball must have to be considered a great indoor basketball. We list all the important characteristics below, but for those in a hurry let us first introduce you the winners here:


Wilson Evolution	Spalding NBA official
good grip, soft feel	genuine leather


Wilson NCAA Solution	Spalding TF-1000 Legacy
great grip, unique technology	good control, great bounce


Molten BGG	Spalding NBA Zi/O Official Size
awesome for shooters	soft and tacky

Indoor Basketball Reviews with Pros and Cons:

Here are our top picks for best basketballs for indoors, with short reviews of the balls and their pros and cons.

Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Basketball

A great basketball for high school basketball training and games, this ball features the exclusive, patented cushion core technology from Wilson, along with the highest quality microfiber composite leather cover. The perfect feel of this ball is provided by the special cushion core technology and the great grip results from the laid in channels on the pebbled composite leather. The combination of a good grip and the soft feel of this basketball makes it one of the top choices for playing inside, and allows for perfect control over the ball at all times. It has a nice balance, a good bounce, and is definitely worth every dollar it costs. It is a great indoor basketball which is also very durable. Naturally, and shouldn’t use it outdoors if you want it to last longer.

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Spalding NBA Official Game Ball

The name of this basketball says it all – the official ball of the NBA must be as good as it gets when it comes to indoor basketball, right? It is made of high quality fine grain leather and unsurprisingly meets all size and weight requirements of the NBA regulations.

The genuine leather does need some break-in time before the ball gets that perfect feel and bounce, but once it does – it offers the best feel and grip necessary for competitive indoor basketball. For a quicker break-in, you can use leather conditioner and dribble and shoot the ball for a few hours every other day. Sure, the price is on the high end, but given the high quality of this basketball, it is definitely worth it, especially if you want to have the best indoor basketball. Keep in mind, that if you haven’t handled and played with a genuine leather ball, it will likely seem heavier and strange when you first try it out.

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Wilson NCAA Solution Official Game Ball Basketball

This official NCAA tournament basketball is definitely another leader in our little competition for the top in the category. This ball features the unique and patented Wilson cushion core technology which gives it a better feel. The aqua grip channels which replace the traditional rubber ones, allow for a great grip at every point of the game. The 100% composite leather cover is moisture absorbing. This means that sweaty hands will not affect the grip and performance of the ball during the game. This ball is definitely worth the money it costs, doesn’t require break-in time, and can last you for at least a year of very intensive indoor playing, and much longer for those of you who don’t play that often.

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Spalding TF-1000 Legacy Indoor Composite Basketball

The TF-1000 model is a classic basketball from Spalding, but this one is very different from the original one, which some of you probably remember. This is both good and bad news.

Overall, it feels like an entirely different model indoor basketball, which doesn’t mean that it is not one of our top picks for this category though. This ball features an exclusive ZK composite cover and features a very efficient moisture management technology which allows for a firm grip and control of the ball even with sweaty hands. The great grip is further enhanced by the deep channel design of this ball. The durability of this basketball is exceptional thanks to the nylon windings added to its structure to keep it in shape. It also features an improved butyl rubber bladder to help retain the air in the ball for as long as possible. The responsive center core gives it a great bounce. In conclusion, this TF-1000 is very different from the original model, but it still a great basketball and one of our top choices for best basketball for indoors!

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Molten BGG Basketball

This FIBA approved ball is another top pick. The high quality composite leather cover and the 12 panel design of this Molten basketball ensure that it has an improved grip and fingertip control of the ball at all times. This basketball also has a unique dual cushion technology which gives the ball a softer plush feel and at the same time allows for great rebound speed and ball control. It meets all size and weight requirements of the NBA regulations, but it can feel a bit smaller and lighter to some. If you haven’t played with a FIBA ball, you may find the feel of the BGG a bit different from the “American style” indoor basketballs, but it is highly likely that once you play with one of these, you will never want to go back to the NBA-style balls! The bounce is great and so is the overall feel of this ball, and it is especially great for shooters. Everybody will be asking to try out and to play with your ball, once they first try it out! Overall, this ball is definitely worth every cent you pay.

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Spalding NBA Zi/O

If you are looking for a ball that can withstand high-intensity, competitive play and still be soft and tacky, this one is for you! Good ball that can be used both out- and indoors. It comes in the official size, the weight is just right and it feels great in the hands for shooting. We were looking to bridge the gap between a great but expensive ball and cheap but ineffective. We feel quite confident that this one is great for just that, but be warned that is does not have the durability of a basketball made specifically for ourdoor play. It is simply much more suitable for indoor play. If you are to use it for occasional street games, just make sure you store it indoors.

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What to look for in a good indoor basketball?

Material

First of all, carefully pick the material of the basketball. For indoor playing, your ball should be of genuine leather or composite leather. It is a fact that the professionals from the NBA and WNBA use only leather basketballs. Leather has a true feeling and nice touch, though it does require some break-in time, just as high-quality leather basketball shoes do.

Synthetic leather has a similar feel to real leather, but don’t require a break-in period. Synthetic leather basketballs can be used both inside and outdoors, and are more likely to last longer than authentic leather ones.

Grip

The good basketball for indoors should offer a superior grip and allow for great control while playing. This is ensured by the pebbles on the surface as well as the added channels and wedges on the cover of the ball.

The adequate moisture control of the ball is also of big importance, given the amount of sweat being produced during an intensive basketball match.

Size

The size of the basketball depends on your age, sex and if not playing professionally or competitively, frankly it is a matter of personal preference. The good quality basketballs offered by reputable producers are made in accordance to the regulations of the NBA, FIBA or other basketball associations.

Durability

Of course, the durability and the price are also crucial for choosing the best basketball for indoors. The best version is to get a quality ball with enhanced durability at a great price!

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