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The Best Indoor Basketball For Hobbyists: Top 4 Choices

Imagine playing this sport without using the best indoor basketball for you…

Sounds pretty boring, right?

Now imagine playing WITH that type of ball. The superior grip, the natural smooth feel makes you one with the ball. Shooting threes with ease and dribbling like Kyrie Irving all over the court.

One problem – which one do I go for!?

For me, basketball is the best hobby you could ask for. I admit, I may not be the best player out there, but I hate playing with crappy unusable balls. Not picking the right one might result in you quitting on this beautiful sport.

Choosing the right one from this list does not matter as I think all of them will make for a better time playing indoor basketball.

I want this article to provide you with an honest and accurate answer saving you from doing lots of research yourself and getting overwhelmed by so many choices.

Before Buying The Best Indoor Basketball for Hobbyists

Basketball is one of the world’s most popular sports, starting indoors, with many leagues outside of college and high school (secondary school).

Even just playing with friends on an indoor court, these basketball’s will bring enjoyment.

Playing Sport as a Hobby With The Best Indoor Basketball

Health Improvement – It’s a great way to stay healthy, keeping cardiovascular fitness levels up, and staying in shape.

All it takes is an hour, playing with the best indoor basketball for maximum enjoyment, to burn almost 1,000 calories, and getting a sweaty workout in through dribbling up and down the court; working on your jump shot is good for your stamina.

Stress Relief – By staying focused on basketball skills such as shooting, dribbling, and passing, you will feel the stress start to go away after shooting a few hoops.

Not only that, but it will help you stay focused at work, channeling that energy to overcome challenges and tasks, etc. And picking the best indoor basketball will make sure you don’t get frustrated whilst balling.

Socializing – The sport of basketball is great for making new friends! When there are other fellow hoopers playing ball on the same indoor court as you, making friends will be easy, adding them on social media afterward, and meeting up for more fun games.

Also, playing ball with people you already know (friends or family) strengthens those relationships for a tighter bond.

But… don’t force yourself to like it.

If indoor basketball doesn’t excite you or bring you any enjoyment, don’t play it and don’t buy a ball.

Feeling like you have to play a sport will only make you miserable, so I wouldn’t advise forcing it.

However, by investing in the best indoor basketball and giving it a chance, learning the game will make for an awesome hobby!

All in all, a hobby is supposed to be fun. So, picking the right one from this list isn’t as important as getting better, and growing in this sport is what brings excitement. Also, taking days off will make sure you don’t get bored and help rest your muscles.

Choosing the right size basketball for hobbyists

Picking the right size for a hobbyist does not have any significance in having fun, in my opinion. Then again, switching between different sizes could hurt your shooting and dribbling, ruining competitive play for you. Without further ado, here are the sizes for both genders:

Size 6 – Official ball size for Females with a 28.5-inch circumference (72.39 centimeters) usual weight = 20 ounces.
Size 7 – Official ball size for Males with a 29.5-inch circumference (74.93 centimeters) usual weight = 22 ounces.

Molten GL7x

The first one on this list was the official 2015-2019 game ball for international FIBA competitions and other international leagues. It comes in a size 6 and a size 7, perfect for Male and Female hobbyists, and is priced anywhere between 100 to 150 pounds and dollars. Although, I have found out you can get it for a cheaper cost of 80.

Let’s first talk about the material. This ball’s produced with a premium real leather cover made just for indoor use. Since it’s real leather, it’ll become much softer and pliable once broken into. One thing I want to mention, don’t worry about its pebbles since they don’t make much of a difference to your play, no matter what ball it is.

Molten has said that the parallel pebble design makes for better fingertip control and overall better performance giving you a high level of grip because the seams and pebbled surface are flat due to the 12-panel (12 rubber laces all together) Giugiaro design. This design gives you a more consistent touch and helps you in judging backspin.

At first, the Molten GL7x had a firm and rough grip because of the real leather material. But, once broken into, it becomes nice and smooth, giving you a tremendous level of grip, faking shots like Michael Jordan. People have said the grip worsens with the white parts staying the same in terms of grip. For a stronger shot, that’s where you should place your fingertips.

Now, once fully broken into, it has a completely different feel to it, almost dream-like. It feels so much smoother and nicer, becoming much better than that of a composite leather ball. Feel is probably the most important factor as it can determine bounce too.

It does not have the best indoor basketball durability but is still at a decent level, not affecting your basketball skills in a negative way whatsoever. Cleaning the basketball by using a cloth and soapy water is my advice, but it doesn’t get as dusty as composite leather balls.

Lastly, it does not have the most consistent bounce when it comes to dribbling moves, sometimes bouncing a bit too high for a player’s liking. So, if the ball comes inflated, I recommend you let a bit of air out. The structure of its strong nylon wound butyl bladder helps keep air into the max, having the best air retention for indoor play. To find the correct air pressure of this indoor basketball, it’s imprinted around the valve area.

Nike Elite Championship Airlock

This Nike product is famous amongst indoor hoopers but only comes with an official size 7 so, not the best choice for Females or children and is made for indoor use. It comes in at around 60 dollars or 50 pounds, and I think this is the best indoor basketball for hobbyists if you’re the kind of player who likes to have fun shooting mid-range, free throws, three-point shots.

It’s made with a game dry composite leather cover (keeping it dry), which they’ve said sweat slides right off the ball. No matter what position you play, its grip will help out loads with shooting and dribbling. Having wider channels (deep-pebble grip) makes it a better choice for shooters by making it easier to align the fingertips with grooves for better shot accuracy and control, pulling off a quicker shot.

They make this ball with a leather microfiber backing to which Nike said provides you with a nice soft-touch with moisture absorption keeping sweat away. It has a rotationally balanced butyl carcass to stop the ball from getting out of shape, no more worries about getting lumps on the ball.

Now, having a woven microfiber backing gives you a smooth and consistent (almost real leather-like) feel. It’s harder on your hands than other indoor composite leather basketballs but maintains a great soft feel. The Nike Elite Championship Airlock has a similar feel to the all mighty Wilson Evolution game ball but will become very slippery if used outdoors.

The Nike Elite Championship is VERY washable. So, for an easier time cleaning, use a bucket of hot soapy water and a cloth. Having some of the best indoor basketball durability, you can expect it to last you for as long as half a decade before replacing it for a new one (no joke). However, you should avoid using this ball outdoors as elements like concrete will change it for the worst!

Bounce is pretty consistent and reliable on this ball, equaling an easier time with crossovers and ankle breakers. It’s said to hold in air very well because of Nike’s Airlock Technology providing a great versatile air pressure (imprinted around the valve area). Adding in the Airlock was a good idea as its previous counterpart lost air consistently.

Spalding TF-1000 Legacy

Another ball designed for indoor play is available in official NBA size 7 and official WNBA size 6, being a mate to both genders. It comes inflated and ready to go for games, and when talking about cost, I’ve seen it priced anywhere between 50 to 80 pounds and dollars, so a pretty high-quality indoor ball. Also, it used to be very popular amongst indoor players.

When the material comes to mind, the Spalding TF-1000 Legacy is produced with a ZK Microfiber composite leather cover, with a deep channel design for incredible controllability when combining dribbling moves and helps with jump shot mechanics. The nylon windings on this ball help keep its structure. They’ve done a great job with this ball as it’s very sturdy and does not get out of shape.

Having super absorption, it improves your grip on this indoor ball when hands get sweaty, flicking sweat right off the basketball. Straight out of the packaging, it has a nice strong grip but is known to get a bit slick over time, making it harder to palm. Another thing is, the channels of this ball help you maintain a good grip, especially for shooters who like to align fingertips with the grooves.

Produced with a responsive cushioned sponge carcass, it provides you with a super soft feel and truer bounce. This ball is described as “pillow-soft,” almost as soft as the Nike Elite Championship basketball, making it the BEST choice for hardcore dribblers. Since it’s very lightweight, shooting from deep and dribbling faster is guaranteed!

The CLARINO (tough yet subtle material) Synthetic Leather is the reason why this has one of the best indoor basketball durability’s out there, looking brand new even after years of play. Therefore, you can say Spalding was correct about this ball maintaining its shape. Then again, this does NOT mean using it outdoors is okay. It’s not. This will tear the material apart.

Rotationally balanced butyl bladder for ultimate air retention… is what Spalding claims. However, many people have complained about the Spalding TF-1000 legacy losing air all the time, so having a ball pump nearby will come in handy. I recommend pumping it up slightly higher than the standard air pressure of 7 PSI (pounds per square inch), but not too high as some people have said it becomes too bouncy. Overall, it does not have the most consistent bounce out there, but good enough for a fun time in my eyes.

Adidas Pro 2.0

The Adidas Pro 2.0 is quite a new ball and does not come inflated, made for indoor use only. It’s priced at around 60 dollars and pounds. The unfortunate thing for Females, it comes in one size, size 7. Starting with the design, it looks amazing and spotless, and in place, making it harder for you to stop staring at the ball. Adidas isn’t a trendy basketball brand, but people have said this is an awesome ball to use. It is now the official All-American game basketball, replacing The Rock.

The Adidas Pro 2.0 is manufactured out of a 100 percent composite leather compound cover with great sweat and moisture management. The cover’s channels help you control the ball and with ball-handling, too, carrying out dribbling moves with ease.

Its flat pebble channels (not made from traditional rubber) give you more grip to help with shooting and ball-handling fundamentals. Although it may be just a slight noticeable change, the grip is enhanced well for a nice and steady jumper. Overall, compared to the other indoor basketballs on this list, I think the Adidas Pro 2.0 gives you the utmost grip.

Similar to most composite leather balls, this one feels super soft in your hands. You can imagine this ball’s softness already as fake leather is much softer than genuine leather, being able to withstand hard wooden indoor courts. Players have said it feels slightly bigger than your average ball but maintains a nice smooth feel straight outta the box.

To have the best indoor basketball durability, the ball needs a strong bladder to maintain the structure and provide a long-lasting life. This one has exactly that. It’s being produced with this bladder to make an improved version of the previous make, which was not very durable. Dust and everything else from an indoor court should slide off nice and easy, but I still recommend cleaning it.

At the end of the day, there’s not much I can say about this indoor ball as it’s still very new and yet to be tested properly. On the other hand, Adidas has claimed its butyl bladder to provide the ultimate air retention, to which I recommend inflating it somewhere between 7.5 and 8.5 PSI (pounds per square inch). To my knowledge, air pressure is imprinted around the valve and should say 7.9 PSI.

Developing Rhythm for Your Jump Shot

Creating rhythm is by far the most important thing to do before shooting. If your shot has no rhythm, then you shouldn’t even think about taking it, whether a defender is on you or not.

“If you aren’t in rhythm, don’t take the shot” – All Coaches.

The good news? Creating rhythm is very simple.

If you are shooting off the pass, you dip the ball before you shoot. Therefore, you’ve created “rhythm.” In basketball, there are only two basic types of shots. A shot off the dribble and a shot off the pass. Let’s take a look:

Shooting off the dribble – There is no need to dip. The reasoning behind this is that the ball is already low. When taking a shot off the dribble, rhythm is created by the dribble itself.
Shooting off the pass – In this case, rhythm needs to be created by the shooter. How is this done, you ask? Upon catching the pass, you need to lower the ball below your chest to the waist or hip area before quickly raising the ball into the shooting motion.

The rhythm allows the shooter to have a more comfortable and more powerful shot. Now, many coaches will tell you NOT to dip.

The most basic fundamental skill in basketball is the triple threat. With this skill, you have three options. Shoot, pass, dribble the ball towards the basket.

And what is the only way of getting into the triple threat when catching a pass? The dip!

To Conclude: The Best Indoor Basketball for Hobbyists

I always like to say having the correct mechanics/fundamentals is more important than picking the right ball. Heck, it will also equal having more fun!

I mean, who enjoys sucking at basketball, right?

Without wasting your time, I will go into which one is best for your needs.

Highest quality ball on this list? I would say the Molten GL7x as it’s made from real leather as well as most expensive. Real leather has the best smell and, once broken into, feel becomes unmatchable.

The best indoor basketball for shooters? That would be the Nike Elite Championship Airlock. Designed for great shooting accuracy, has a perfect bounce, and outlasts any ball on this list in terms of longevity.

When it comes to durability, I think the Spalding TF-1000 Legacy is the most durable on this list and is the best choice for hardcore dribblers.

Last but not least, the Adidas Pro 2.0. It has replaced the All-American official game ball “The Rock.” This tells you it must be amazing since The Rock is an incredible ball. I’m going to say this is the best indoor basketball overall.

All these basketballs will help you out, and if you don’t like your choice, switch it out for a new one.

If you’re sick of always playing with a crappy ball whenever you’re out with friends or playing in a league, picking one of these is a cakewalk.

I hope you’ve found this article helpful! If you have any other questions about these choices, feel free to leave a comment below! I’ll make sure to reply ASAP.

As always, Happy Balling!

Best Basketball Indoor: Top 4 Picks For College

“Best basketball indoor for college.”

That would be easier to find if you didn’t have so many options to choose from, right?

In my time of research, I thought to myself, “wow, I haven’t seen this many balls since College!”

Going back 2 or 3 years ago, I was in the same shoes as you. My college had basketballs that were horrible and uncomfortable to use. My friends would bring in their own, and we’d always argue about which one to play with.

What I’ve learned was that picking the right one wasn’t important. But, having at least a high-quality indoor basketball by your side motivated people to spend more time on an indoor court for more experience.

If you like to have fun while being competitive, then the ones on this list are right for you!

And did you know that basketball was made as an indoor sport to keep athletes inside during the harsh winter?

It took me a very long time to compile this list, but these are the basketballs that I think are best for collegiate players. I am expecting this article to provide you with just the right answer for your needs.

What to Consider Before Picking the Best Basketball Indoor for College

These balls combined with great shooting and dribbling mechanics will help you eliminate those side and improve ball handling transforming you into a basketball T-Rex.

The Size and Cost of an Indoor Basketball

Picking the right size of a basketball is very important as it can have a huge effect on a player’s game. At the college level, it is your job to check the listings for official game balls.

In my personal experience, great shooting and dribbling mechanics are developed through muscle memory. This is key to becoming a basketball Rex, so sticking to one size will help you a lot as each size ball has a different weight.

Here are the two sizes for collegiate players:

Size 6 – Official game ball for Female collegiate players up to the WNBA with a 28.5-inch circumference (72 centimeters). Typical weight = 20 ounces.

Size 7 – Official game ball for Male collegiate player’s up to the NBA with a 29.5-inch circumference (75 centimeters). Typical weight = 22 ounces.

Indoor composite leather or real leather basketballs are the most expensive on the market. You might be able to find the best basketball indoor for less than $50 or £40, but the chances of that happening are slim to none. The best one’s come at 50 to well over 100 pounds and dollars.

Out of both genuine leather and composite leather basketballs, real leather is the most expensive. In the end game, the most common factor that determines the cost of a basketball is material. Higher quality equals more expensive.

Composite (not real) Leather

This material provides the player with additional grip and a very nice soft feel. Being made tough, they are also delicate for indoor use. Composite leather is a popular choice amongst collegiate players of all levels.

In comparison to genuine leather, most indoor composite leather balls have smoother surfaces and are much softer. However, whichever ball you pick from this list, they’re all high-quality basketballs.

The composite leather material decides how a ball bounces and feels in the player’s hands, making skills like shooting, dribbling, and passing much more fun and enjoyable, leading to a better time with improving.

There are lots of different composite leather balls out there with advanced technologies to suit player’s needs. Why composite leather, you ask? It means they can mass produce lots of different basketballs from this material.

Let me assure you that almost all indoor composite leather balls are ready to go straight out of the box without needing to be broken into.

Genuine (real) Leather

The material alone can be a player’s number one reason for picking the best basketball indoor for college. Genuine leather provides you with a true grip as well as a nice soft feel. But it feels a little slick straight out of the box.

100 percent leather balls do their best work on hard-wood indoor courts because of their softness. Even though it’s a softer material, it becomes softer once broken into. This takes a few weeks or even months, depending on how much time you spend playing.

Once fully broken into, it’s hard to compare the abilities to composite leather balls, which is why real leather is used for professional leagues like the NBA or international FIBA, making it the perfect choice for elite players.

In general, real leather is a lot more comfortable than composite leather but is a lot more expensive. Due to the higher price, they are much tougher and harder than those composite leather balls.

Full-grain leather can also help you out a lot with components like agility instead of speed, as speed doesn’t quite dominate the collegiate level as it does with high school (secondary school).

Fun fact: The smell of genuine leather is just the best like you’re part of a leather jacket motorcycle gang or something.

Grip & Feel

Since both the materials above are soft, it means they’re much grippier too! For instance, composite leather balls have great grip from the start, and when entering the breakthrough period of a real leather ball, the grip becomes unmatchable.

Depending on the channels’ width and depth, it makes a lot of difference to shooting and dribbling the best basketball indoor. For example, basketballs with deeper channels can help a player shoot better by aligning the fingertips with its black strips.

Also, moisture and sweaty hands will always be a problem for any ball, slightly worsening the grip throughout games or practice.

Some basketballs come with moisture absorbent technology minimizing this problem as much as possible for better grip and control over the ball.

Grip alone can take your skills to the next level but feel is more important. If you don’t become one with the ball, shooting and dribbling will feel off.

The most important factor to consider in combination with grip is the feel. The best basketball indoor needs a good balance between the two for you to have comfort and enjoyability when using the ball in games or practice.

By having a great feel of the basketball, it will lead to a better bounce. If you want to go with a genuine leather ball, its breathtaking feel will make it so much easier to use, providing you with a nice soft touch once fully broken into. But, if you’re going with a composite leather choice, they feel great straight out of the packaging.

Durability

Since these materials are meant to be soft, it means they’re designed to withstand any indoor court, not gravel, concrete or blacktop, etc., elements that rip the basketball’s material apart.

Genuine leather is more brittle than composite leather, so using the more expensive material outdoors would be an even worse idea.

Because the indoor basketballs on this list are made from high-quality material, you won’t have to worry about durability.

Here are some things you should avoid:

Kicking the basketball (this will hurt your foot…. a lot)
Bouncing the ball off a wall (causes lumps)
Bouncing the ball outside when patrolling around the college.

Cleaning your ball will also make it last longer (check out my other articles for more in-depth caretaking). Using a bucket of warm soapy water and a cloth, cleaning all the dust and dirt off it, and taking immediate action to dry it will help any ball last longer.

Spalding NBA Official Game Ball

This is the NBA’s official game ball (National Basketball Association) and a great choice for elite collegiate players who like to visualize themselves playing in the NBA. Spalding has put over three decades into this ball…three decades! Making it the most high-quality ball on the market.

Important note: It only comes in size 7, so not the best choice for Female collegiate players.

My first pick is made with 100% real genuine Horween (horsehide) leather, making this ball super expensive, being priced between $100-$150 or £100-£150. It may take some time getting used to if you’ve never experienced real leather before but becomes butter soft within a few weeks or months.

The Spalding NBA ball has wide channels providing you with an all-natural grip but is a bit slick at the beginning. Depending on how many weeks or months you spend playing with this basketball, once it’s fully broken into, the grip becomes unmatchable.

This genuine leather basketball absorbs sweat better than most composite leather balls do, maintaining the best grip possible no matter what environment you’re in.

However, there are balls out there with a much better grip than this one. But, with great shooting and dribbling mechanics, Its grip will still help out tremendously. If you’re looking for a basketball that’s much more focused on feel than grip, then this is the best choice for you.

Its amazing “second nature” feel will be observed as rough at the beginning for some players. But after being broken into, it feels nice and soft due to the Spalding NBA Official Game ball’s leather material and wider rubber channels, making you one with the ball.

Combining this indoor basketball with some of the best sweat absorption technology out there gives the player a great balance between grip and feel. When sweat and moisture get onto it, the same level of grip and feel is maintained throughout.

Do not get fooled by this indoor basketball’s heavy feel, as it is very lightweight, coming in at just half a kilo to provide you with much better control. This ball is loved so much by NBA players because of its natural and amazing feel.

If you put grip and feel on a balance scale, feel would certainly outweigh grip, making this the best basketball indoor on this list.

Any genuine leather will outlast most of the best basketballs out there, lasting you decades or even centuries! (in a metaphoric way).

Genuine leather makes for a tough basketball giving the Spalding NBA official ball the best indoor durability once it’s fully broken into.

Although tough, it will die down very quickly when used outdoors because real leather is designed to withstand, by the skin of one’s teeth, indoor floors. Also, don’t forget to take good care of it!

Due to it being lightweight, it gives the player an easier time with control over the ball. This leads to a great reliable bounce and better ball handling experience. As it is the official ball of the NBA, it has the highest bounce consistency out there. With an awesome leveled bounce, the ball will go wherever you want it to.

I recommend inflating the best basketball indoor to an 8PSI (pounds per square inch). Being already inflated upon arrival means you don’t have to worry about pumping it up. Also, since you won’t need a ball pump, it shows how great its air retention is as there’s no air leakage or anything of that matter.

Spalding TF-1000 Classic ZK

In Canada and the USA, this basketball is the most popular amongst all players and one of the finest out there because of its high quality. It is also a great choice for Female collegiate players as Spalding is the official WNBA basketball, coming in at a size 6 and 7. This one comes in at around $50 or £80.

A little word of warning, the original Spalding TF-1000 was better, but this one is almost as good. Some people have said this ball isn’t as high quality as the old one, which used to be the best basketball indoor for college. I say there’s not much difference between the two, and most people would agree.

It comes with a complete Spalding ZK Microfiber outer cover, having the hardest composite leather in existence. The glossy look of this TF-1000 model will put some people off, along with its darker colour. However, it has a much higher quality cover than the original.

Although tacky initially, this indoor basketball has an outstanding level of grip due to the “ZK Microfiber” cover. Grip alone will take any collegiate player’s game to the next level. When the moisture control technology (MCT) kicks in, the ball becomes easier to grip to make things better.

Keep in mind; it’s not like a normal composite leather basketball. Its grip will take a few weeks or even a month to fully kick in but do not worry as it’s still exceptional from the beginning.

The Spalding TF-1000 provides you with a great soft feel (not the softest) with moisture control technology, making it feel more consistent. Yet, some players have said, it feels similar to that of a rubber ball, whereas most think it still has a quality feel.

The reason why its softness isn’t the softest is that some said it feels a bit on the rough side with a dry tacky feel. The “tacky” feel on the ball only occurs at the beginning, becoming unnoticeable overtime.

When looking at this basketball’s channels, a standard rubber design has been used, and they aren’t too wide nor deep to maximize ball control.

Some people have made complaints about this ball arriving damaged. When this happens, please take a deep breath and return the ball to swap it for a new up to date one.

As this one is an indoor basketball, keep to just using it indoors. When comparing this basketball’s indoor durability to the older model, this newer material outlasts the older material by a longshot.

Material is the only thing they’ve changed about this ball as the old model was way too soft and weak. Overall, it will outlive any soft composite leather basketball out there.

Even though this newer model feels different from the older one, it still has a great bounce. For hefty ball handlers who like to pound the ball, this is a great choice for you. It arrives already inflated, but I recommend pumping it up a bit higher than usual.

The standard air pressure is imprinted on the basketball around the area where you insert the pump into. Inflating it between 7.5 and 8.5 PSI (pounds per square inch) is perfect.

It’s a bit inconsistent with air retention, but it’s got a rotationally-balanced butyl bladder, which they’ve said provides ultimate air retention. So, I think you won’t have to use a ball pump often on the Spalding TF-1000.

Baden Perfection Rival

Coming in at an awesome value for your money, this one goes toe-to-toe when it comes to picking the best basketball indoor for college. Baden is the most underrated American company (Washington State) and isn’t as popular amongst the US and UK as Wilson or Spalding. However, it competes well against these brands, which is why it deserves a pick on this list.

This new ball is priced around $40-$50 or £40-£50. It’s also a gender-friendly basketball as it comes with a size 6 for Females and a size 7 for Males. It’s all-around a great indoor basketball for the Elite.

One cool thing about the Baden Rival is you can customize it to have your name engraved on the ball, just in case you lose it. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly basketball with amazing premium quality, this one’s for you.

Combining an advantageous composite leather cover with Baden’s patented Cushion Controlled Technology (CCT) gives you the best possible performance for the collegiate level. Its cover yields a lot of grip without that sticky feel of the Baden Elite (the best basketball indoor for college).

Hands get sweaty easily? Not a problem with this indoor ball. Its moisture-absorbent technology is very nice, almost eliminating this problem, reducing it as much as possible. You will not feel a difference with grip when your hands get sweaty.

Now, the Baden Rival channels aren’t that deep, looking like it’s focused more on feel than grip. Then again, as they’re made from rubber, they provide you with great grip anyway.

Unlike other composite leather covers, this one doesn’t feel slippery when first taking it out of the box as the CCT gives you a super comfortable and pillow-soft feel.

When it comes to feeling overall, the Baden Rival’s extra layer of cushioning is the real deal. Also, this indoor basketball’s panels’ unique construction extends the great balance it has between grip and feel.

Baden’s Cushion Controlled Technology (CCT) gives this basketball an extreme indoor durability level for a longer-lasting life, assuming you take good care of it.

The Baden Rival has a very reliable and consistent bounce due to its channels (not too wide nor deep). Whether you’re a shooter or a ball-handler, the Baden Rival is perfect for both.

The main feature that it comes with is something called a “stealth valve.” Being almost invisible, it improves the bounce whilst keeping the air into the max. I recommend pumping this bad boy up to a 7 PSI (pounds per square inch).

Molten BG4500

First of all, I’d like to say that Molten provides only the best basketballs for FIBA (French International Basketball Federation). FIBA governs the sport of basketball worldwide. This particular one is FIBA approved and the newest official ball for FIBA.

Molten is also a Japanese brand and is a trendy international ball, but not so popular amongst colleges in America and the US. Once again, this one is a friend to both genders as it comes with a size 6 and a size 7.

However, Molten basketballs are smaller than indoor US basketballs. This is a very high-quality indoor basketball ranging between £40-£70 or $50-$100.

The Molten BG4500 is made up of a nice premium composite leather cover and has a foamed rubber construction. Molten have used their 12-panel Giugiaro design on this ball, so collegiate players will see how many spins they’re putting on the ball, and they’ll have an easier time with dribbling moves too.

That, and it’s designed to look like an “X” from the side to judge spin better and to see where the ball goes during a rebound.

What’s so different about this one compared to previous Molten makes? They’ve added on an extra foamed layer, which makes this indoor basketball nice and soft.

It possesses almost the same valuable grip as a genuine leather basketball without a pesky “break-in” period. Having a 12-panel design provides you with a lot more grip and control than the old 8-panel design.

It maintains great grip with sweaty hands and moisture since the depth of the surface texture wipes it clean off, and its moisture control technology is one of the best. This allows you to get buckets at a consistent rate.

Although there are basketballs out there with much better grip, this one provides you with one of the best grip factors out there, and you can for sure rely on it to not slip out of your hands.

If you choose to buy this indoor basketball, you will not believe it’s made out of composite leather as it almost feels like real genuine leather. Because of the high-quality butyl bladder used on this ball, the feel is enhanced greatly, leading to a much better bounce.

It feels firmer than previous makes of Molten but still has a great softness to it. Overall, the balance between grip and feel on this ball is perfect.

The Molten BG4500 is not as durable as the others on this list but still has great overall indoor durability. Cleaning this basketball is a must as it collects dust easier than any other ball.

This won’t be much of a problem, though, as sweat and moisture will easily wipe the dust off. Also, as long as you take care of the ball, it will last you a very long time.

Its bounce will be a bit off-putting at first, but that will be because you’re not used to playing with a foreign ball. If you give it a chance, the bounce will feel more consistent and reliable as time goes on.

A problem with previous Molten series basketballs was that they didn’t hold air in very well. Since they made this one with an indestructible butyl bladder, I guarantee you it won’t be a problem. I recommend inflating it somewhere between 7.5 or 8.5 PSI (pounds per square inch).

Correct Mechanics = Better Performance With the Best Basketball Indoor for College

The best technique to use for eliminating side misses? Your Eyes. Knowing how to use them is key for a straighter shot, never blaming the ball for your brick ever again.

Think of it like math’s back in school. The teachers made you show your work for you to check yourself.

To improve your shooting technique, you need to use your eyes the proper way to acquire “feedback” on any ball from this list, by checking yourself every time you shoot. This is done by following the path of the ball.

First, see your target (the middle of the rim). Then, after you shoot or just as you shoot, check the ball’s flight and the release to check if it’s straight.

Having your chin up will allow for an easier time glancing upwards when shooting the basketball. Many collegiate coaches teach players to stare at the rim, which will damage their shot.

This causes you to blame the ball for your miss. Staring at the rim will not help and won’t get you any feedback on your shot. There should be no movement of your head, just your eyes.

To correct your right and left misses, make sure your finger is through the rim. Try FTF:

Follow the Finger.

This is going to help keep you straight on every shot.

Here are the two options:

Eyes going up AS you shoot – During the shot, you come up with the ball, whilst your eyes are locked onto the target (middle of the rim). As you go to extend the ball, the eyes go up, and then you release. This allows you to check your alignment by keeping your eyes up after you release, seeing the ball’s flight and the release, making sure they align with the rim.

Eyes going up AFTER you shoot – This is the same. You extend up, eyes locked onto the target (middle of the rim), and when the ball comes off your fingers, your eyes flick up to check the flight of the ball and the release, making sure they align with the rim.

The Final Run Down: Which One Is The Best Basketball Indoor for College?

I have done an article on what I think is the best basketball indoor for college, so make sure to check it out.

Having the correct mechanics will always be more important than choosing the right basketball.

But, I think the best one on this list is the Spalding NBA Official game ball. This is the best choice for indoor use. It has the best grip when compared to the others on this list. It gives the player an incredible level of feel and overall great control over the ball.

If you want a composite leather version of this basketball, the Spalding TF-1000 is an excellent choice as it’s much cheaper too. If this ball’s quality isn’t up to date, don’t hesitate to swap it for a newer one.

If you want an even better value for your money, the Baden Rival is an amazing all-around basketball, good for both Male and Female collegiate players.

If you like a bit of a foreign taste, the Molten BG4500 goes well with the “eyes” technique and has some of the best air retentions out there.

When all is said and done: Pick the one you find is best, and you’ll have a fun and enjoyable time improving to become a basketball Rex.

As always, happy balling!

Best Indoor Basketball: Top 5 List For High School

Imagine a high school hooper going into practice or a game using a cheap, low-quality ball instead of the best indoor basketball for high school (secondary school). It makes for a depressing time with dribbling, shooting, and overall performing. This sucks the life out of any sport.

Let me tell ya… playing with crappy basketballs is the worst!

An indoor court is like a haven for basketballs as they don’t consist of rough surfaces like gravel or concrete. As a result, they will last much much longer indoors.

And oh, boy – there are way too many options out there.

But, I decided to put a hell of a lot of time and effort into this list, countless hours of research done for you.

I’m hoping this article, whether or not you’re a parent, basketball player, or coach, will provide a more accurate and honest answer when choosing the best indoor basketball for your high school (secondary school).

Size and Price: Before Picking the Best Indoor Basketball

High school (secondary school) basketball players need to check the listing for the official game balls. Picking the right size will bring comfort and enjoyment in improving basketball skills.

Size 5 – With a 27.5-inch circumference (70 centimeters) used for children and youth aged 9-12 or under.

Size 6 – With a 28.5-inch circumference (72 centimeters), which is used for younger high school (secondary school) players aged 12-14 and female basketball players 12 and up.

Size 7 – With a 29.5-inch circumference (75 centimeters), which is used for official game balls for high school (secondary school) all the way up to the NBA.

High-quality composite leather basketballs are always going to come at quite the price. If luck is on your side, you can get a decent one for less than $50 (£40).

However, these range from anywhere between $40-$100 or £40-£100 and are worth it. Cheap balls won’t save you money and will need to be replaced every few months.

The Wilson EVO NXT: The Best Indoor Basketball

Material, Grip, and Feel

This is the FIBA Champions League’s official basketball, and the official basketball of ballislife.

Wilson made this indoor basketball by combining the Wilson Evolution and the Wilson NCAA solution game ball, with deeper and wider channels made from composite leather instead of traditional rubber.

It’s made out of 100% composite leather (not real leather). Some players might say the ball’s bland orange colour makes it look rubbery, but this isn’t a big deal as It is perfect for high school shooters who want the best indoor basketball whilst focusing on form and technique.

The super softcore feature beats all other surfaces out there, so being durable isn’t a problem, and it’s super moisture absorbent.

Another feature the EVO NXT comes with is extended core technology. This balances the weight of the ball equaling to less effort when shooting threes.

This indoor basketball has the perfect amount of grip and isn’t too sticky or tacky like other basketballs. It has a micro-touch double-layered cover giving the ball more texture for better grip by locking moisture away. This results in better control and an amazing feel for the player.

The moisture-absorbent cover provides immense grip throughout games and practice as it keeps sweat and moisture out to the highest level possible. Therefore, sweaty hands are no longer an issue. Since this ball’s channels are of a much higher quality than the ones on the Wilson Evolution, it produces a much better grip and a better overall comfortable feel.

Bounce and Air Retention

Another great reason why this is the best indoor basketball for high school (secondary school) is because of the bounce.

Although the bounce isn’t perfect, it is good enough to the point where you can focus on your moves and your jump shot when going game speed. The micro-touch cover will provide the player with incredible control.

Don’t get me wrong; this indoor basketball still has a consistent and reliable bounce, making it very playable. There is no “break-in” period to this basketball, so you’ll most likely feel its awesome bounce as soon as you start dribbling. Yet, some players say the bounce feels a bit empty, but I think it’s nothing serious.

The standard air pressure might be imprinted on the ball around the area where you insert the pump into.

Winter is a slight problem with air retention for basketballs… apart from this one.

You can exclude all seasons when using the Wilson EVO NXT as the design keeps air pressure to the max. Air loss is annoying but isn’t a big deal with most indoor basketballs, so using a pump will be rare.