10 Best Indoor Basketballs For Gyms and your league games!

The sound of a bouncing ball echoing through a gymnasium is music to a basketball lover’s ears. But high-quality indoor basketballs are more than just a piece of equipment—it’s a tool for honing skills, fostering competition, and enhancing enjoyment of the game. So, what are the best indoor basketballs in 2023? Here’s a comprehensive review.

Best Indoor Basketballs

1. Spalding TF-1000 Legacy Classic Indoor Basketball

As a household name in basketball gear, Spalding offers quality you can trust. The TF-1000 Legacy Indoor Basketball holds the lead, with its advanced microfiber composite cover delivering superior grip, control, and durability. Its incredible design ensures players can shoot and dribble confidently.

The Spalding TF-1000 Legacy Classic stands out as one of my favorite indoor basketballs on the market.

Pros & Cons

2. Wilson Evolution Indoor Basketball

Used and approved for many high school games (NFHS – National Federation of State High School Associations). The Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Basketball continues to be a favorite choice among high schools and college athletes. Its Microfiber Composite leather cover provides an exceptional grip. Combined with Cushion Core Carcass, it ensures a softer touch and maximum control.

Pros & Cons

3. Baden Elite Indoor Game Basketball

Used for ESPN’s TBT (The Basketball Tournament) which has been continually growing in popularity. The Baden’s Elite Indoor Game Basketball features advanced microfiber cover and patented Cushion Control Technology, which creates a softer feel ball with an exceptional grip and balanced control.

Pros & Cons

4. Molten BG5000 Indoor Basketball

A top choice for many international competitions. It’s known for its signature 12-panel design that enhances visibility, and its genuine leather cover offers a good grip. However, there is a break-in period with this ball.

I haven’t been able to use this ball too often, but when I did, it had a superior grip and control. However, the two-tone color did throw me off a bit in the beginning. Once I got used to it, it became a great basketball, albeit quite expensive.

Pros & Cons

5. Nike Elite Tournament Basketball

In a nutshell, the Nike Elite Tournament Basketball stands as a solid choice for those looking for exceptional indoor performance, at a price that is typically under those top-tier indoor basketballs. I’ve used this both as an outdoor and indoor basketball. As an indoor basketball it might not be a top-tier ball, but its a solid choice.

Pros & Cons

6. Wilson Forge

Usually, I’d use this ball strictly for outdoor basketball. But hey, if you’re on the hunt for a more affordable option that plays well in an indoor gym, this isn’t a bad choice. I’ve actually played with it a few times indoor, and it did the job just fine. Just remember to give it a good break-in beforehand.

Pros & Cons

7. Wilson NBA Official Game Ball

Wilson NBA Official Game Ball holds a prestigious position as the official ball of the NBA. If you dream of shooting, dribbling, passing, and rebounding like your favorite NBA player, look no further! This is the ball that Curry, Lebron, Embiid, Giannis, Luka, Joker, Durant, and every NBA player plays with!

Pros & Cons

8. Spalding Precision TF-1000 Indoor Basketball

The Spalding Precision Indoor Game Basketball is a top-notch ball that offers a fantastic feel, excellent bounce, and exceptional control. While it may be considered a standard lower-end ball compared to the Spalding Legacy Indoor Ball, it certainly doesn’t fall short in terms of quality.

In fact, it’s a highly recommended choice! Plus, it’s NFHS approved, making it a popular pick for high school and even college games.

Pros & Cons

9. Wilson NCAA Encore

While advertised as an indoor/outdoor basketball, I primarily used it indoors and it performs excellently. It has a soft feel, good bounce, and is priced under $50, making it a valuable option. Additionally, it is NCAA approved. Overall, it is a reliable indoor basketball that can also be used outdoors

Pros & Cons

10. Spalding Cross Court Official Basketball

This ball is the right pick for both indoor and outdoor basketball. I have to say, it really held up as an indoor basketball. And for under $35, it’s a good affordable option. It’s got a good feel and solid grip for dribbling and handles. Just an all-around solid indoor basketball. And if you take it outdoors, make sure to clean off the dirt before using it indoors.

Pros & Cons

What to Look For When Selecting the best Indoor Basketballs?

When purchasing an indoor basketball, several factors come into play to ensure you find the perfect ball for your needs.

Here’s what to look for:

1. Material & Feel

I consider myself a shooter with good ball-handling skills. So the feel of a basketball is the utmost importance. And some balls feel better than others.

It’s really the texture of a basketball is usually characterized by small bumps or pebbles across its surface. These provide the player with a better grip, enabling controlled dribbling, passing, and shooting.

A good basketball should have a strong grip to allow for better control when dribbling or shooting. This usually comes down to the texture of the ball, which can be affected by the material, the pebbling (small bumps on the ball’s surface), and the ball’s channels (the recessed lines on the ball).

Indoor Basketballs are typically made from genuine leather or composite/synthetic leather, or rubber.

• Genuine leather provides the best feel and performance but is also the most expensive.
• Synthetic leather offers a good balance between performance and durability and is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

2. Size

Basketballs come in various sizes to suit different age groups and genders. Adult men typically use a size 7 ball (29.5″ circumference), women and boys aged 12-14 use a size 6 ball (28.5″ circumference), and younger children use sizes 5 (27.5″ circumference) or smaller.

3. Weight

The weight of a basketball can affect your game, particularly when shooting. A standard men’s basketball should weigh about 22 ounces, and a women’s basketball should weigh around 20 ounces. Kids’ balls will be lighter.

4. Bounce

A basketball should have a consistent and true bounce. Inconsistent bouncing can make the ball difficult to control and could disrupt your game. This is very important but it’s more about the right air being blown into the ball.

5. Moisture Absorption

Indoor basketballs should have good moisture absorption to handle sweat or water, ensuring the ball doesn’t become slippery during intense games.

6. Durability

High-quality materials and construction contribute to a basketball’s durability. While indoor basketballs are typically used on smooth, clean surfaces and not exposed to harsh outdoor conditions, they should still be able to withstand continuous play.

7. Price

Consider your budget when choosing a basketball. While there are plenty of budget-friendly options available, it may be worth investing in a higher-quality ball if you play frequently or competitively.

8. Brand Reputation

Renowned brands like Wilson, Spalding, or Nike have established reputations for quality and performance. While not the only factor to consider, opting for a well-known brand can often provide some assurance of a good product.

By keeping these factors in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the perfect indoor basketball for your needs.