There are many different types of basketballs as seen here at Academy Sports' and Outdoors on Sunday March 28, 2010.

The Way the Ball Bounces

It all about the way the ball bounces. But which ball bounces the best? With so many different choices, it’s hard to decide which ball is best for play.

Every basketball has a different texture, and sometimes color. The texture is dependent on whether the ball is meant for indoor or outdoor play. The most popular balls for younger players are basketball that can be used indoors and outdoors. Vanessa Roberts, parent of a 7 year-old Justin says “I chose the indoor/outdoor ball so my son can play on the basketball goal in our backyard and in the gym at the local YMCA without messing up the ball.”

The most popular ball according to Academy Sports' and Outdoors sales associate Matthews Smith is the Wilson Evolution. Also, the NCAA endorses this ball as their preferred basketball for their collegiate games. Smith went on to say that the ball is popular because of the soft texture, which is very important to guards and shooters.

The Wilson Evolution ball is one of the most preferred balls by basketball players according to a sales associate at Academy Sports' and Outdoors.

According to Terrul Henderson, high school basketball coach in Port Arthur, TX, the preferred basketball for he and his team is the Spalding TF-1000. This ball has an extraordinary grip and is very good at absorbing sweat. Spalding is also the official sponsor of the NBA, but Spalding has created a ball only to be used by the NBA. They have recently changed the NBA ball’s texture to the dismay of coaches and players.

Overall, there are many choices of basketballs, and it should be left in the player’s hand to decide which ball best fits their needs.