facts and information about basketball equipment

the gear you need to play basketball

Basketball is a newer sport considering the long history of sports such as baseball and soccer, however it has also grown to be one of the most popular sports in America as well as the world.  While little is required besides skill to play the game, one does need a basketball, a basket (or two!), and proper basketball shoes.  For this reason, basketball is one of the few sports that require very little equipment in order to participate.

First off, the basketball itself is the most essential piece of equipment in playing this game.  The sport of basketball was born in the mid 1890s by a man named James Naismith.  It was developed at the YMCA, and players used two peach baskets as goals along with a soccer ball.  Players would dribble the soccer ball up and down the court, but it was soon found that a much better ball could be used for this sport.  The original balls made specifically for basketball were brown, but in the late 1950s the orange ball was introduced so the ball would be more visible to both players and spectators. 

There are different types of basketballs that can be used for different reasons.  A leather basketball may be used indoors, and is ideal for proper play.  A rubber or plastic basketball is suitable for both indoor and outdoor play but will not provide the quality that a leather basketball does.  The standard circumference of a basketball is 29 ½ to 30 inches.  However, a women’s ball is 28 ½ to 29 inches, which is a 1-inch smaller circumference.  Also, a women’s ball is 2 ½ ounces lighter than the men’s ball.  These standards do not apply to international women’s competition because in that instance a standard sized ball is used.  Popular basketballs these days are made by Spalding, Wilson, and Molten.