Does the NBA use Spalding or Wilson basketballs?
Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and the NBA revealed the league's new official game ball on Thursday. The new ball will be used beginning with the regular season in 2021-22. The NBA and Wilson have committed to a multi-year collaboration, with Wilson taking over as the league's official ball manufacturer from Spalding. The new ball is black with red highlights and features a white logo with blue trim. It weighs around 32 grams (1.21 ounces) and measures in at 10 inches in diameter. It is made of vulcanized rubber and has graphics designed to improve visibility on television screens. Spalding produced basketballs for more than 80 years before being replaced last year by Under Armour. In addition to the NBA, Spalding balls are used by the WNBA, several European leagues, and various domestic competitions. Wilson has become one of the leading manufacturers of sports equipment, including baseball bats, golf clubs, tennis racquets, and swimwear. It acquired Spalding's basketball business in 2017. Before that deal, Wilson had been partnering with the NBA for eight seasons as an alternate ball supplier. The company also sponsors two players: Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. Booker has ranked among the top five rookies in scoring three straight years while Morant was named the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year after leading all first-year players with 26 victories.