Basketball sizes differ depending on age, gender, and level of play. The NBA's official basketball size is 29.5 inches in circumference. These basketballs are often two colors and somewhat larger, with a 30.7-inch circumference for the men's ball and a 29-inch circumference for the women's. Smaller balls are used by younger players while larger balls are used by older players. In general, men's basketball is sized larger than women's because men need more room to move without hitting their knees or elbows. Women usually have smaller bones and joints, so they don't need as large a ball. Also, young boys' basketball games use small balls because they can be used over and over again during practice sessions. As they get older, they can handle a ball that weighs more like the men's ball. The term "men's basketball" can be confusing because it implies that women's basketball is a smaller sport. In fact, both men's and women's basketball are elite levels of basketball that require intense training and competitive play. There are also recreational leagues where people can play either men's or women's basketball. In these leagues, each team has an equal number of players on each side of the court. The term "women's basketball" was once used as a negative label to describe basketball played by males. That stigma has gone away, but there are still differences between the men's and women's games.