A sport needs its requisites in order to be played. Tennis needs a racket, court, lines, hawk-eye, scoreboard, ball, and players. Other sports need similar things, from balls to other equipment, including people who will judge and keep score.
Basketball needs plenty of these things, but the most important thing to many is the ball. Without it, you cannot really play basketball, but some other form of hoops which is definitely not close to being official.
2021 brought us many new great things and new basketballs are another one of those things. Here are the best ones to consider in 2021.
Wilson – Evolution
Wilson is known for its quality, being used in many professional applications. There is no doubt that the Evolution is a great ball, but to be used indoors. It will otherwise be wasted outdoors. No ball is the best for both, but this one should be your top priority if you want to play indoors. It is not an expensive ball, but being a Wilson it is more expensive than a cheap one, but it will pay itself out with many years of indoor service.
Molten – X Series
There are balls that are great indoors and some which are great outdoors, but not every ball excels at a particular thing and this one excels at both. The Molten X Series is great both indoors and outdoors, making it the best ball to take if you want to have a single ball which is great at more than a single thing. Used in the Olympics, it is the ball to look at if you like that style of ball. It is different than balls made for the NBA so if you plan on playing there, you might want to skip it.
Spalding Street Outdoor Basketball
Spalding makes great balls and this one is one of them, even more so if you like playing outdoors. The Street Outdoor Basketball is a great performer outside, on concrete, cement, and in other unpredictable conditions like rain and such. Made out of rubber, it will grip as well as you can expect it, which is pretty important for a basketball and more for one which is meant for outdoor playing.
Wilson NCAA Official Ball
If you want to get official, this is the ball to do it. It is expensive, among the more expensive balls, but for an official ball, it should be. This is the ball to get if you want to play by NBA or WNBA standards. It is available in multiple sizes, of course, and it is best used indoors, being made for the NBA and WNBA.
Spalding Zi/O Indoor/Outdoor
The one ball to do it all, the Spalding Zi/O will serve anybody, both indoor and outdoor, just like the Molten X Series. Consider this one as an alternative, as well as a great overall ball.
These are the best basketballs you can purchase in 2021 and it comes as no surprise to see these names here, the largest of basketball manufacturers.
