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🏆  In a hurry?  Here’s our #1 pick:  

What is the best Indoor Basketball?

If you’re looking for the best Indoor Basketball – here’s our top pick: Wilson Evolution Game Basketball.

If you, like myself, grew up shooting hoops with a dusty brown ball in the driveway, you might be surprised to find that those basketballs won’t cut it for indoor games. 

When you’re playing on a waxed hardwood court, a great ball makes a difference. It’s critical to palm a ball that’s not too slippery with just the right amount of texture and tack. Of course, you want to get that consistent level of bounce every time you dribble. 

The best indoor basketballs come with excellent grip, crisp bounce, and soft but sturdy cover material. Finding that perfect seaming and pebbling is a real game-changer, so don’t skimp in your search for the best basketball for indoor play. 

Apart from the routine applications, indoor basketballs also make great gifts for basketball enthusiasts.

While a lot of the search for the perfect ball comes down to your personal preferences about the feel and size, I kept in mind some general rules of thumb while I put this together.

I’ll never compromise on material for an indoor ball, which is why you won’t see rubber covers on my list of recommendations. No, the best indoor basketballs must have an advanced microfiber composite or genuine leather cover. 

I recommend balls with detailed pebbling that tracks on your fingers for maximum grip. It’s also critical to pay attention to the channels or lines on the ball. Too many channels—or lines that are too deep and wide—make the ball’s bouncing too inconsistent for competitive play. 

Everyone has a different price point, so I’ve included both high-dollar items and budget-friendly options. On either end of the spectrum, you’ll find something that combines excellent quality with guaranteed durability.

The Best Indoor Basketballs Review

Regardless of whether you’re looking for an in-ground basketball system, a portable basketball hoop, or just an indoor basketball—when it comes to finding the best product—it’s never a linear process. We found a few strong contenders that will help you step up your indoor game. Read on to see our six favorite indoor basketballs that will have you sinking buckets in no time.

Picture Title Votes  
51P3b3R9aSL. SL500 Wilson Evolution Game Basketball 105 Check Price
614F7Wgf Baden Elite Indoor Game Basketball 82 Check Price
519mV1TWB2L Spalding NBA Official Game Ball 68 Check Price
61CumIQmkfL Molten X-Series GG7X Basketball 50 Check Price
514KEcP0JhL Wilson NCAA Replica 38 Check Price
51WG YaMXaL Spalding TF-1000 Classic Indoor Game Basketball 28 Check Price
Wilson Evolution Game Basketball
When it comes to recommending the best indoor basketballs, I have to hand the top spot to Wilson Evolution. This classic ball checks all the boxes for indoor play, whether you’re a high school gym teacher or professional coach. It’s a consistent favorite that you’ve likely encountered if youâ€...
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Baden Elite Indoor Game Basketball
Next up, I’ve found the Baden Elite to be one of the best affordable indoor basketballs. You’ll find it priced similarly to a Wilson, but with a noticeably different feel. Touching and gripping the composite leather surface feels firmer, with less buttery-soft give.

The Baden Elite still wic...
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Spalding NBA Official Game Ball
If you’ve never played with a real leather ball, let the Spalding NBA Official Game Ball be your introduction. The leather feels like a whole different beast than rubber or microfiber, but some players find they vastly prefer it to other materials.

I include this option in my top picks because...
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Molten X-Series GG7X Basketball
I first heard of the Molten X-series because it’s the official ball of FIBA, basketball’s global competition that includes the Olympics. You may not have encountered it much in the US, but this expertly crafted indoor ball is worth a shot (no pun intended!)

One unique feature of the Molten X-...
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Wilson NCAA Replica
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the best affordable indoor basketballs I’ve come across: the Wilson NCAA Replica. If you take a look at the prices of other options in this roundup, you’ll notice that some of the top indoor balls are relatively expensive for something you’ll never ...
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Spalding TF-1000 Classic Indoor Game Basketball
The Spalding TF-1000 takes the last spot on my roundup of the best indoor basketballs. This synthetic ball holds a nostalgic place in the heart of basketball enthusiasts around the world. It used to be one of the most common balls on and off professional courts, praised for its buttery feel, tactile...
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Overall, you can’t get a better bang for your buck than the Wilson Evolution Game Basketball. This ball comes with detailed craftsmanship, featuring deep channels covered in pebbling for the most dependable grip during intense play. It can take a beating through heavy matches and still bounce beautifully for many seasons. 

I’ll have to agree with the many coaches, gym teachers, and rec centers across the country who sing the Wilson Evolution’s praises. It’s a versatile ball with a plushy, grippy finish that’s comfortable for practically any indoor basketball player.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to some of the frequently asked questions regarding indoor basketballs:

Depending on the material, brand, and whether you’re using it indoors or outdoors, a basketball can cost anywhere from $15 to $150. An indoor basketball made of high-quality composite leather starts at $50.

Basketballs with tactile pebbling and moisture-wicking technology are most comfortable to grip. The Wilson Evolution is a consistent favorite basketball among professional and casual players for its grippy feel and plushy surface.

Indoor basketballs will not last as long when you bounce them on an outdoor court. Genuine or synthetic leather covers can crack, scuff, or split when it hits rough surfaces. 

You can buy indoor outdoor basketballs for versatile play if you’d like to bounce them in and out of the gym.

Choose a ball made of microfiber or leather. It should feel grippy but not sticky, and it shouldn’t slip out of your hand when you’re sweaty. 

Pick the right size ball for you. Children should use a 27.5” youth ball. Professional women’s basketball players use a 28.5” ball. Men over fifteen years old should use an Official Size 29.5” basketball. 

A good basketball has consistent, high bounce. It shouldn’t have deep or wide channels that make the bounce direction unpredictable.

Final Thoughts

Shooting on indoor hoops feels pretty glamorous when you’re used to dribbling outside. Likewise, there’s no need to bring the muddy ball from the park into the gym. 

Whether you’re inside for competitive games or practicing your jump shot, you’ll need the best indoor basketballs for the best indoor play.

Get out there, break in your new ball, and get to know your personal preferences as a player. The best basketball just feels right. You’ll know it when you bounce it!

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