Skip to main content

Link to Smithsonian homepage

Smithsonian Music

Main menu

  • Calendar
  • Listen
  • Learn
    • Ask Smithsonian
    • Collections Spotlights
    • Music Stories
  • Watch
  • Blog

Synthetic Basketball

Object Details

Description (Brief)
For the 2006-2007, the NBA introduced a new ball design into the league. This was the first change to the ball since 1970, when they switched from a four-panel to the eight-panel construction. This ball is made from a microfiber composite designed to give a better grip and feel than the leather ball. This particular ball was used by the Washington Wizards but only for half the season. The response from the Wizard players, as well as most other players around the league, was a resounding, “Bring back the old leather ball!” Although the new ball was tested by both Spalding and the NBA and was found to be more consistent than the leather ball, the players didn’t like the “feel” of the new ball. Many complained of a different bounce and the synthetic material cutting their hands. So in the middle of the 2006-2007 season, the NBA recalled the new ball and replaced it with the old leather standard..
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Museum of American History
maker
Spalding & Evenflo Companies
date made
2006
Physical Description
synthetic (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 8 1/2 in; x 21.59 cm
Object Name
basketball

Featured In

  • Basketball: Smithsonian's Got Game
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Link to Smithsonian homepage

  • About
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
Back to Top