When you receive your Official NBA Game Ball, it will initially feel stiff and rough to the touch. Don’t worry— that is exactly how it’s supposed to feel.
The Official NBA Game Ball is made with genuine leather which means it will require some breaking in. If you are not used to breaking in your basketball, that means you’re probably used to playing with a composite ball.
Composite balls are made of synthetically produced material that feels like leather. Synthetic basketballs can be used on both indoor and outdoor surfaces. It is a matter of preference when selecting your preferred Wilson basketball. Different players have preferences for feel, softness, touch and moisture management.
Most composite basketballs can be used right out of the box or need minimal break-in, while the NBA Leather Game Ball will 100% need to be broken in— this nuance is part of what makes it special.
“Properly breaking-in an NBA Game Ball makes a world of a difference,” says Ben DeLaCruz, Sr. Product Line Manager for Performance Basketball & Partnerships. Ben has been at Wilson working on product for nearly 8 years.
“Over time the leather becomes soft with a feel that every hooper can appreciate, but you must put in the time to get it to that state. Every NBA Game Ball goes through this process before ever making it to tip-off.”
Why should I break in my leather game basketball?
Simply put, breaking in your leather basketball will give you better control and grip.
Check out our expert tips to break in your Official NBA Game Ballbelow.
Compare the difference in color and texture between a leather and composite ball:
Image fromleft to right: NBA Official Game Ball (leather),Authentic NBA Indoor/Outdoor Ball(composite)
So, what do I need to know about the leather basketball break-in process?
- Don’t be confused when your ball arrives stiff and rough to the touch— that is normal.
- Dribbling drills will help to speed up the break-in process.
- You will notice your ball start to darken as it becomes ready for gameplay.
- The more you play with the ball, the better it will start to feel.
Ready to break in your ball? Head to your nearest gymand use these two methods to speed up the break-in process:
1. Pound Dribbles
To pound dribble, stand with your knees slightly bent and dribble the ball with as much force as you can into the basketball court. The drill will help you practice controlling the ball while also breaking in the leather cover.
2. Get Shots Up
Producing oil and sweat from your hands while doing drills and playing with the ball is the real way to do it. The oils and sweat will darken the surface of the ball.
As the ball breaks in, it will be at peak performance when your hands are sweaty. It’s that in-game feel that you want to target— not necessarily how the ball feels pre-game.
Also, the only surface you should be breaking your ball in with is a hardwood floor— not concrete or some other hard surface. This ball is engineered to be played on an indoor basketball court only.
The NBA practices with their new leather basketballs for a couple of weeks before they are game ready, so don’t get disheartened if the process takes a bit longer than you expect. Your ball will slowly turn a dark brown shade as the leather starts to break in.
Compare the difference in color between anew leather ball (left) and abroken-in leather ball (right):
Remember that this is the OfficialNBA Game Ball. You want to make sure to take care of your ball over time for optimal performance.
Check out the video below for a step-by-step guide to breaking in your Official NBA Game Basketball.
To learn what basketball is right for you, click here.Check out our NBA Official Game Ball, and be sure to follow @wilsonbasketball to keep up with #TeamWilson!
Updated September 14, 2023
