Hoops Fiend Rating
Bounce: [usr 3.5]
Grip: [usr 4]
Style: [usr 4]
Durability: [usr 4]
Value: [usr 4]
Overall: [usr 4.35]
Key Features
- Official NBA size, 29.5 inches
- Features NBA player graphic of Kevin Durant
- Painted in Golden State Warriors colors
- Premium outdoor rubber cover
Review
Spalding has long been known as the standard for basketballs, basketball hoops, and accessories. They have been making quality basketball products since 1876 and have almost 150 years of experience behind them. Offering the best gear for both professionals and casual players, they have earned their place at the top. As the official basketball of the NBA, they have quite the reputation to uphold. This NBA Player Basketball holds up to that standard well.
Usually, a basketball that is decorated with a team logo or colors can look and feel cheap. That isn’t the case with this one. The Spalding premium outdoor rubber cover gives you great grip and durability for prolonged outdoor use. It measures in with standard NBA (high school and up) measurements at 29.5 inches and weight as well at about 22 ounces. It has standard seams around the ball, so nothing revolutionary as far as extra grip for palming the ball goes.
Design
The colors on the ball are vibrant and the player picture is clear, realistic, and well designed. Kevin Durant’s signature sits next to his name and photo with the Golden State Warriors logo also on the center of the ball. On the back, the Spalding logo is placed in the blue and yellow team colors of the Warriors with #35 Kevin Durant written below it. Any Warriors fan or KD fan will love the personality that this ball brings to the game.
Quality
Physically, the NBA Player Basketball from Spalding is a decent ball for outdoor play. Although it is the standard size for play, it is best suited for outdoor pickup games and not competitive indoor basketball. The premium rubber cover helps keep the ball well-inflated but playing outdoors does tend to deflate a ball faster than indoor play. The ball has a pretty good bounce, but the rubber cover and inner contents limit it a bit from having exceptional bounce. Although you can expect the ball itself to last for a long time, the painted picture and coloring may fade slightly from playing outdoors on abrasive surfaces. This is no flaw of the ball itself, just normal wear and tear on the materials.
Who Should Buy This Basketball
This basketball makes a great gift for the Warrior’s fan in your life and is much better quality than some of the “arcade prize” basketballs that you will find decorated with team colors. Since this basketball is made by Spalding you know that decades of research and testing have made them one of the world’s best at making a great ball and that is reflected here. The quality and style of this ball make it a great choice. It’s regulation size and durable cover make it perfect for playing a pickup game and its high-quality look makes it great to display in a sports room in your home and show your team spirit. All around, it isn’t the filet of basketballs, but it looks great and is perfect for casual play.
Pros:
- Excellent decoration; The Kevin Durant player decal and Warriors logo and colors make it very appealing
- Durable outdoor cover: The rubber cover makes the ball perfect for playing outside and allows it to last
- Regulation size: Since this ball is regulation size and weight, you can practice outside with a fun ball that is the right size for competitive play
Cons:
- Nothing fancy: This ball doesn’t bring anything fancy like increased grip or waved seams like some newer basketballs on the market
- Decal fading: Since the ball is for outdoor use, you can expect the decal to fade some after playing on rough surfaces