Finally, we considered one of the more important factors for ballers everywhere — grip and feel. The Under Armour, Wilson Replica and Spalding Indoor/Outdoor all felt substandard compared to the other balls in this area. hours later, we returned to the balls and measured the PSI levels on each, noting how much pressure was lost during the duration. Most balls started around 6-7 PSI. The second selling point of the Spalding TF-1000 basketball is the wide channel design. It is well-made, absorbent, and reduces instances of slipping even in less-than-favorable playing conditions. In our opinion, these two factors are the most significant determinants of why you should choose the Spalding TF-1000 basketball. Is TF-1000 Basketball Worth the Money?

Sex considerations: The WNBA ball is sized down slightly from the regulation NBA size, at 30.7 inches, and is considered a size 6 by traditional ball measurement standards. The regulation NCAA/NBA basketball, on the other hand, is considered a size 7. So for the same reasons as above, you should be shooting with the ball that makes sense for you. You should age up a balls size with the kid, and if you can afford it, an adjustable hoop as well. This best mimics a real basketball environment and will actually allow them to develop skills that will follow them as they grow. Although we didn’t test youth-sized balls specifically, most of the balls we tested come in smaller sizes. However, it turns out inconsistencies like this come at a detriment to the shooter, as trying to get your fingers aligned with the seams on the ball with a design like that would be problematic as a method of generating a consistent shooting touch.

Spalding TF 1000 Classic Basketball Grip & Bounce

If your game finds itself outside with frequency, the Molten is also a great option, providing durability and flexibility on all court conditions. It’s also the Olympic standard — literally. However, these balls are still just general fits. If you’re buying a ball for a child, look for smaller options. And if your league uses a different ball, we suggest you go with that. To test their ability to endure the elements, we left the eight balls in the middle of our unshaded yard in the heat of San Diego summer. Before doing so we tested and recorded the PSI levels on each, set to the recommended levels each company recommended. And then we waited. Another evidence of the Spalding TF-1000’s durability is that you will hardly see marks such as punctures or scratches on its cover. Some may not like that type of firmness for the cover, but that’s just a testament that this ball is built to last. With its long-term reliability, the Spalding TF-1000 can be used occasionally as an outdoor basketball. Now, that’s not recommended, and it will eventually eat up into its life span, but if you don’t have a choice, this ball can hold its own even in an outdoor setting.

It lost a solid amount of air in our PSI test, but not enough to warrant looking away from its low price tag. After all, that price also includes a pump (unlike any other ball), so even if it does lose some air, you’re in a perfect position to reinflate it with no extra cost. Other great basketballs we testedTo start, we questioned the group about how much the grooves on balls matter. The Under Armour ball we tested came fresh with a cool looking, bright orange Under Armour logo inscribed on its exterior. Age considerations: You’ve probably seen videos of little kids pushing all of their weight into an oversized basketball at a way-too-tall rim. As professional shooting coach James Pauley told us, this is one of the worst things you can do for a kid’s shooting form, as nothing about launching all of your might into a ball makes sense for the long term. The first selling point of the Spalding TF 1000 is its durability. This is important because if you can use the ball longer, the more time and money will be saved in the long run. Whether you are a serious basketball player or a recreational one, you won’t like the hassle of changing balls every now and then just because it has already worn out after a couple of months. On the other hand, the strengths of the Spalding TF-1000 can also be a cause for complaint. Its hard cover may be too firm for your liking, which means you have to be patient and break the ball in before it feels what it’s supposed to feel.