Spalding Junior Basketball

NBA Junior Outdoor Basketball

This junior outdoor basketball is endorsed by the NBA, so you know it has to be good--it's even signed by NBA Commissioner David Stern. We found it to have superlative grip and just the right amount of bounce for outdoor action. This premium Spalding ball has a durable rubber cover that is designed to last through all the dribbling, lay-ups, and slam dunks you can dish out. The size 6 (28.5 inches) basketball is ideal for players ages 9 to 12.

The history of basketball dates back to December 21, 1891, when Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, introduced the game as a way to keep his students active indoors during the winter. Originally played at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, the game quickly gained popularity. Naismith wrote down 13 basic rules and tacked up a peach basket onto the elevated track, and basketball was born. Initially, it was a simple game aimed to throw a soccer ball into the opposing team's peach basket. As the game evolved, so did the rules and equipment; the peach baskets were replaced by hoops with backboards, and a soccer ball was replaced with a spalding ball. Professional leagues like the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States were eventually founded, and the game became a global phenomenon, played in more than 200 countries today. Women's basketball also gained recognition over the years, with leagues like the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) providing a platform for female athletes. Basketball has grown into a sport that is loved worldwide, played both professionally and recreationally, and even featuring in the Olympic Games.