What You'll Learn In This Post

Reasons for choosing the correct size ball and rim

The correct size ball to choose

The correct size hoop to choose

Basketball Sizes

The NBA has specified basketball sizes for men’s, women’s, and junior league games, and also unofficial games for children and youth. These NBA size specifications are the guidelines to help you choose the right ball for yourself or your children.

The official size of the basketball used by the NBA is 29.5 inches in circumference. That's the same size used throughout men's college and high school basketball leagues. The WNBA uses a slightly smaller ball, measuring 28.5 inches in circumference. Women use this ball from 9-years-old and up.

Boys in middle school (ages 12 and up) use a 29.5-inch ball. For anyone, male or female, between the ages of nine and 11, a ball size of 28.5 inches in circumference is recommended.Boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 8 should use a basketball between the sizes of 22 inches and 25.5 inches in circumference.

An NBA basketball is inflated to a pressure of 7.5 to 8.5 PSI and the WNBA uses the same regulations. The NCAA, inflation requirements are given in weight instead of PSI, with the men's ball having a maximum weight of 22 ounces and the women's ball having a maximum weight of 20 ounces.

RIM Height

The proper rim heights will not only make it easier for a child to score a basket, it will also assist in your child's basketball development. No matter how tall a rim is, a child should still show proper shooting form to make a basket.

When a younger child uses a 10-foot rim, their shooting form is likely to unravel since the child is simply throwing the basketball as hard as he or she can. This is similar to a half-court heave an adult might attempt. Its fun to try, but your shooting mechanics go out the window. Also, seeing the ball go through the hoop, which is much more likely to happen on a shorter rim, adds confidence and makes the game more fun, no matter your age.

The recommended heights for basketball goals are the same for male and female. For professional basketball all the way down to 6th grade the goal is 10-feet. For 5th grade, the goal should be placed at 9-feet. And for the 3rd and 4th grade(8 to 10 years-old) 8-foot rims. Lastly 6-foot rims for kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades.

ARE YOU READY TO BECOME A GREAT SHOOTER?

So, if you really want to try to adapt the game to your children's physical abilities (or physical inabilities, as the case may be), I recommend that you follow these recommendations for basketball size and rim height.