NCAA Basketball Specifications

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Basketball is a fun game to play and to watch.  But there is a system behind it that has rules and regulations that most people do not see.

Rawlings Franchise Composite Leather Basketball


Sports have rules that are looked over and updated every year.  These rules even give listed out specifications for the equipment used for each sport. 

 I was recently thinking about what the specifications for an NCAA basketball are.  So I researched a little bit into the NCAA basketball specifications.  

What I found is that the best source to learn any of the rules or specifications for NCAA basketball is the NCAA official rule book.   This book can be downloaded for free in PDF format or purchased off of their website ncaa.org.  I chose to download it for free and dig into it.
Here are just a few of the specifications for an NCAA basketball which I found to be interesting.

  1. The balls color must match certain (PMS) colors.  For those who do not know (PMS) stands for Pantone Matching System it is a system that gives colors a unique number so that they can be easily matched.  The pantone colors are Orange 151, Red-Orange 173 or Brown 1535.  Your game basketball is one of these colors.
  2. The ball must have a deeply pebbled leather or composite cover.  So you can use Rawlings RSS or RWW leather basketballs as well as a composite.
  3. The channels on the ball should not exceed ¼”.  
  4. Here is a good one: “When dribbled vertically, without rotation, the ball shall return directly to the dribbler’s hand.” I am glad they mentioned that one!  It’s almost magical!
  5. A couple interesting rules under ball specifications is that the home team shall provide a ball that meets the specifications.  It also gives the referee the right to judge the legality of the ball and the ability to select a ball provided by the visiting team.  Also at the bottom of the specifications there is a note that says it is recommended that the home team provide the visiting team with warm up balls of the same type as the game ball.

So now you know a little bit about the specifications you better find a good ball so that you won’t look like a dummy on game day.  What ball is good for regular season NCAA play?  I would suggest the Rawling’s Franchise Composite Leather Basketball.  After all Rawlings has been making basketballs since 1902.  The Rawlings Franchise uses an ultra high-end RX Pro Comp Microfiber cover.  So it does have a composite cover which meets the NCAA specifications.  It has an 8 panel design which I did not mention above but that is also in the NCAA basketball specifications.  

The Franchise has deep skived channels for maximum grip but they are still within that ¼” width rule.  The Rawlings Franchise is a good choice because it happens to be the official ball of the NJCAA Men’s and NAIA championships.  The Rawlings Franchise not only meets the NCAA spec’s but also the NFHS specifications.

So now you know some NCAA basketball specifications and where to look in case you want to check out more.  I also gave you a good example of what a good NCAA approved ball is.

If you are looking to buy a Rawlings Franchise or any basketball products go to www.morleyathletic.com.

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