In a hurry? If you quickly want to know my choice for the best youth basketball, then I would recommend the Wilson Evolution Youth Basketball.
Basketball is a sport most kids are introduced to at a very early stage of their lives. It is also a way for kids to enjoy things outside of just using their tablets all day.
It is often recommended that young players shouldn’t play with standard basketball, which is why they will most likely use a smaller ball during these years.
Smaller basketballs give confidence to young players as they can learn shooting and ball-handling skills and other basic skills needed to become great basketball players.
If you want your young kids to enjoy this sport early in life, you’d want a leather ball perfect for indoor or outdoor play.
The only problem is plenty of rubber basketballs on the market today. In this article, I will look at the following best youth basketball for young kids and teenagers.
- Wilson Evolution Game Basketball
- Spalding Rookie Gear Indoor/Outdoor Basketball
- Eco Sports Indoor Basketballs Vegan Basketball Leather
- Mikasa BX1000 Premium Rubber Basketball
- Champion Sports Official Heavy Duty Rubber Cover Nylon Basketballs
5 Best Youth Basketballs To Get For Kids
Here are the five best youth basketballs for your kids to have them start playing immediately. Check out my detailed review below.
1. Wilson Evolution Game Basketball – Best Overall
Features:
- NFHS-Approved
- Premium EVO Microfiber Composite Cover Provides Grip
- Composite Channels for a Consistent Feel
The Wilson Evolution Game Basketball is arguably the best youth basketball available today. It simply is a cut above the rest when it comes to quality.
One of its standout features is its Evo Microfiber Cover, which adds to the overall durability of the rubber ball. In addition, it provides a good grip and is perfect for indoor and outdoor use.
No matter how you look at this leather ball, it is the right basketball to pick for young kids to start enhancing the basics of playing basketball.
This basketball is also often used in youth leagues.
It’s made of faux leather, which is extremely durable. Leather basketballs have never been this good. It is safe to say younger children will have an easier time using these than most basketballs for kids.
Its durable rubber cover and materials make this the best out of all the good basketballs that I have checked out.
Pros
- Great for indoor and outdoor courts
- It bounces consistently
- Deep channels provide a better grip
- Right size for younger kids
- Made of good quality synthetic leather
Cons
- Not the cheapest
2. Spalding Rookie Gear Indoor/Outdoor Basketball – Best Value
Features:
- Made of Composite Durable Material
- Designed for Indoor and Outdoor Play
- 15% Lighter Than Most Youth Basketballs
The Spalding Rookie Gear, Indoor – Outdoor Composite ball play is the best basketball for kids who want to develop their basketball skills early.
One of the best features I like about this product is its lightweight design.
Not many kids are adaptable to varying basketball sizes, so having a light one can have proper hand positioning due to their hand size.
Also, another feature that makes this product one of the best basketballs on my list is it feels soft and comfortable.
This feature is essential, especially for the younger generation learning to handle the ball.
While it’s not the proper ball most leagues are using, it is safe to say that it can be played for both indoor and outdoor games, which makes this product versatile and effective, especially when dealing with rough surfaces.
Overall, genuine leather balls always bring something to the table. If you want your kids to start playing basketball early in their lives, this youth-size basketball is one of the better composite basketballs.
Pros
- Excellent grip
- It has a good bounce to it
- Made of composite leather for added durability
- Great for outdoor and indoor play
Cons
- Some kids may not fancy the color
- May feel a bit too rubbery at times
3. Eco Sports Indoor Basketballs Vegan Basketball Leather – Best Budget
Features:
- Made of Faux Leather Material
- Tacky & Water Resistant
- Eco-Friendly
Being short on a budget doesn’t mean you can still get one of the better leather balls on the market today. The Eco Sports Indoor Basketballs Vegan Leather got you covered!
This youth basketball is not your average genuine leather ball because it is made of faux leather material known for being durable and can withstand the test of time.
I highly suggest this one if you want to play basketball but are on a tight budget. It is a great indoor ball because it provides a good grip and feel.
Also, this youth-size basketball is great for the price. You can’t beat this one in terms of price point as it has all the qualities of some of the best basketballs but on a cheaper note.
Nevertheless, it’s an excellent ball for indoor use. You can’t find this type of ball with such features at a more affordable rate. It is safe to say it is one of the best basketball for kids for the price.
Pros
- Great grip
- Good basketball size for kids
- It feels pretty durable
- Deep channels
- Good bounce
Cons
- Not the best ball feel
- You need to use a damp cloth to wipe away dust constantly
4. Mikasa BX1000 Premium Rubber Basketball
Features:
- Made of Premium Outdoor Rubber
- Wide Channels for Better Grip
- Designed for Outdoor Games
Mikasa is a well-known brand for making high-quality basketballs. The Mikasa BX1000 Premium Rubber Basketball is one of their best-selling basketball for kids.
One of its amazing features is that the product is great for outdoor use, making it durable enough to play on different surfaces.
While it isn’t the best choice for basketball leagues, it is the type of basketball for kids that wants to play in playgrounds, outdoor hoops, and streets.
The only problem I have experienced is that the ball is made of rubber and not composite material, which means it doesn’t feel as great on the hands as other more premium basketballs.
Still, it is not a deal breaker considering its price. For the price, you get the right ball for your kids who love playing anywhere. It is durable and reliable enough to stand the test of time.
Pros
- Offers good grip
- Extremely durable and rugged
- Made specifically for the outdoors, but can be used indoors as well
- Superb shape retention
- Great for outdoor basketball play
Cons
- No air pump included
- Not made of composite leather
5. Champion Sports Official Heavy Duty Rubber Cover Nylon Basketballs
Features:
- Rubber Composite Cover for All Types of Court
- 2-Ply Butyl Bladder for Superior Air Retention
- Heavy-Duty Construction
For indoors and outdoors, the Champion Sports Official Heavy Duty Rubber Cover Nylon Basketball is a tested and proven youth basketball for many reasons.
One, this youth ball is made of rubber which is quite common in these youth sizes range. It is durable and is a good option if you don’t have the money to buy the Wilson basketball.
Still, this ball is a great starter for kids of all ages. It has a good size and feels, wherein kids can quickly develop their handling and shooting skills.
While it is not one of the best basketballs for kids, it is more than enough to get them started.
And once you have the budget for the Wilson or the Spalding rookie gear indoor outdoor composite indoor balls, you can eventually get those.
Pros
- Great ball feel
- Very affordable and reliable
- Good starter ball for kids
- Durable and with a good grip
- Great for both indoors and outdoors
Cons
- It needs to get pumped all the time
What Should You Consider When Choosing A Youth-Size Basketball?
If you are looking for the best youth basketball to buy for your kids, then you should definitely consider the following factors I have listed below to get the right ball for their developmental needs.
Durability
If they play with the ball daily, you’d want something durable enough to withstand it.
You’d want a ball made of composite leather as they are known to be incredibly durable and lightweight.
However, the best way to know if a ball is durable is to check its stitching, firmness, and other factors to ensure your kids will play with them longer than expected.
Find a ball made of either synthetic leather or faux leather. These are durable and lightweight materials suitable for kids of all ages.
Size and Weight
You want to find a ball appropriate for your kids’ age. If they are playing with a bigger ball, it can be hard to adapt to the size.
On the other hand, playing with a mini ball might stunt their development as it’s not the appropriate size for their age.
Whenever you go looking for a ball, look for their respective sizes. You can look it up on the label. It can go from 3 being the smallest up to 7, wherein the highest is the official ball size for professional basketball players.
You can read my article about basketball size guide if you don’t know the appropriate ball size for your child’s age.
Grip
No matter what size of basketball you have, it will always have a feel to it. You’d want something that has an amazing grip.
If you closely watch the ball’s outer shell, you will find its texture is somewhat grainy and consists of tiny bumps called pebbles.
These pebbles are the reason behind a ball’s grip. So, having a good texture means having a good grip. It is one of the most important factors when buying a ball.
So, it would be best to try it physically to get a good feel of the ball and whether it has the grip you want.
Indoor or Outdoor
There are certain balls specifically made for indoors and ones for outdoors. Fortunately, almost all youth basketballs are made for indoor and outdoor use, so you no longer have to question whether a ball is only good outdoors or indoors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you have additional questions regarding kid’s basketballs, you might find some of the answers I’ve listed down below.
Does the Basketball Material Matter?
Yes! It matters because it is one of the key components of how long the ball will last. Like most products, when premium materials are used, they can be used far longer than any other products that use cheap materials.
So, what you need to find in the ball is leather or rubber. Both these materials are notable for how crazy durable they are, especially when made into basketballs.
How Can You Tell the Quality of a Basketball?
Although you can tell the quality of the ball based on the company that made it, the best way to tell if it’s good quality is to get a hold of it and feel it with your hands.
Most of the time, good-quality balls feel firm and grippy. You can also see it in your eye if it is made of either rubber or leather materials. Both materials are known to be used when making balls.
How Durable Are Basketballs?
Rubber balls are always made with rubber materials, making them durable for everyday use.
However, like most products, their durability depends on how much you use them.
So, the more you use them, their durability will be tested. But if you use them sparingly, they will last longer than expected.
Still, the longevity of youth balls depends on how much your kid will be playing in them.
Conclusion
Basketball is a sport that should be introduced to your kids at an early age. It is one of the best ways to put technology away and sweat it out outside your home.
Instead of your kids playing video games and having a long screen time during their day, basketball can be a great form of bonding and transitioning to a healthy lifestyle, as it keeps their hearts pumping.
Nevertheless, this article of mine should give you plenty of options on the best youth basketballs for your kids.