How to Break in a Leather NBA Basketball

In the first game of basketball, played more than a hundred years ago, two peach baskets were used as the goals and the players used a soccer ball. Since James Naismith invented the game, basketball has come a long way -- and so have the basketballs used to play the game. Today, basketballs are made from a variety of synthetic materials, as well as durable, full-grain leather, which is what NBA basketballs are made of. You can bounce, shoot and dribble your way into breaking in an NBA leather basketball.

Things You'll Need

  • Leather conditioner
  • Lint-free cloth or sponge
  • Indoor basketball court
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pour about an ounce of leather conditioner onto the cloth or sponge and rub it into the ball. Allow it to dry overnight. Using leather conditioner helps to speed up the breaking in process.

    • 2

      Find an indoor basketball court to break in your leather NBA ball.

    • 3

      Practice various skills with the leather ball, such as passing, dribbling and shooting. At first, the ball may feel slippery or stiff. Break the ball in in this way for several hours a day for at least two weeks.

    • 4

      Note changes in the ball as you break it in. Once broken in, the ball will feel softer and less slippery, allowing for better ball handling.