Do You Store a Basketball Full of Air or Deflated in a Closet?

The game of basketball was invented by an American named James Naismith in 1891. Since then, it has gained popularity not only in the United States but also in many countries around the world. Considering the turnout of viewers during NBA games, it is likely that many households in the United States have a basketball for recreational purposes. Adults and children alike can play basketball on a regular basketball court or on a makeshift hoop in their backyard. One of the most neglected questions is the storage method related to basketballs.

  1. Storing and Caring for Your Basketball

    • If the basketball will not be used for a long time, it may be deflated---which makes it smaller---and stored in your closet; however, if you regularly play basketball, it is recommended to keep the basketball full of air and stored indoors. Leaving your basketball outside can expose it to direct sunlight, cold weather, heavy rains and other elements. This can degrade the quality of your basketball, resulting in loss of air pressure or lumps on the ball's surface. The ball should be regularly checked to ensure it has the right amount of air. The right amount of air will enable the ball to bounce at its prescribed height.

    How Much Air Should Be in Your Basketball?

    • Basketballs commonly have instructions as to how much air pressure should be applied to the ball to attain its recommended inflation. During manufacturing of the balls, they are tested by dropping them from a height of 72 inches. When the balls attain a rebound height of 49 to 54 inches, the air pressure used to attain this height will be printed on the ball. The instructions usually state something similar to: "Inflate to 7 to 9 lbs." An air pressure of 8 lbs. per square inch is generally sufficient to get the ball to its proper bounce.

    Caring for Autographed and Souvenir Basketballs

    • Autographed and souvenir basketballs are usually not meant to be played with, but rather to be kept and displayed in remembrance of a favorite player, game or event. These are kept full of air and sometimes housed in display glasses to showcase the autograph and maintain its quality. Depending on the popularity of the player, game or event, autographed or souvenir basketballs can cost up to several thousand dollars. Unlike regular basketballs, autographed ones should not be deflated, as they can potentially cause a warping of the signature.

    Basketball Design and Construction

    • The basketball is composed of the outside coating and the inside bladder. The outside surface is made of leather, rubber or composites, while the inside bladder is made of butyl rubber with nylon or polyester fibers. A regular basketball has an orange color, and has a circumference of 30 inches with a diameter of 9.6 inches. Smaller balls are usually designed for high school players and women's leagues.