In this article, we will be discussing what the pounds per square inch (psi) requirements are for NBA basketballs. In layman’s terms, psi is the amount of pressure in a ball, which affects its bounce, shape, and movement. According to the NBA, as stated in their rulebook, the official game basketball must contain somewhere between 7.5 and 8.5 pounds of pressure in order to be used.
Ball pressure is an extremely important factor of the game, as it can affect how high the ball bounces and where the ball bounces to. NBA players have become so dependent on these kinds of variables staying as consistent as possible that any volatility in ball pressure can disrupt their play dramatically.
Basketball League PSI Requirements
Now, you might assume that other basketball leagues, professional and collegiate, will have the same or similar requirements when it comes to their equipment standards, right? Wrong. In fact, some of the other more notable leagues don’t even have specific psi requirements for their game balls. This may sound irresponsible, but after looking at the table below, it may make more sense.
| Basketball League | PSI Requirements | Drop Height | Low Point | High Point |
| NBA | 7.5 – 8.5 psi | – | – | – |
| WNBA | 7 psi | |||
| NCAA Men | – | 6 ft. | 49 in. | 54 in. |
| NCAA Women | – | 6 ft. | 51 in. | 56 in. |
| FIBA | – | 1,800mm | 1,035mm | 1,085mm |
As you can see, FIBA and the NCAA for men and women have a more subjective way of determining the optimal ball pressure. This may seem unnecessary, but consider this: you are playing basketball with your friends outside in very cold weather. Before you left your house, you filled up your ball with 7.5 psi. When you get to the court, you start to shoot around and realize that the ball feels a bit deflated. It becomes tough to dribble properly, it’s not bouncing as much off of the rim, and the ball becomes tough to grip.
The biggest advantage of not having a fixed psi range is that it forces the officials to adjust the basketball pressure based on the environment that the game is being played in. Professional and collegiate basketball arenas are pretty well-regulated, so you won’t really see the extreme circumstances we mentioned above, but it serves as an example of why those regulations are implemented.
A cool video was made a few years back showing how different FIBA-approved balls require varying amounts of pressure in order to meet the league’s requirements (it’s also being done in suboptimal conditions, which has an affect on the psi needed).
Do Basketballs Have Recommended PSI?
Typically, basketball manufactures will included recommended psi ranges near the inflation hole on the ball. Before filling up your basketball, take a look and see what is suggested. If you want, you can also run one of the tests mentioned above to ensure that your ball is bouncing perfectly.