When looking you must realize that all basketball are different. Some are made of rubber, some of plastic, and some of leather. Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages. Rubber is the cheapest, but loses out in other categories. Plastic looks the best, best wears out easily. Leather is superior to the other two, but costs the most.

The Spalding NBA Zi/O is a great basketball that can be used indoors and outdoors. It is highly rated a like by most. This ball is my favorite for indoors because of it’s feel, leather and ok pricing at 35$. It bounces great and I like the feel better than more expensive basketballs. It is very durable indoors, but wears out quickly outdoors.

The Spalding NBA Street Basketball is what I would recommend for outdoor use. It is rubber so it will last a lot longer outdoors than leather, but therefore is much harder on the hands. It stays inflated quite well. It is prices low at aprox. 15$. It has great grip and bounces well being the perfect outdoor ball. This is the ball was made for outdoor use and is the ball to get for outdoor use.

I would stay away from all plasticky basketballs, unless you want them for show. They just do not have the feel of a normal basketball. They do not bounce right. They always seem heavy and get slippery when sweaty. They are just not meant to be player with, but do make great gifts to coaches and others.

Other factors are what type of hoops you are playing at. If you are going to a park with a chain basketball net, you might want to think differently about what type of basketball you get. The basketball and net combo go together. rubber is a necessity for a metal net. Leather and plastic will just get ripped up. Another factor is if you always have access to a gym, it might be worth investing in a more expensive basketball. The last factor is you. Everyone is different. Some like there basketballs softer and some like it harder, so just go with what feels most comfortable for yourself.