Alright, so you wanna know if them WNBA basketballs are smaller than the NBA ones, huh? Well, lemme tell ya, it ain’t rocket science.
The Size Difference: WNBA vs. NBA Balls

Yep, they sure are different. Them fellas in the NBA, they use a size 7 ball. Big ol’ thing, gotta be. But the gals in the WNBA, they use a size 6. Now, what’s that mean? Well, it means the WNBA ball is smaller, see? It’s about an inch smaller all around. The NBA one is like, 29.5 inches around, and the WNBA one is just 28.5 inches. Not a whole lot, but you can feel it, ya know? And it’s a bit lighter too. The NBA ball weighs about 22 ounces, and the WNBA one is only 20 ounces. Like holdin’ a slightly smaller, lighter apple, I reckon.
- NBA ball: Size 7, about 29.5 inches around, 22 ounces
- WNBA ball: Size 6, about 28.5 inches around, 20 ounces
Why the Difference? Well, It Ain’t About the Rims or the Court
Now, some folks might think, “Oh, maybe the hoops are smaller in the WNBA?” Nope. The rims are the same height – 10 feet up in the air, just like in the NBA. And the court? Same size too, mostly. Only thing different about the court is that three-point line. The WNBA one is a little closer, like them fellas playin’ in them international games. But the ball itself? That’s smaller for the ladies.
It’s Got to Do With the Hands, You See
So why the smaller ball? Well, it’s kinda common sense, if you think about it. Most of them gals ain’t as big as them NBA fellas, right? They got smaller hands. So, a smaller ball is just easier to handle, easier to shoot, easier to dribble. Makes sense, don’t it? It’s all about makin’ the game work for the players. Can’t expect ’em to play with a ball that’s too big for their hands, now can ya?

But It’s Still Basketball, Don’t You Forget It!
Now, some folks might say, “Oh, it’s a smaller ball, so it ain’t real basketball.” Don’t you listen to that nonsense! Them WNBA gals are athletes, just like the fellas. They work hard, they train hard, and they play hard. The ball might be a little smaller, but the game is still basketball. It’s still about skill, teamwork, and heart. And them ladies got plenty of heart, let me tell ya.
So, there you have it. The WNBA ball is smaller than the NBA ball. It’s about an inch smaller and a couple of ounces lighter. And that’s just to make it easier for the gals to play their best game. It ain’t nothin’ more complicated than that. It’s just common sense, plain and simple.
In Short: The WNBA uses a smaller ball because it fits better in the players’ hands, leading to better control and shooting. It’s about making the game fair and letting the athletes perform at their best. Both leagues have the same heart of basketball but adapted for the physical characteristics of the players. Now, ain’t that something?
Tags: WNBA, NBA, basketball size, basketball differences, women’s basketball, sports equipment, ball circumference, ball weight
