GoKawiilNBA preseason trials smart basketballs with embedded sensors
The NBA is testing basketballs fitted with a tiny sensor, about one gram, built into the ball's air valve during preseason games. The sensor is reportedly undetectable to players during play.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Embedding sensors directly in game balls could let teams and broadcasters capture detailed data on shot spin, speed and trajectory without altering play, which may eventually feed into analytics, officiating aids, or fan-facing broadcast graphics. Whether the NBA adopts this beyond preseason testing remains unclear, and wider use could raise questions about data ownership and standardization across arenas.
- A sensor weighing about a gram is embedded in the ball's air valve
- The technology is being trialed during NBA preseason games
- Players reportedly cannot perceive any difference in ball feel
Wilson NBA Smart Basketball — This is the connected basketball technology that inspired the NBA's sensor-equipped balls, tracking shot arc, spin, and makes/misses in real time via Bluetooth. It's a great way for hoops fans to train like the pros using the same kind of smart feedback the league is now testing.
See Wilson NBA Smart Basketball on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: fastcompany.com, 2026-10-09
Published there as: “The NBA is testing ‘smart’ basketballs. Here’s how they work”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.