Nike, unlike Wilson or Spalding, does not create equipment exclusively for basketball. For this reason, Nike basketballs are not quite as popular among basketball pros and aficionados as the Wilson or Spalding. Basketball professionals may not quite swear by Nike balls, but they still have their own fan following, owing partly to their wide variety in snazzy designs and colors.

The Nike NBS 200, for example, is thought by many to be the best indoor basketball. It has a soft core that creates a bounce delightful to the basketball buff, especially on smooth, synthetic indoor courts. It is light and soft, and many players love the “throw” it affords. But the NBS 200 is not considered as durable as the Spalding basketball, since it loses it’s bounce after a few weeks of constant use.

What is good about Nike, though, is the sheer range it offers when it comes to colors and designs. Go to a website like Amazon.com, and it becomes clear at once. The Nike 1000 All courts Pearlized model is silver, with a shiny mirror-like surface. It is a good training ball, although not recommended for league matches or rough play. That does not stop basketball lovers from purchasing it, owing to it’s flashy looks. Amazon retails it for $23 (size 7). The Nike Lebron James All Courts basketball, on the other hand, is available in a combination of three colors: red, black and white. It sells for $25 on Amazon, though the price varies depending on the website and retailer.

The Nike 2000N Touch has a smooth, shiny appearance and retails for $40 on websites like SportDepot.com. The Nike Cage Grip, as the name suggests, has a meshed appearance, facilitating a better grip. SportsDepot retails it for $24. The Nike Shatter is available in a combination of three colors: red, white, and blue or black, red, and yellow. It has a rough appearance, owing to a grainy synthetic leather surface. It is good for both indoor and outdoor play, and costs around $30.

Nike also manufactures basketballs for outdoor play, like the Nike 1500. It is available in men’s (size 7) and women’s (size 6) NBA recommended dimensions.