{
  "id": 13161333,
  "title": "The NBA is testing ‘smart’ basketballs. Here’s how they work",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/the-nba-is-testing-smart-basketballs-heres-how-they-work",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T16:11:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91620794/the-nba-is-testing-smart-basketballs-heres-how-they-work"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the evolving landscape of technology, it seems fitting that basketballs are now becoming \"smart\" as well. During the NBA preseason this year, connected basketballs were put to the test in select games. Alongside these innovative balls, wrist wearables were also provided to the officiating crew to track various aspects such as replay reviews and scoring changes. However, it is crucial to note that the data captured by these balls will not be utilized during the games. The NBA emphasizes that the data is merely used for testing purposes, ensuring that players do not notice whether they are using a \"smart\" basketball or a regular one. Tom Ryan, the NBA's head of basketball research and development, explains that they have implemented a blind study for this purpose, allowing players to provide feedback on whether the technology alters the ball's feel or performance. Wilson Sporting Goods, the company responsible for designing the smart basketball, collaborated closely with the league to integrate sensing technology while maintaining the ball's performance, feel, and consistency. The ball's Bluetooth sensor is discreetly placed in the air valve, adding only one gram to the ball's overall weight. The NBA initially tested the smart basketball during the 2025-26 G League season and the 2026 NBA Summer League. The technology relies on transmitting data to antennas strategically placed around the arena, providing real-time measurements for factors like acceleration. This data is then combined with video and other sources to develop models for real-time officiating. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver envisions AI-assisted officiating, which could potentially automate calls such as out-of-bounds and determining possession of the ball. However, this advanced officiating system is not without its controversies. An incident from a World Cup match between Croatia and Portugal highlights the potential impact of AI-assisted refereeing, where a goal disallowed by the ball's sensors upset the Croatian coach, Zlatko Dalić. The NBA's focus during the preseason testing is to ensure that the sensored basketball performs identically to the official NBA game ball. The testing includes gathering feedback from players and team personnel, which provides valuable real-time impact data from live game actions. This data aids in building more accurate and reliable models for potential future use in officiating. Although the smart basketballs and wearables will not be used in the regular season, the preseason pilot offers the NBA crucial data on the technology's effectiveness. Initial feedback from players during the Summer League tests indicated that they could not tell the difference between the connected basketball and a standard one. If the Bluetooth-enabled basketballs prove successful, it could lead to their wider adoption in the future, potentially transforming the way fans experience the game, even if it means occasionally directing their frustration towards a bot rather than a human official.",
  "summary": "In a world where everything from refrigerators to toothbrushes can be connected , perhaps it’s unsurprising that smart basketballs are now in the mix. In this year’s NBA preseason, connected basketballs could be coming to a court near you. This week, the NBA announced it’s experimenting with smart basketballs during select preseason games. (It will also distribute wrist wearables to the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}