FIBA vs NBA ball: Dimensions, weight, and more compared

Team USA will be sending the best NBA players to the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, which will be contested under FIBA rules. Basketball's governing body has a set of rules that have some differences from those used by the biggest basketball league in the world.

One of them is the ball itself, which plays an important role in the adjustment of NBA players. The league's official basketball is manufactured by Wilson made from genuine leather and used by every team during the game and in practices.

Meanwhile, FIBA-sanctioned competitions like the Olympics and the World Cup use a basketball made by Molten, specifically the MOLTEN B7G5000, which was introduced in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. It's also made from genuine leather but has two colors – orange and ivory.

Apart from the manufacturer, the FIBA and NBA have rules regarding the size of the basketball. The circumference can be from 749 mm to 780 mm, while the weight should be at least 567 grams or won't exceed 650 grams.

As for the NBA, they use a ball with a circumference of 749.3-755.65 mm measured from the spherical line in the middle. Another circumference range is from 752.5-758.8 mm measured in the surface of the ball. The weight of the ball should be exactly 623.7 grams, which is inside FIBA's range.

During their training camp in Las Vegas, Team USA has been using the Molten B7G5000 to get a feel for it and get used to it once they start Olympic play.

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Other differences in NBA and FIBA rules

Eleven sets of rules are different between the NBA and FIBA, including playing time and shot clock among others.

Here are the rules to be used in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics:

• Playing Time: 10 minutes per quarter, five minutes per overtime period.
• Shot Clock: 24 seconds, resets to 14 seconds after offensive rebound.
• 3-Point Line: 6.75 m at the top of the key and elbow, 6.60 m on the baseline.
• Timeouts: 2 in the first half, 3 in the second half but turns into 2 in the final two minutes of the game, 1 per overtime period.
• Jump ball and alternating possession: The losing team in jump ball at the start of the game gets the next possession arrow if another jump ball occurs, alternating possession for all subsequent jump ball situations.
• Fouls: A player is disqualified after 5 fouls.
• Penalty/Bonus Free Throws: 2 free throws for every defensive foul after the 4th team foul.
• Technical Foul: 1 free throw and possession.
• Basket Interference: Any player can strike the ball once it hits the rim.
• Zone Defense: Legal under FIBA rules.
• Player Numbers: 00, 0 and 1 to 99.