The basketball has not changed much over the last three thousand years since the Mexicans were throwing rubber balls through slabs of stone.
Back then they used to fill them with sacred plants.
The modern air-filled ball are still made of rubber but leather and synthetic material are also used.
The circumference of a full-sized ball should be between 75-78 centimetres and must be blown up to weigh between 567-650 grammes.
Smaller balls are sometimes more fun to play and good for skills training - but cannot be used in competitions.
MMIX
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