Spalding Rookie Gear Soft Grip Basketball 27.5"

Put a ball in young hands that they can actually control. The Spalding Rookie Gear Soft Grip 27.5" is a size 5 youth basketball engineered around one goal: helping beginning players build real technique. Its Soft Grip Technology cover is easy to catch, palm, and shoot, and the ball is roughly 15% lighter than a standard youth ball so smaller athletes can develop proper form instead of muscling every shot. Sized right and weighted right, it's the ideal first ball for elementary PE classes, youth rec programs, and driveway practice.

Key features & specs

• Size 5, 27.5" circumference — the standard youth/intermediate size
• Soft Grip Technology cover for an easy, confident feel on catches and shots
• Approximately 15% lighter than a standard youth ball to develop technique
• Pebbled surface graphics for controlled grip and handling
• Built for both indoor and outdoor play
• Ships inflated and game-ready

Coach's tip: Perfect for ages 8 and under just learning to shoot with two hands transitioning to one — the lighter weight encourages correct shooting mechanics. Store at room temperature, wipe the cover clean with a damp cloth after outdoor use, and check inflation periodically with a needle and hand pump to keep it game-ready all season.