You know, folks been askin’ if that WNBA basketball is smaller than the one them NBA boys use. Well, I heard some things, and I’ll tell ya what I know. It ain’t rocket science, but it’s somethin’ to chew on.
Them WNBA girls, they play with a smaller ball. Yep, it’s true. It’s like this, see. They got these sizes, like size 6 and size 7. The girls, they use that size 6. It’s a tad smaller, ya know? Easier to handle, I reckon. And it don’t weigh as much neither. I heard it’s about 20 of them ounces. That’s what they say, anyhow.
Now, the NBA fellas, they use the bigger one, the size 7. It’s a bit heavier, ’bout 22 ounces, they say. They’re bigger guys, most of ’em, so I guess they can handle it just fine. Makes sense, right? Big guys, big ball. Little ladies, little ball. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that, I suppose.
I heard someone sayin’ somethin’ about college ball too. They use the same sizes, just like the pros. Men use size 7. Women use size 6. So, WNBA basketball size is smaller than the NBA. It is what it is.

Now, why they do that? Well, I ain’t no expert, but I reckon it’s ’cause the ladies ain’t as big as the men. Most of ’em, anyway. They say the average WNBA player is around 6 feet tall. And them NBA boys? Shoot, they’re way taller, like 6 and a half feet, or somethin’ like that. So, a smaller ball probably makes it easier for the ladies to shoot and dribble and all that.
But the hoop, now that’s the same. Ten feet tall, no matter who’s playin’. So they still gotta shoot it up there just the same. Just with a smaller ball, that’s all.
- WNBA ball: Size 6, about 20 ounces
- NBA ball: Size 7, about 22 ounces
- Hoop height: 10 feet for both
Some folks make a big deal outta this, but I don’t see why. It’s just a ball. They both bounce. They both go in the hoop. ‘Cept one’s a little smaller, that’s all. Don’t make it no harder to understand than it is.
You see them WNBA players play, they do just fine with that smaller ball. They can shoot and pass and dribble just like the men. Maybe even better, some of ’em. So, I don’t think it makes much of a difference in the end.
And you know what they are talking about all the time? Is the WNBA basketball smaller than the NBA? Yes. It is. Smaller ball doesn’t make them any less of a player. The court is almost the same, but the three-point line is a bit different.
They still gotta work hard, practice hard, and play hard. Just like anybody else. Size of the ball ain’t gonna change that. So, if you’re wonderin’ about that WNBA ball, now you know. It’s smaller. But it ain’t no big thing. They’re still playin’ basketball, and they’re still good at it. WNBA basketball smaller? Yes. But still fun to watch.
The rules are a little different, too, I hear. But the game is still the same. You gotta get that ball in the hoop. Whether it’s a big ball or a small ball, that’s what it all comes down to. So next time someone asks about the WNBA vs NBA basketball size, you just tell them what I told you. It’s smaller. No big deal.
I watched WNBA one time. Them girls play hard. So, is WNBA basketball smaller? You know the answer now. They are good. And I think that’s all that matters, right? They play good, we watch, everybody’s happy. That’s the way it should be. Small ball, big ball, who cares? Just play ball!














