The First Basketballs Were Brown, Not Orange

For the first 66 years of basketball's existence, players dribbled and shot with brown leather balls that were difficult to see, especially for fans in the stands. The brown color made it hard for players to track the ball during fast-paced action and for spectators to follow the game. In 1957, Tony Hinkle, a coach at Butler University, decided something needed to change. He worked with the Spalding company to develop a basketball in a bright orange color that would stand out against the court and players' uniforms. The orange basketball was an instant success and was quickly adopted across all levels of play. Today, the distinctive orange color is synonymous with basketball worldwide.