Whether you play basketball on an inner-city asphalt court, in a school gym, in your driveway, or in a large arena as a professional athlete, you’ve probably seen the Wilson logo on your basketballs more than any other. Wilson basketballs are popular worldwide because they’re some of the best basketballs in existence.
Wilson has been making basketballs since 1915. Over the years, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Michael Jordan have endorsed Wilson basketballs. Wilson basketballs have also served as the official basketball of the Olympics.
Have you noticed that the only types of basketballs you see during National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) March Madness are Wilson basketballs? That’s because Wilson has been the only brand that players have dribbled down NCAA basketball tournament courts for over 20 years.
Wilson’s NCAA Final Four Edition basketball has several features that make it stand out above others. Our Wilson Final Four basketball review will give you an overview of those features.
Wilson NCAA Final Four Edition Basketball Review
Wilson has been partnering with the NCAA Championship since the 1990s to make their basketballs. During those Final Four games, the heat is on, and players need the very best basketball possible.
Wilson is a name that players trust, and the features of their Final Four Edition basketball can give you the same sense of trust in your most tense moments on the court. Owning this ball means you don’t have to wait until March to have your own bit of court madness.
Official Size
The Wilson Final Four basketball is the official 29.5-inch size male NCAA players use in their games. This official size is ideal for males aged 12+ to pro. The ball also comes in intermediate and youth sizes for females and younger players with smaller hands.
This basketball comes inflated. For best results, you’ll want to keep your 29.5-inch basketball inflated at 7-9 pounds per square inch (PSI). You can buy inflation equipment separately.
Soft Cushion Core Carcass Leather
The Chicago-based Horween Leather Company has been the source of Wilson basketball leather since 1941.
The Wilson Final Four basketball is made from durable composite leather and features a Cushion Core Carcass. The covering is leather, while the core is rubber.
This leather on the Wilson Final Four basketball provides ideal softness and excellent grip. You’ll also find that it delivers improved rebound.
Grippy Surface Construction
The dots on the surface of a basketball aren’t just for looks. They provide more contact points to help with your ability to grab a spherical basketball and keep it in your hand. The more pebbled the surface is, the better the traction.
The Wilson Final Four basketball has a High Definition Pebble surface which provides enhanced grip. It also has Deep Channel Construction with rough grooves. The ball’s surface construction helps you keep a grip on the ball when it matters most. There’s no need to worry that sweaty palms are going to make you lose your grip with this ball.
Suitable for Outdoor Use
Rubber balls are more durable for outdoor use. However, the composite leather in the Wilson Final Four basketball makes it suitable for outdoor use. You can use it in your driveway or on an outdoor asphalt court with no problem.
To make it last longer, be sure to wipe your basketball down with a towel now and then to keep it from becoming slippery. Also, keep it indoors because the dampness of dew and rain can destroy the surface.
Wilson Final Four Basketball Pros and Cons
The Wilson Final Four basketball seems to have more pros than cons, and the cons seem to be unimportant overall.
Pros
- Brand: Wilson is an enduring brand with a strong reputation.
- Feel: The surface has a nice, soft feel.
- Grip: The high-definition pebbled and deep channeled surface offers excellent grip so that the ball doesn’t slide out of your hand.
- Inflation: The basketball comes inflated, so you can use it right out of the box. The ball inflates smoothly without lumps
- Indoor/Outdoor Use: The ball works well for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Quality: The Wilson Final Four basketball has the quality of a higher-priced ball.
Cons
- Warranty: A warranty does not come with the ball.
- Deflation: A couple of reviewers report that the ball has leaky air valves. But, this seems to be the exception, not the rule.
- Size: Some reviewers say that it feels smaller than 29.5” when they’re holding another 29.5” ball in their other hand.
Our Overall Feeling About the Wilson Final Four Basketball
Our Wilson Final Four basketball review places the basketball as one of the best available. Not only is it affordable, but it’s well-constructed and durable. Wilson has designed it to give you the best grip possible when you need to keep your hands on the ball.
