Wilson Unveils Airless 3D-Printed Basketball Prototype with NBA-Level Performance

Sports gear company Wilson has unveiled a new "airless" 3D-printed basketball that is designed to revolutionize the game.

The "Airless Prototype" is a high-tech ball that does not require air to bounce and represents the first major innovation in basketball design since 1957, when Spalding began producing easy-to-see orange basketballs.

The ball was created using a CAD system and then translated into a 3D-printer file that was printed using a process called additive 3D printing. This technique allows for much finer detail than traditional 3D printing, making it the only technology capable of bringing this concept to life.

The Airless Prototype has been rigorously tested and has nearly the same weight, size, and bounce as a regulation NBA ball. However, Wilson's Vice President of Innovation, Bob Thurman, says there are no immediate plans to change current regulations to allow the use of the new ball.

The ball made its debut during the 2023 NBA All-Star Game's slam dunk contest, but for now, it is a one-of-a-kind prototype that may or may not see a consumer-level release. Wilson says there is still work to be done before it is ready for courts around the world, but the possibilities that the ball represents are exciting.