Julian Read, Griffin Hartshorn, Levi Weidmann

Coach Kramer

Adv. Sports Med, Period 1

10/3/17

Basketball Challenge: Project

Question:

Should the size of the basketball change in High School?

Background:

In the NBA and the WNBA the ball circumference is based on the average hand size of the

players. This keeps and even ratio with both the NBA and the WNBA. In high school they just

use the same size as the NBA and WNBA. The formula for getting the circumference suitable for

the athlete hand length/ height x .108. They don't use the formula for high school athletes

because it's easier and better for the athlete especially.

Materials:

Goniometry measurer

Meter stick

Measuring tape

Hypothesis:

I believe that the boys hands will be bigger and they will be taller but not by a whole lot.
Procedure:

We called in the Varsity Basketball team of both the boys and girls to measure all of their hand

length and height. First we started with their hand length using a either a meter stick or a

measuring tape then we would measure their height using a measuring tape and record the data

for all participants.

Data:

Women's Basketball Right hand length Left hand length Height

Anne Curtis 16.5 cm 16.5 cm 176 cm

Isabella 18 cm 18 cm 173 cm

Bridget 19 cm 19 cm 173 cm

Faith 16 cm 16 cm 156 cm
Women's Basketball Right hand length Left hand length Height

Kendall 18 cm 18 cm 179 cm

Leanna 18 cm 18 cm 172 cm

Claire 17.5 cm 17.5 cm 168 cm

Clarissa 17 cm 17 cm 178 cm

Elon 18.5 cm 18.5 cm 176 cm

Sasha 18.5 cm 18.5 cm 174 cm

Selena 17.5 cm 17 cm 170 cm

Women's Basketball Right hand length Left hand length Height

Brooke 17.5 cm 18 cm 164 cm

Men's Basketball Right hand length Left hand length Height

Teddy 19.5 cm 19.5 cm 188 cm

Joey 21 cm 20 cm 200 cm

Tyler 21 cm 20 cm 195 cm

Dylan 18 cm 18 cm 172 cm

Jordan 20 cm 20 cm 178 cm

Julian 19.5 cm 19.5 cm 193 cm

Max 19.5 cm 19.5 cm 191 cm

Men's Basketball Right hand length Left hand length Height

Coltrane 21 cm 21 cm 188 cm

Ziaire 22.5 cm 22.5 cm 200 cm

Ryan E. 20 cm 20 cm 184 cm

Elijah 18.75 cm 18.75 cm 175 cm

Aiden 22 cm 22 cm 194 cm

Jack 19 cm 19 cm 185 cm

Bryce 20.32 cm 20.32 cm 185 cm

Qualitative analysis:

1. The average hand length for the boys was

(21+22.5+20+18.75+22+19+20.32+19.5+19.5+20+18+21+21+19.5)/14=20.15 cm. The

average height for the boys is

(185+185+194+175+184+200+188+191+193+178+172+195+200+188)/14=187.71 cm.
2. The average hand length for the girls is (18+18+17.5+17+18.5+18.5+17.5+17.5)/8=17.67

cm. The average height for the girls is (179+172+168+178+176+174+170+164)/8=171.58

cm.

3. Skip

Qualitative analysis:

1. The boys average height was 16.04 cm taller than the girls height, 187.71-171.58=16.04, and

their hands were only 2.48 cm bigger than the girls, 20.15-17.67=2.48.

2. The disadvantage for the boys team is that changing the ball size could make them

unprepared for the high levels if they aren't used to the normal ball size. The advantage is,

from high school to NBA the ball size doesn't change so they never have to adapt with the

risk of weakening their skill.

3. For the girls it's the same thing, the disadvantage is that it makes them too used to the bigger

or smaller ball and less comfortable with the normal size ball. The advantage is, again, it's

the same size ball in high school, college and the WNBA.

Conclusion:

In the end, my hypothesis was supported by the results we got. The men's average height was

16.04 cm taller than the women's 171.58 cm height. And then the mens hands were only 2.48 cm

bigger than the women's 17.67 cm hand length. Some errors that could've occurred was if we

didn't get all of the measurements or if we had gotten the wrong. I believe it shouldn't be changed

because it could put High School athletes at a major disadvantage going into college and make

their game weak.