Gear and sizes
Get the size right before worrying about brands. Size rules come from governing bodies and official brand charts; the models listed are common choices, not paid picks.
Basketball
Game ball; the size used depends on age group and on men's or women's competition.
| Age / level | Size / spec | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-basketball (FIBA) | Size 5 or lightweight size 5 ball: circumference 685–700 mm; weight 465–495 g (lightweight 5: 360–390 g).FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 – Basketball Equipment, section 2.4 and Table 1. | Rule |
| Women's competitions (FIBA) | Size 6 ball: circumference 715–730 mm; weight 510–550 g.FIBA rule for all women's competitions. The age at which girls' youth leagues move to size 6 is set by the league; confirm with your club or school league. | Rule |
| Men's competitions (FIBA) | Size 7 ball: circumference 750–770 mm; weight 580–620 g.FIBA rule for all men's competitions. The age at which boys' youth leagues move to size 7 is set by the league; confirm with your club or school league. | Rule |
| U12 (mini-basketball) | Size 5 ball.FIBA mini-basketball modified rules list a standard 10 ft (3.05 m) basket, 8 ft (2.43 m) for U10 and 6 ft (1.83 m) for U6. | Rule |
| Canada Basketball mini-basket, 3-on-3 format | Size 3 ball with an 8-foot hoop.From Canada Basketball's 2015 mini-basket rules as announced by Basketball Manitoba; the page does not give ages for each format. | Rule |
| Canada Basketball mini-basket, 4-on-4 format | Regulation size 5 ball with a 9-foot hoop.From Canada Basketball's 2015 mini-basket rules as announced by Basketball Manitoba; the page does not give ages for each format. | Rule |
| Ages 4 and under (adidas Canada chart) | Size 3 (circumference 22 in).Manufacturer guidance; manufacturers' age bands differ (compare the Nike Canada chart). League rules take precedence. | Rule |
| Ages 5–8 (adidas Canada chart) | Size 4 (circumference 25.5 in).Manufacturer guidance; league rules take precedence. | Rule |
| Ages 9–11 (adidas Canada chart) | Size 5 (circumference 27.5 in).Manufacturer guidance; league rules take precedence. | Rule |
| Boys 12–14; girls/women 12+ (adidas Canada chart) | Size 6 (circumference 28.5 in).Manufacturer guidance; league rules take precedence. | Rule |
| Boys/men 15+ (adidas Canada chart) | Size 7 (circumference 29.5 in).Manufacturer guidance; league rules take precedence. | Rule |
| Age 9 and under (Nike Canada chart) | Size 5 (circumference 27–28 in).Manufacturer guidance; Nike's age bands differ from adidas'. League rules take precedence. | Rule |
| Girls/women 9+; boys 9–12 (Nike Canada chart) | Size 6 (circumference 28.5–29 in).Manufacturer guidance; league rules take precedence. | Rule |
| Boys/men 12+ (Nike Canada chart) | Size 7 (circumference 29.5–30 in).Manufacturer guidance; league rules take precedence. | Rule |
| Age 8 and under (Wilson size guide) | Size 5 (27.5 in).Manufacturer guidance shown on Wilson basketball product pages; league rules take precedence. | Rule |
| Girls/women 9+; boys 9–11 (Wilson size guide) | Size 6 (28.5 in).Manufacturer guidance; league rules take precedence. | Rule |
| Boys/men 12+ (Wilson size guide) | Size 7 (29.5 in).Manufacturer guidance; league rules take precedence. | Rule |
- WilsonNBA Authentic Indoor/Outdoor BasketballSize 5: age 8 and under; size 6: women 9+, men 9–11; size 7: men 12+ (Wilson size guide), Size 5 (27.5 in); size 6 (28.5 in); size 7 (29.5 in)Brand page
- WilsonCaitlin Clark Poise Indoor/Outdoor BasketballSize 5: age 8 and under; size 6: women 9+, men 9–11; size 7: men 12+ (Wilson size guide), Size 5 (27.5 in); size 6 (28.5 in); size 7 (29.5 in)Brand page
- WilsonEvolution Game Basketball (WZ10160)Size 6: women 9+, men 9–11; size 7: men 12+ (Wilson size guide), Size 6; size 7Brand page
Basketball shoes
Indoor court shoes worn for practices and games.
Mouthguard
Protective mouthguard worn during play.
Kids outgrow gear fast, so it doesn't have to be new: used and sports gear stores across Canada · gear swaps
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