NBA Trials Smart Basketballs and Wearable Tech

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The National Basketball Association announced on Monday that it will experiment with smart basketballs and official wrist‑wearable devices during selected preseason games. The league’s move follows a decade of technology trials, including the 2006 attempt to introduce a synthetic Spalding ball that was quickly abandoned after fan backlash. By embedding sensors in the ball, officials hope to capture real‑time data on shot trajectory, spin, and player impact, while wrist wearables will monitor heart rate and fatigue levels. The initiative aims to enhance player safety, improve coaching analytics, and offer fans a richer viewing experience. Teams participating in the trials will receive the equipment free of charge, and the data collected will be reviewed before any permanent adoption. The NBA’s experiment reflects a broader trend in professional sports toward data‑driven performance optimization.