How to Draw a Basketball

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Reviewed by Jeanine Hattas Wilson

Last Updated: February 24, 2025

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Basketball Icon Design

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Realistic Basketball

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

This is a tutorial that teaches you how to draw a basketball. You will learn how to draw a simple basketball icon design and a more realistic basketball. Let’s begin!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Basketball Icon Design

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You can use a protractor or a compass to guide you in drawing a perfect circle. Sketch a circle using a pencil first, and then trace the line using a marker.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Realistic Basketball

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Use your pencil to lightly sketch a perfect circle.
You can show a sphere by adding the perspective.
Choose the basic color in beginning the coloring.
Choose a color that is lighter than the basic color. Put it where the brighter areas should be shown which means that is where the light is being reflected.
To show a more realistic approach to the drawing, add the shades and shadow. This way, the basketball will appear like a sphere.
Two lines which are a vertical and a horizontal line in the middle simply follow the shape of the ball. The other two lines are curved lines conforming to the shape of the ball.

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Why is the basketball red?

Community Answer

That's just how they chose to color it. They're usually orange, but can really be any color.

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How do I draw a perfect circle?

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Trace something that looks like a perfect circle, like the bottom of a cup or anything circular.

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How do I make a football?

Community Answer

Start by drawing a slightly curved line. Make another curved line and connect it to the first. Draw a straight line in the center. Add three marks to the line.

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Tips

If you want other stuff in the scene, plan your space ahead of time.

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You might want to look at an actual basketball or a photo of one.

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You can use a compass to make a perfect circle or you can trace around a circular object, such as a cup.

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