<P> In early December 1891, the chairman of the physical education department at the School for Christian Workers (now Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts, instructed physical education teacher James Naismith, known to many as the inventor of basketball, to invent a new game to entertain the school's athletes in the winter season . Naismith assembled his class of 18 young men, appointed captains of two nine - player teams, and set in motion the first ever basketball game, played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets tacked to either end of the gymnasium . </P> <P> The first purpose - built basketballs were made from panels of leather stitched together with a rubber bladder inside . A cloth lining was added to the leather for support and uniformity (identity). A molded version of the early basketball was invented in 1942 . For many years, leather was the material of choice for basketball coverings, however in the late 1990s, composite materials, like synthetics were put forth and have rapidly gained acceptance in most leagues due to their superior performance in harsh outdoor game conditions . </P> <P> From 1967 through 1976, the American Basketball Association (ABA) used a distinctive red, white and blue basketball that is still seen from time to time . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> Spalding </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Spalding was the first company to produce a basketball for official use . Company founder A.G. Spalding made the first dedicated basketball in the last years of the 19th century at the behest of James Naismith . It has produced basketballs since that time and has produced the NBA's official game ball since 1983 . They also produce the basketballs for the WNBA and NBA Development League . The company also produces a wide variety of balls for the consumer market . <P> In 2012, it also became official provider for both the Euroleague and Eurocup competitions . It also serves as provider for Liga ACB . </P> <P> Spalding became the new supplier for NBL Australia in 2010 . </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Molten </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Molten, a Japanese sporting goods manufacturer, has the current contract to provide game balls for: <Ul> <Li> All International Basketball Federation (FIBA) world championships and continental qualifying events . </Li> <Li> All FIBA Asia events . </Li> <Li> The VTB United League . </Li> <Li> Many domestic leagues, including NBL Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, British Basketball League, France (women), Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Lithuania, the Philippines, Poland (women's), and Portugal . </Li> </Ul> <P> Until the 2006--07 season, it had provided balls for both Europe - wide competitions organized by Euroleague Basketball, the Euroleague and ULEB Cup (now the Eurocup). Molten's top - of - the line product is the GL7, a leather ball with a distinctive 12 - panel design . </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Wilson </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Wilson Sporting Goods is the official ball supplier of all NCAA postseason tournaments, most notably the men's and women's Division I tournaments, and is used by many NCAA teams during the season as well by many high school leagues . As of 2015, Wilson also supplies balls for all FIBA - operated 3x3 competitions . Like Spalding, Wilson produces a variety of balls for the consumer market as well . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Rawlings </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Rawlings has manufactured basketballs since 1902 . The company is known for producing a 10 - panel ball (known as the TEN), along with traditional 8 - panel balls . The TEN basketball is the official ball of the Amateur Athletic Union and the "Gus Macker", the largest 3 - on - 3 basketball tournament in the United States . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nike </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Nike had the contract to produce balls for the Euroleague Basketball Company (including the Euroleague and the Eurocup) from 2007 until 2012, when it turned to Spalding . In the Philippines the NCAA and UAAP use the Nike 4005 Official Tournament Balls . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nivia </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Nivia is India's first sports equipment manufacturer produces hand made basketballs . Nivia was one of the official partners of 2015 National Games of India for basketball . Former sponsored for Indian College basketball league & Indian school of basketball league . Nivia Sports makes 1 ball in every 3 seconds, all balls are assured with quality test by shooting them at the speed of 25 mph at an iron plate of thickness of 1 inch for 2000 times before sending them to leagues . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Others </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Include: Adidas, Avaro, Baden (official Harlem Globetrotters supplier), Dunlop, DHS, Kipsta, Mikasa, Mitre, Sterling Athletics...</Td> </Tr> </Table>

What is the diameter of a size 6 basketball