NBA Tested Smart Basketballs and Wearables
The league trialed sensor-equipped basketballs and official wrist devices during select preseason exhibition games.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Basketball
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The NBA has conducted tests on smart basketballs and official wrist wearables during recent preseason games to gather research data. These technologies aim to assist with replay reviews and clock management without impacting live officiating.
Why it matters
The league is evaluating how sensor data can potentially enhance officiating accuracy and replay procedures in the future. Collecting this information serves as a research phase to determine if such tools can eventually streamline game management.
The NBA utilized Bluetooth-enabled Wilson basketballs to capture real-time data while officials used wrist-worn devices to signal the league's replay center. This pilot follows an initial trial of the wrist wearables conducted during the 2026 summer league.
The players
NBA
The National Basketball Association is the premier professional basketball league in North America.
Wilson
Wilson is a major sports equipment manufacturer that provides official game balls for the NBA.
The details
The Wilson-developed basketballs contain internal Bluetooth sensors that track game information in real-time, while the wrist devices allow officials to communicate directly with the replay center. These tools are currently restricted to administrative tasks like scoring changes and clock malfunctions, and the league confirmed they will not be used during the regular season.
Timeline
Summer 2026: The league conducted a pilot program for the wrist wearables.
October 2026: The technology was tested during select preseason games.
Season Trajectory
These trials represent a long-term shift toward integrating data-driven tools into professional sports officiating. This mirrors the trajectory of other leagues that have transitioned from purely human-led adjudication to hybrid systems utilizing sensor input and automated replay review.
While the technology is limited to administrative functions during this trial, it demonstrates a commitment to potentially reducing game stoppages for replay reviews. The outcome of this research will dictate whether future games experience faster reviews or different data-tracking standards.
The takeaway
The NBA is prioritizing research into new sensor technologies to refine the speed and precision of game administration. Fans should note that these tests remain in a research phase and will not affect the rules or officiating standards of the upcoming regular season.
Further reading
For more on the current state of professional basketball, explore the Basketball section.
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Do you believe wearable technology should be permanently used to assist sports officials in making calls?
