NEW YORK — The NBA has begun testing smart basketballs equipped with Bluetooth sensors, finally giving the league a potential witness to controversial plays that does not need to squint at a replay monitor for seven minutes.
The league is using connected basketballs in selected preseason games for research that could eventually help real-time officiating. Referees are also testing wrist wearables that communicate directly with the Replay Center during situations such as reviews, scoring corrections and clock issues. Neither technology is being used to change calls during the preseason tests.
Fans have already demanded the basketball overturn three decisions from last season.
Engineers say the smart ball can collect movement data but has not yet been authorized to testify about whether a defender touched it last.
Officials are also studying whether Bluetooth can identify marginal contact, gather steps, illegal screens and the exact moment a player begins yelling “AND ONE.”
The referee wearables are expected to reduce the amount of time officials spend walking toward the scorer’s table and putting on a headset while 19,000 people boo.
The league stressed that the technology remains experimental. Players remain skeptical.
One official attempted to consult the smart ball during testing before being surrounded by six athletes explaining that the ball had clearly misunderstood the play.
The NBA says no decisions have been made regarding regular-season use. The basketball declined comment, citing an ongoing review.
