SportIQ launches new premium Spalding Smart Basketball built on the iconic TF-1000 game ball
The new premium smart basketball combines Spalding’s trusted TF-1000 indoor game ball with SportIQ’s invisible shot-tracking technology and AI-powered coaching, bringing professional-level training insights for basketball players of all ages and skill levels
Los Angeles, USA / Helsinki, FINLAND (May 12th, 2026) SportIQ, the leading provider of smart basketballs and in-app shooting coaching, today announced the launch of a new premium Spalding Smart Basketball built on Spalding’s iconic TF-1000 indoor game ball platform. The new ball combines the elite-level feel and performance of one of basketball’s most trusted game balls with SportIQ’s patented embedded sensor technology. Through a connected mobile app, players get real-time shooting analytics as well as AI-powered coaching without changing how the game is played.
The TF-1000 platform is already one of the most widely used basketballs in competitive play, used in approximately 40% of competitive basketball games in the United States and serving as the official game ball in 19 states, including New York and Texas, as well as multiple professional leagues globally. Now, the same premium game ball trusted by serious players is becoming smart.
The new Spalding Smart Basketball tracks every shot through an invisible sensor integrated directly into the ball, preserving the authentic bounce, weight, and feel players expect from a premium indoor basketball. The hardware has been tested to the highest levels of play to ensure elite performance and durability. The connected app analyzes shooting data in real time and gives players personalized feedback on shot arc, release angle, consistency, and mechanics. Gamification and challenges make training more engaging while helping players improve faster.
"This launch is about letting players train with the same ball they play with, now with all the benefits of a connected basketball. Serious players care about feel, performance, and consistency, so bringing our technology into the TF-1000 platform was an important step. We wanted to give players the data, feedback, and coaching benefits of a smart ball without compromising the experience of using a premium game ball,” says Erik Anderson, CEO of SportIQ.
SportIQ’s technology has already tracked more than 40 million basketball shots globally and is currently used by players of all ages and skill levels, including NBA shooting coaches and competitive youth athletes. In 2025, the company was selected for the NBA Launchpad accelerator program, where its technology is being explored for future use cases related to officiating, analytics, and fan engagement.
The launch also follows growing recognition for connected basketball technology globally with the Spalding Smart Basketball recently recognized by TIME as one of the Best Inventions of 2025.
“Our vision is to make every ball smart, but it starts with products that players genuinely love using. Basketball players spend thousands of hours practicing, and we believe technology should make that process more rewarding, motivating, and accessible for everyone, whether you’re training for professional competition or simply trying to become the best player at your local court,” Anderson continues.
The new premium Spalding Smart Basketball is designed for ambitious basketball players and young athletes and families investing in long-term player development. The product combines professional-grade analytics and coaching with the premium feel of one of basketball’s most trusted indoor game balls. For more information and to purchase the ball, visit smartbasketball.spalding.com.
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For additional information:
Media kit with pictures
Erik Anderson, CEO
SportIQ
erik.anderson@sportiq.com
About SportIQ
SportIQ is the leading smart ball company specialized in AI, machine learning and classical physics in sports. The company’s vision is to make every ball smart.
SportIQ’s smart ball sensor technology and analytics app holds over 25 patents, and is currently utilized in the industry-leading Spalding TF DNA basketball. SportIQ technology helps players of all ages and skill levels improve their game by tracking shots, providing personalized coaching, and by making training fun through gamification.
To date, the company has tracked over 40M basketball shots and sells tens of thousands of consumer basketballs in the US annually.
In 2025, SportIQ was chosen for the NBA Launchpad accelerator program, where they will develop new on-court technology to enhance fan engagement and help officials to make the right decisions.
For more information, visit smartbasketball.spalding.com.
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