The NBA is taking another step toward making basketball smarter with new technology. During the 2026 preseason, the league is testing a connected basketball and wrist wearables that could change how officials handle certain situations in future games.
The NBA smart basketball technology experiment is designed to collect useful game data and explore how technology could support referees. However, the NBA has made it clear that the technology will not directly affect decisions during these preseason games.
How the NBA Smart Basketball Works
The new basketball, developed by Wilson, includes a Bluetooth sensor. It can collect information that may eventually help the NBA make real-time officiating decisions.
For now, the data is being collected strictly for research. That means referees will not use the information from the smart ball to change calls during the preseason games where it is being tested.
This approach gives the league an opportunity to study the technology in real game conditions without immediately making it part of officiating.
The idea is especially interesting because small details such as timing, ball movement and other game information could potentially be measured more accurately with connected equipment.
NBA Officials Are Also Testing Wrist Wearables
The smart basketball is not the only technology getting attention. Officials in selected preseason games are also testing wrist wearables that can communicate with the replay center.
These devices are being used in specific situations, including replay reviews, scoring changes and clock problems.
The NBA previously tested the wearable technology during the Summer League. According to the league, that pilot program was successful.
However, fans should not expect referees to wear these devices throughout the regular season just yet. The NBA said the technology will not be extended into regular-season games at this stage.
Smart Basketball vs Wrist Wearables
| Feature | Smart Basketball | Wrist Wearables |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Collect game data | Communicate with replay center |
| Technology | Bluetooth sensor | Wearable communication device |
| Current use | Preseason research | Selected preseason situations |
| Affects calls now? | No | Used for communication |
| Regular season | Not currently planned | Not currently planned |
Why This Technology Matters
Technology has already become an important part of professional sports, but the NBA’s latest experiments show that the league is looking beyond traditional replay systems.
A connected basketball could eventually provide officials with additional information without relying entirely on manual observation. Meanwhile, wearable devices could make communication between referees and the replay center quicker and more efficient.
The key word here is testing. The NBA is not saying these systems are ready to become a permanent part of every game. Instead, the preseason gives the league a chance to understand what works, what needs improvement and whether the technology can actually help.
For basketball fans, this could be the early stage of a much more technology-driven NBA. The future game may not only be about players, coaches and referees. Smart equipment could quietly become another part of the action.
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