How To Draw a Basketball?

Here’s the step by step process of drawing a basketball.

Step 1 – Draw the Circle and Basic Guidelines

Begin by drawing a large, clean circle to form the outer shape of the basketball.
Lightly sketch a vertical guideline through the center of the circle so you can keep the seams balanced.
Add a horizontal guideline across the middle, creating a simple cross that divides the ball into four sections.
Keep the guidelines faint; they are only used for alignment and will be erased later.
If needed, trace the circle a second time very lightly to smooth out bumps and make the outline more even.
Check that the cross meets at the true center—this will help the curved seam lines look symmetrical.
Avoid adding any seam details yet; this step is only about setting up the correct proportions and placement.

Draw two long, curved vertical seam shapes on the left and right sides of the ball.
Each seam should look like a tall “parenthesis” curve, bending inward slightly as it travels through the circle.
Add a third curved seam closer to the center, creating the classic basketball panel flow.
Make sure the seam lines follow the roundness of the ball—curves should feel like they wrap around a sphere, not like flat stripes.
Keep the seam lines light and adjustable while you place them, especially where they approach the edge of the circle.
Check spacing: the seam sections should look evenly distributed, with no side feeling too crowded.
Refine the outer circle slightly if the seams reveal any unevenness in the ball’s outline.

Add a curved horizontal seam that crosses the ball from left to right, slightly arcing to match the ball’s 3D surface.
Where the horizontal seam meets the vertical seams, make sure the intersections connect cleanly and naturally.
Adjust the seam thickness lightly by tracing over them once more so they read clearly against the ball surface.
Erase or soften the original cross guidelines if they distract from the seam pattern.
Recheck the curve directions: seams should always curve as if they’re wrapping around a round object.
Smooth any wobbly lines and keep the seam endpoints clean at the ball’s edge.
At this stage, the basketball should look complete in line form, with clear panel seams but minimal shading.

Darken the seam lines slightly to make them stand out, as shown in the final reference image.
Shade the ball with soft pencil strokes, keeping one side lighter and the opposite side darker to suggest a light source.
Build shading gradually: start with a light mid-tone, then deepen shadows near the darker edge and along some seam boundaries.
Leave a lighter highlight area on the brighter side of the ball to make it look round and glossy.
Add subtle shading near the bottom edge of the ball to increase the sense of weight.
Draw a cast shadow underneath as a flattened oval, darkest directly under the ball and lighter as it spreads outward.
Blend the shadow into the surface with gentle strokes so the ball feels grounded, not floating.
Finish by erasing any leftover construction marks and tidying the outline for a clean, finished basketball drawing.