First impressions matter, and the Senston basketball definitely looks the part. The leather has a nice texture that feels premium when you first hold it. I took it straight to my local outdoor court for a shootaround, and the grip was surprisingly good – no slipping even when my hands got sweaty.

However, I noticed something odd after about 30 minutes of play. Several reviewers mentioned the weight, and they weren't kidding. Compared to my usual Spalding ball, this one feels like it's got some extra heft to it. Not necessarily bad for strength training, but my shots were consistently short until I adjusted my muscle memory.

The included accessories are hit-or-miss. The needle worked fine when I used it with my own pump (the included one failed after two uses according to multiple reviews). Pro tip: have a backup pump ready if you're giving this as a gift.

Where this ball really shines is durability. After two months of weekly outdoor games on concrete, it's holding up much better than expected. The leather has scuffed but hasn't peeled or become slippery like some budget balls do.

Final verdict? Great for casual players who want decent quality at this price point. Serious players might want something lighter, but for driveway games or gym class? Definitely gets the job done.