ball handler

noun

: a player who controls the ball in any of various games
especially : a player who is skilled at handling the ball (as in basketball)
ballhandling
ˈbȯl-ˌhan(d)-liŋ How to pronounce ball handler (audio)
-ˌhan-dᵊl-iŋ
noun

Examples of ball handler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Opponents have typically trapped or switched when Doncic has operated as the ball handler in pick-and-rolls. Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 6 Mar. 2025 Bishop O’Dowd’s defense funneled ball handlers into the paint, where the 6-foot-2 Gordon made her presence felt. Glenn Reeves, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2025 Hunter’s strength as a ball handler and as another playmaker could be the difference against the Bears and her presence could allow Van Lith to focus more on scoring. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2025 Over the last few seasons, Fox has improved drastically as a ball handler, going from a 65th percentile pick-and-roll ball handler in 2021 to the 91st this season, scoring an impressive 1.067 points per possession, according to Synergy tracking data. Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ball handler

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ball handler was in 1912

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Cite this Entry

“Ball handler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ball%20handler. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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