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)
Examples of ball handler in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Smith, a former first-round draft pick in 2023, could provide the Lakers with an extra ball handler off the bench to spell Marcus Smart and Kennard with Doncic (hamstring) and Reaves (oblique) almost certainly out for the start of the postseason.
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Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
The 5-foot-9 ball handler was arguably the best point of attack defender in the country this season, using her combination of length, quickness and tenacity to earn all-SEC defensive first-team honors.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
The junior excelled in his role as a veteran ball handler alongside Boozer and his twin brother, Cayden.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2026
Brown said Josh Hart plays an integral role as a secondary ball handler behind Brunson or alongside second-year guard Tyler Kolek.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
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Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
The 5-foot-9 ball handler was arguably the best point of attack defender in the country this season, using her combination of length, quickness and tenacity to earn all-SEC defensive first-team honors.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
The junior excelled in his role as a veteran ball handler alongside Boozer and his twin brother, Cayden.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2026
Brown said Josh Hart plays an integral role as a secondary ball handler behind Brunson or alongside second-year guard Tyler Kolek.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ball handler
Cite this Entry
“Ball handler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ball%20handler. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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