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
Sid’s usually guarding the ball handler, and Addy’s on the wing.
—
Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
At one point in the first half, a Utah ball handler couldn’t get past Bidunga to drive to the basket, and while flustered, threw the ball backward to a teammate.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
One reason for his success was TCU’s half-court defense, which attempted to trap Houston’s big men and ball handlers coming off pick-and-rolls.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2026
James, the second-leading ball handler on the team, helped himself to 19 shot attempts against the Clippers, making nine.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ball handler
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Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
At one point in the first half, a Utah ball handler couldn’t get past Bidunga to drive to the basket, and while flustered, threw the ball backward to a teammate.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
One reason for his success was TCU’s half-court defense, which attempted to trap Houston’s big men and ball handlers coming off pick-and-rolls.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2026
James, the second-leading ball handler on the team, helped himself to 19 shot attempts against the Clippers, making nine.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 18 Jan. 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 15 Feb. 2026.
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