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
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Erica Wheeler, who started in place of Ariel Atkins (concussion), scored 10 points with seven assists and was a plus-16 as the primary ball handler after starting the season two for 16 from the field.
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Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2026
While the Spurs also touted the NBA’s third-best offense this season, San Antonio’s ball handlers and shooters are capable of being sped up.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
San Antonio has three ball handlers capable of running offense in a postseason that begs teams to fight through muddied possessions.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
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.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
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Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2026
While the Spurs also touted the NBA’s third-best offense this season, San Antonio’s ball handlers and shooters are capable of being sped up.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
San Antonio has three ball handlers capable of running offense in a postseason that begs teams to fight through muddied possessions.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
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.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 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 17 May. 2026.
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