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
Schank, a senior, finished with nine points and a few chargers, leading the squad as one of the primary ball handlers.
—
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Mar. 2024
Book and Brad are handling that as primary ball handlers, but in flow anybody can bring it.
—Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 22 Jan. 2024
Nembhard and McConnell both have extensive experience starting in Haliburton's place at point guard, and Carlisle generally likes to have two ball handlers in his starting lineup.
—Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Jan. 2024
Riordan’s offense started getting going in the second quarter with Hillman taking the reins as the team’s primary ball handler.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2024
And in part because Siakam is a good enough ball handler to run the point if need be, Carlisle can feel more comfortable putting more size on the floor from 2-4.
—Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Jan. 2024
Coach Geno Auriemma made the switch in part because of injuries to front-court players and in part because of the emergence of other ball handlers, including senior Nika Muhl, who last year set the program record for assists in a season and in a game.
—Doug Feinberg, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024
Breaking that trap not only requires a confident ball handler, but also trust to make that extra pass and find the open man.
—Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2024
If Hawkins — who leads the nation with 7.8 assists per game — can’t play, Mike Mitchell Jr. and Christie will be the primary ball handlers.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2024
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Mar. 2024
Book and Brad are handling that as primary ball handlers, but in flow anybody can bring it.
—Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 22 Jan. 2024
Nembhard and McConnell both have extensive experience starting in Haliburton's place at point guard, and Carlisle generally likes to have two ball handlers in his starting lineup.
—Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Jan. 2024
Riordan’s offense started getting going in the second quarter with Hillman taking the reins as the team’s primary ball handler.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2024
And in part because Siakam is a good enough ball handler to run the point if need be, Carlisle can feel more comfortable putting more size on the floor from 2-4.
—Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Jan. 2024
Coach Geno Auriemma made the switch in part because of injuries to front-court players and in part because of the emergence of other ball handlers, including senior Nika Muhl, who last year set the program record for assists in a season and in a game.
—Doug Feinberg, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024
Breaking that trap not only requires a confident ball handler, but also trust to make that extra pass and find the open man.
—Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2024
If Hawkins — who leads the nation with 7.8 assists per game — can’t play, Mike Mitchell Jr. and Christie will be the primary ball handlers.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ball handler.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1912, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ball handler
Cite this Entry
“Ball handler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ball%20handler. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share