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.
Knowing to step up and take that charge or pick up the ball handler, that’s a good game time learning situation. Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025 Senior guard Taylor Bigby is another returner from last year who is playing well, and TCU also has graduate guard Maddie Scherr as another shooter and ball handler. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Dec. 2025 There the wing was Monday in the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s blowout win over Dallas, still pressuring Mavericks ball handlers in a game the Wolves led by 30. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 19 Nov. 2025 But the Mavericks have gotten a positive update on the status of Irving, one of the great ball handlers in league history. Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ball handler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ball%20handler. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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