Spalding releases replicas of 1st official basketball from 1894

In 1894, A.G. Spalding was asked to design the first basketball at the request of Dr. James Naismith.

Spalding is now paying tribute to the original model with a 125th-anniversary basketball that features similar construction and characteristics, including an "A.G. Spalding and Bros." logo and a "No. M" stamp to signify that it's a Match Play ball.

(Photos courtesy: Spalding)

The ball will be available for purchase by Spalding MVP members beginning at tip-off of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday (9 p.m. ET) for $249.99, and then by the general public 30 minutes later.