How to Use ball handler in a Sentence

ball handler

noun
Definition of ball handlernext
  • JaVale McGee isn't a good ball handler in the open floor.
    — Duane Rankin, USA TODAY, 3 May 2022
  • Sykes has a chance to give the Pacers bench a boost at the lead ball handler spot.
    — Tony East, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021
  • Foul the ball handler dribbling the ball up the floor before half-court.
    — Shannon Russell, The Courier-Journal, 27 Nov. 2020
  • Suns' 7-foot center JaVale McGee isn't a good ball handler in the open floor.
    — Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 2 May 2022
  • The Warriors did away with the Rockets when Curry was cast as a ball handler in the pick-and-roll.
    — The Crossover Staff, SI.com, 4 June 2019
  • Young is wise beyond his years as a pick-and-roll ball handler.
    — Michael Shapiro, SI.com, 26 July 2019
  • The thought is that Shamet can come in and make shots while being a secondary ball handler.
    — Keith Pompey, Philly.com, 7 July 2018
  • And while the Hoosiers add Robert Phinisee this summer, good teams need more than one ball handler.
    — Zach Osterman, Indianapolis Star, 30 May 2018
  • And while the Hoosiers add Robert Phinisee next season, good teams need more than one ball handler.
    — Zach Osterman, Indianapolis Star, 19 Apr. 2018
  • Both of them are nimble enough to roam out to the perimeter to check ball handlers and step away from the paint to knock down jump shots.
    — The Si Staff, SI.com, 16 Feb. 2018
  • Gardiner, the best ball handler of the three, plays on the wing and averages the second-most assists on the team.
    — Alex Vejar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 Feb. 2021
  • But Ingles has looked passive as the pick and roll ball handler.
    — The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Nov. 2021
  • The only two exceptions are if their man cuts or sets a screen for the ball handler.
    — Jeff Greer, The Courier-Journal, 24 Apr. 2018
  • For a team that has long lacked a reliable ball handler off the bench, the Wizards were smart to pick up Rivers.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, SI.com, 26 June 2018
  • But if Calderon falters, Lue may need to play Green as an extra ball handler with the first unit.
    — Joe Vardon, cleveland.com, 22 Apr. 2018
  • As a point guard and a primary ball handler, that’s what is going to help.
    — Brendan Marks, charlotteobserver, 8 Mar. 2018
  • In doing so, though, the team created a logjam in the ball handler spots.
    — Tony East, Forbes, 29 June 2022
  • Hill and Williams switched roles to cap off the 9-0 run as Williams stripped the Selma ball handler and fed Hill upcourt for an easy fast break layup.
    — Mobile Athletics, AL.com, 2 Nov. 2017
  • Brown will join Parks as a key ball handler and athlete, making an impact on both sides of the ball.
    — Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2023
  • The defenders collapse around maybe the strongest ball handler the game has seen.
    — Dan Woike, latimes.com, 15 June 2019
  • The most apparent hole for the Suns in that series was their lack of a solid ball handler and scorer off the bench.
    — Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2022
  • Toronto's attempts to pick up ball handlers 90 feet away from the hoop were futile.
    — Chris Fedor, cleveland.com, 11 May 2018
  • Butler’s star, Shelvin Mack, collapsed on the ball handler at mid-court, ran into him and was called for a hip check.
    — Chris Chase, For The Win, 16 Mar. 2018
  • The ball handler pump fakes, getting the defender to jump in an effort to block or contest a shot.
    — Akeem Glaspie, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Oct. 2021
  • After all, Wade is second on the team in assists and one of the primary ball handlers.
    — Chris Fedor, cleveland.com, 13 Jan. 2018
  • Shifty ball handler with long-term go-to scoring upside.
    — Sean Meagher | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive.com, 6 June 2019
  • In the past year, his overall shooting and being a better ball handler has improved the most.
    — Dallas News, 22 Feb. 2021
  • Williams wants to them to manage that duty with primary ball handler Chris Paul to take the load off him bringing the ball up the floor.
    — Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 30 Sep. 2022
  • Smart turned back the clock and had his players pressuring the inbounds pass in the backcourt and trapping the ball handler along the sideline.
    — Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, 27 Jan. 2020
  • The game had tightened and Thomas is an excellent ball handler and (save for these first two games) foul shooter.
    — Joe Vardon, cleveland.com, 7 Jan. 2018

Some of 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.

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