noun

• A shot which misses the basket and backboard entirely.

  ‘He hustled to the last, though, and shot an air ball, missing basket, board and all, as the horn sounded.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘When she didn't take a shot until five minutes into the game and later shot an air ball, no one faulted her.’
  • ‘Sloppy would be the most accurate word to describe the mess of air balls, blown layups and turnovers.’
  • ‘As nice as Ben was, he threw up one of the most astounding air balls from the line we've ever seen.’
  • ‘He was the good-natured guy who shot all those air balls and then sank a perfect basket.’