I bought a kookaburra practice ball and it held together for 5 years, even though the seam had gone, after about 2. And this was from using it for throw downs with my dad, on a asphalt run up (waverly nets in sydney) then rolling it back to him after every ball. During this time, I got a GN practice ball, and it lasted barley 5 practice sessions with my dad. Thank god I don't go to those every nets anymore, worst nets because there are holes at the back with an asphalt run up and the ball sometimes goes onto the road because there is a hill behind it. The bounce is terribly low as well. Anyway, I'm just suggesting that if you buy a good quality ball, it can last you for a while, compared to a cheaper one.