Sharing moves to basketballs

Basketball players in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, can now enjoy the sport without bringing a ball, thanks to a new basketballsharing service.

A trade company has introduced lockers with basketballs at the city’s public and campus courts.

Users can borrow and return a basketball through the company’s WeChat account after paying a deposit of 29 yuan ($4.20). A basketball costs 1.5 yuan for half an hour, according to a report by Beijing Youth Daily.

The lockers are equipped with a camera to keep an eye on the basketball checkout process. Each step from getting the ball to returning it is filmed.

According to the company, the lockers can also hold personal items for users, who can open them at any time by clicking a button on the WeChat account. The instructions on the lockers have a list of common questions, such as “Can I let other people return the basketball for me?”

A photo of the lockers was posted on social media, which intrigued many netizens.

“It’s troublesome to bring your own basketball. With the service, you can rent a ball near the court when you want to play and don’t need to be burdened by anything if you want to go somewhere else,” one Weibo user wrote.

A company employee said the pilot project is going well in Jiaxing, and the service will soon be expanded to other cities.