Start with a plain, un-iced cupcake, either store-bought or homemade. Heat up a package of orange melting candy on the stovetop or in your microwave and transfer to a small bowl. Dip the surface of the plain cupcake into the warm liquid candy. While the candy is still soft on the surface, dip the cupcake into a second bowl filled with orange nonpareils. This will give the surface of the cupcake the textured look of a real basketball. 

Every basketball needs stitching, so use black icing in a small piping bag to create the stitching across the surface of the cupcake. A life-like and delicious sweet treat--perfect for Dad Day!