The NBA could take a strange new turn with startup company Sportstech developing an expansion of the current prediction technology that predicts in advance where a ball will land.

Oregon-based startup founded by Oxford-educated astrophysicist Matt Ginsberg has tested his future-predicting technology at University of Oregon basketball games before plans to put it on the market are realised.

With the help of his son, Ginsberg uses two 4K-resolution cameras to scan the court for shot attempts and track the trajectory of the balls in mid air. The cameras pour data through an intricate series of equations on a computer to instantly determine if the ball will go in or not. The computer will then signal if the shot will go in with either a red or green light.

Ginsberg came up with the idea while watching a volleyball game and claims the technology can apply to any sport with a ball. ESPN has a similar, but far less complicated feature on its NBA broadcasts where the three-point line lights up when a shot outside the arc is attempted. Ginsberg hopes to take this technology to the NBA and already has Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban as an investor.

The new technology could improve the game in many facets, from helping referees make goal-tending calls, making it easier for announcers during broadcasts, or even changing rebounding approaches.

Similar technology is already present in the professional sports landscape with cricket and tennis’ Hawkeye already assisting umpires in both sports to make decisions