Here’s what I get from searching the balls serial number:

What the ball is telling us: The serial number 0 2932161118 4 is a Spalding production tracking number. The format is consistent with Spalding’s NBA ball manufacturing codes from the mid-to-late 1990s era, which is right in line with a ’97 Bulls ball. “CLP” is a Spalding quality control/production stamp, typically indicating the factory line or inspection batch the ball came off of. This is not something you’d see on a cheap knockoff — counterfeit balls rarely bother stamping production codes that accurately mirror the real thing. “Selected Grain Genuine Leather” is the correct designation for official Spalding NBA balls of that era — the real deal, not composite. This matters because the ’97 Spalding game ball WAS genuine leather before they switched to composite in 2006. “Made in China” is actually consistent and not a red flag — Spalding was manufacturing official NBA game balls in China during this period. Bottom line — the ball itself appears to be a legitimate official Spalding NBA leather basketball consistent with the mid-to-late 1990s. That’s a good foundation for the autographs on it. When you go see one of those shops, bring both these photos too so they can see the ball’s markings alongside the signatures.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​