Barack Obama without a basketball?

His press secretary says there are very few days he doesn't see the commander in chief either handling or dribbling a basketball at some point.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs says playing ball helps Obama get exercise and relieve stress. Gibbs says that when Obama plays, he can think about something different _ even if only for a short time.

Basketball has been a part of Obama's life since he was a kid growing up in Hawaii. A big part of life even today, as Gibbs sees it.

Gibbs spoke on CNN's "State of the Union."