Final answer:
In American Sign Language, the instrumental classifier for holding a basketball would be CL:C, but given the options, the closest is CL:5, resembling an open hand grasping a spherical object.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is about American Sign Language (ASL), specifically about instrumental classifiers, which are used to show how an object is being handled or manipulated. The correct instrumental classifier for holding a basketball would be CL:C, mimicking the shape and action of holding a spherical object such as a basketball. However, since this option is not provided in the question, the closest alternative from the given options would be CL:5, as it represents an open hand which could be associated with grasping or holding a large round object like a basketball.