opening tip ?
 

jumper A1 taps the jump ball to begin the game...the ball is tapped fairly hard and it travels a distance toward A1's basket in the air without touching the floor or any non-jumper. A1 is then the first to contact the ball when he catches up to it by tapping it to the floor, beginning a dribble. I think this is a violation by A1, but I can't back it up with a rule reference. The rule says the jumper shall not catch the jump ball.

6-3-7 view jump ball restriction ends...

since it didnt touch the floor, the 8 nonjumpers, a basket, or backboard, and A1 caught the ball, it is a violation. RE-jump

Legal. Rule references are 4-28-3 and 6-3-7.

if a violation is the ruling, you're not going to re-jump

THE BALL DID NOT TOUCH the 8-non jumpers, floor, a basket, or backboard. It is illegal to catch its own jump ball.

Re-read the OP. Jumper didn't catch it.

Legal play, as per rule 6-3-7. A1 did not violate any of the provisions of that article. A1 didn't leave the center circle until after his first touch, didn't catch the ball, and he didn't touch the ball more than twice before the jump ball ended by touching the floor.

Thanks - I misread the OP!!!

Now, if he tapped it twice from the center circle, then caught up to it and tapped it again to start a dribble....