This paper describes an experimental study of the drag force experienced by a stationary smooth sphere placed in a boundary layer type gradient flow. The test sphere was kept close to as well as away from the boundary. Both smooth and rough boundary conditions were studied. The Reynolds number varied in the range of 3.62 x 103to 6.45 x 104while the relative size defined as the ratio of sphere diameter to the nominal thickness of the boundary layer varied from 0.29 to 1.0. Notwithstanding its variation with the relative size, the drag coefficient-Reynolds number function in the present study is closer to that of a sphere falling freely through infinite fluid and appreciably below that for a sphere rolling allong smooth and rough boundaries.