Ayrton Oneill
The three-point line in basketball varies in distance depending on the league and the location on the court. In the NBA, the three-point line is 23.75 feet (7.24 m) from the hoop at the top of the key and 22 feet (6.71 m) in the corners. In the WNBA, the three-point line is 22.15 feet (6.75 m) from the hoop, and 22 feet (6.71 m) in the corners. For international play, the FIBA three-point line is 22.15 feet (6.75 m) from the hoop and 21.65 feet (6.6 m) in the corners. The NCAA three-point line is 20.75 feet (6.32 m) from the hoop. The varying distances of the three-point line affect the shooting percentages of players, with corner three-pointers generally being made at a higher rate than long two-point jumpers of the same distance due to the increased openness of the corner areas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance of corners in the NBA | 22 feet (6.71 meters) |
| Distance of corners in the WNBA | 22 feet (6.71 meters) |
| Distance of corners in FIBA competitions | 21.65 feet (6.6 meters) |
| Distance of corners in NCAA competitions | 20.75 feet (6.32 meters) |
| Distance of corners in high school competitions | 19.75 feet (6 meters) |
| Distance of corners in junior high competitions | 19.75 feet (6 meters) |
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What You'll Learn
- The corner three-pointer is the shortest in the game at 22 feet
- The three-point line varies by league and has changed over time
- The NBA has the largest court dimensions of any basketball league
- FIBA courts are smaller than NBA courts due to metric measurements
- The WNBA uses the FIBA three-point line, except in the corners
The corner three-pointer is the shortest in the game at 22 feet
The corner three-pointer is an important concept in basketball, and it refers to the shortest three-point shot in the game, taken from 22 feet (6.7 metres) away from the basket. This distance is the same for both the NBA and WNBA leagues, with the WNBA adopting the FIBA arc in the corner area.
The three-point line was first introduced in the NBA during the 1979-80 season, and the distance has varied over time. The corner three-pointer was originally 22 feet, but during the 1994-95, 1995-96, and 1996-97 seasons, the NBA shortened the three-point line to a uniform 22 feet around the basket. This change was made to address decreased scoring, but after the 1996-97 season, the line was moved back to its original distance.
The corner three-pointer is often referred to as the "short corner," and it is considered a valuable shot because players are more likely to be open and have a higher chance of making the shot. Research has shown that two-pointers from 22 feet away or further were converted at a lower rate than corner three-pointers, indicating that the corner shot may be an easier option. This could be due to the angle of the shot or how the defence reacts, but it is also suggested that players are simply more open when shooting from the corners.
The dimensions of basketball courts have evolved since the sport's invention in 1892, and while courts may look similar, there are differences between leagues such as the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, FIBA, and high school courts. The NBA and WNBA courts are the largest, measuring 94 feet by 50 feet, while FIBA courts are slightly smaller at 28 metres by 15 metres. High school basketball courts are typically 84 feet by 50 feet, and these variations in court size also affect the positioning and distance of the three-point line.
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The three-point line varies by league and has changed over time
The three-point line in basketball has indeed changed over time and varies by league. The three-pointer was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961, by the league's commissioner, Abe Saperstein. Saperstein wanted to add excitement to the game and give smaller players a chance to compete with taller players. The three-point line was positioned at 25 feet from the basket. However, the ABL only lasted a season and a half, and the three-point rule was not adopted by the NBA until 1979.
The three-point line in the NBA is currently 23 feet 9 inches (7.24m) from the centre of the basket. This is the same for the FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, and NAIA leagues. The corners of the three-point line in the NBA are 22 feet (6.71m) from the centre of the hoop.
The NCAA was the first collegiate conference to adopt the three-point rule, which they did for the 1980-81 season, at a distance of 22 feet (6.71m). Over the following years, the distance varied between conferences, from 17 feet 9 inches (5.41m) to 22 feet (6.71m). In 1986, the NCAA adopted a distance of 19 feet 9 inches (6.02m) for the three-point line, which was first used in the 1986-87 season. This distance was also adopted by the NFHS, as well as elementary and middle schools, in 1987.
In 2007, the NCAA increased the distance of the three-point line for men's basketball to 20 feet 9 inches (6.32m), and in 2011-12, the women's line was moved to match. In the 2019-20 season, the NCAA adopted the FIBA arc of 6.75m (22 feet 1.75 inches) for all men's play, and they planned to experiment with the same distance for women's basketball, although this was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The three-point line in basketball has clearly evolved over time, with leagues experimenting with different distances to find the optimal shot distribution and increase excitement.
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The NBA has the largest court dimensions of any basketball league
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is known for having the largest court dimensions of any basketball league, be it domestic or international. The outer dimensions of an NBA court are 94 feet long by 50 feet wide. The half-court line is halfway between each end line, and in the middle of it is a tip-off circle with a six-foot radius, often featuring the home team's logo. The key, also called "the paint" or "the lane", is 16 feet wide and 19 feet from the baseline to the foul line. The backboard protrudes four feet out from the baseline, and the rim of the basket is 10 feet off the ground.
The NBA court is larger than the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) courts commonly used in Europe, Australia, and the Olympics. FIBA courts are 28 meters long (approximately 92 feet) and 15 meters wide (about 49 feet). The court dimensions for the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) are identical to the NBA's, except for the three-point line, which is 22.15 feet from the center of the hoop, matching the FIBA standard.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball courts are similar to the NBA's, but with some differences. The key in an NCAA court is only 12 feet wide, compared to the NBA's 16 feet. The first box on the side of the key is six feet from the baseline in an NCAA court, compared to seven feet in an NBA court. The restricted area under the basket in an NCAA court is also one foot smaller in diameter than in an NBA court. In terms of length and width, NCAA courts are the same as NBA courts, measuring 94 feet by 50 feet.
High school basketball courts are smaller than NBA courts, measuring 84 feet in length and 50 feet in width.
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FIBA courts are smaller than NBA courts due to metric measurements
Basketball is a sport that is played all over the world. While the basic rules and the premise of the game remain the same, there are some differences in the court dimensions depending on the league and the region. The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball courts are 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) court dimensions are identical to the NBA court, except for the three-point line.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) governs international basketball courts. The FIBA court dimensions are 28 meters long and 15 meters wide, which is slightly smaller than the NBA and NCAA courts. This difference in size is due to the use of different measurement systems. The FIBA courts use the metric system, which is the standard in most parts of the world, while the NBA and NCAA courts use the Imperial system of measurements (feet and inches).
The metric system is based on units of 10, making it a more straightforward and consistent system of measurement. The Imperial system, on the other hand, uses a variety of units such as inches, feet, yards, and miles, which can be more complicated and less standardized. As a result, when converting the FIBA court dimensions from meters to feet, the length of 28 meters becomes 91.86 feet, which is shorter than the NBA's 94 feet. Similarly, the width of 15 meters converts to 49.21 feet, which is slightly narrower than the NBA's 50 feet.
The difference in court sizes between the FIBA and NBA/NCAA courts may not seem like much, but it can affect the gameplay and strategies employed by players and teams. The NBA court provides a slightly larger playing area, which can influence the pace and style of play. The FIBA court, being slightly smaller, may encourage a faster-paced game and require players to adapt their techniques accordingly.
In addition to the overall court size, there are also some variations in specific markings on the court, such as the three-point line and the key. These differences in court dimensions and markings can impact the strategies and shot selections of the players, as well as the overall flow of the game. Despite these variations, the fundamental rules and objectives of the game remain consistent across different leagues and courts, ensuring that basketball remains a dynamic and exciting sport worldwide.
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The WNBA uses the FIBA three-point line, except in the corners
The three-point line in basketball varies depending on the league and level of competition. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has the largest court dimensions, measuring 94 feet by 50 feet. The distance from the basket to the three-point line in the NBA is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 meters), with a slightly shorter distance of 22 feet (6.7 meters) in the corners.
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) uses a court with identical dimensions to the NBA court, except for the three-point line. The WNBA adopted the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) three-point line distance of 6.75 meters (22.15 feet) from the center of the hoop in 2013. This distance is slightly shorter in the corners, measuring 22 feet (6.7 meters) from the center of the basket.
FIBA governs international basketball courts, which are smaller than NBA courts at 28 meters by 15 meters. The FIBA three-point line distance is 6.75 meters (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the center of the basket, with no specific mention of a shorter distance in the corners.
It is worth noting that the three-point line distance in the WNBA was lengthened to match the NBA's corner distance in 2017. This demonstrates the dynamic nature of basketball court dimensions, which have evolved since the sport's invention in 1892.
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Frequently asked questions
The corners in the NBA are 22 feet or 6.71 metres away from the centre of the hoop.
The FIBA corners are 21.65 feet or 6.6 metres from the centre of the hoop.
The WNBA uses the same 3-point line as FIBA, so the corners are 22.15 feet or 6.75 metres from the centre of the hoop.
