Kristian Ferrell
The three-point field goal, also known as the three-pointer, is a shot made from beyond the three-point line in a basketball game. The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level. For example, in the NBA, the arc is 23 feet 9 inches from the centre of the basket, while in other leagues such as the FIBA, WNBA, and NCAA, the distance is slightly shorter at 22 feet 1.75 inches. The three-pointer has become an integral part of the game, with its popularity skyrocketing in college basketball since its introduction in 1987. The introduction of the three-point shot has added excitement to the game and has been used as a marketing tool by leagues such as the ABA to compete with the NBA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in the NBA | 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, NAIA | 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) |
| Current college three-point distance | 20 ft 9 in (6.32 m) |
| Three-point distance in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the 1980s | 17 ft 9 in (5.41 m) |
| Three-point distance in the Big Sky Conference in the 1980s | 22 ft (6.71 m) |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in the NCAA in 1986 | 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) |
| Initial distance chosen by Abe Saperstein | 25 ft (7.62 m) |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in the ABL | 22 ft (6.71 m) |
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What You'll Learn
History of the three-point rule
The three-point rule in basketball has a long and fascinating history, evolving from its early experimental days to becoming a staple of the modern game. Here is a detailed account of the history of the three-point rule:
The Early Experiments (1945-1962)
The concept of the three-point shot was first tested at the collegiate level in 1945, with a game between Columbia and Fordham featuring a 21-foot line. This idea was revisited in 1958, this time with a 23-foot line, in a game between St. Francis (NY) and Siena. The notion of a three-point line continued to gain interest, and in 1961, Boston University and Dartmouth played an experimental game where all field goals counted as three points. The following year, in 1962, the head coach of St. Francis (NY), Daniel Lynch, once again proposed the idea of a three-point line to the New York Basketball Writers Association.
The American Basketball League (1961)
Abe Saperstein, commissioner of the newly formed American Basketball League (ABL), wanted to add excitement to the game and differentiate it from the NBA. In 1961, the ABL became the first basketball league to officially introduce the three-point rule, with a 25-foot arc and 22-foot arc at the corners. Unfortunately, the ABL shut down in 1963, but its legacy in pioneering the three-point rule lived on.
Adoption by Other Leagues (1963-1976)
Following the closure of the ABL, the Eastern Professional Basketball League adopted the three-point shot for its 1963-64 season. However, it was the American Basketball Association (ABA) that truly popularized the three-point rule, introducing it in their inaugural 1967-68 season. ABA commissioner George Mikan believed the three-pointer would "give the smaller player a chance to score and open up the defense to make the game more enjoyable for fans." During the 1970s, the ABA used the three-pointer as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA.
The NBA Adoption (1979)
Despite initial resistance and skepticism, the National Basketball Association (NBA) eventually adopted the three-point line for the 1979-80 season, influenced by the merging of the ABA and NBA in 1976. This adoption was initially on a one-year trial basis, with the line set at 23 feet 9 inches in the center and 22 feet in the corners. Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics made NBA history by sinking the league's first three-pointer on October 12, 1979.
Collegiate and NCAA Adoption (1980s)
The three-point rule continued to gain traction, with the NCAA's Southern Conference becoming the first collegiate conference to adopt the rule for the 1980-81 season, with a 22-foot line. Over the next few years, different NCAA conferences experimented with varying distances for the three-point line. In 1986, the NCAA officially adopted the three-point rule for the 1986-87 season, setting the distance at 19 feet 9 inches. This rule was first used in the NCAA tournament in March 1987, revolutionizing collegiate basketball.
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Distance in the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) first adopted the three-point line in June 1979 for the 1979-80 season, initially on a one-year trial basis. The distance from the basket to the three-point line in the NBA is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 metres) from the centre of the basket. This distance is further than in other basketball competitions such as the WNBA, FIBA, and the NCAA, where the distance is 6.75 metres (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the centre of the basket.
The three-point shot was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961, with ABL commissioner Abe Saperstein and coach Ray Meyer selecting 25 feet (7.62 metres) as the initial distance. However, this was soon shortened to 22 feet (6.71 metres) by the other ABL owners. After the ABL ceased operations in 1963, the three-point shot was adopted by other leagues, such as the Eastern Professional Basketball League and the American Basketball Association (ABA). The latter played a significant role in popularising the three-point shot, using it as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA during the 1970s.
The three-point shot has evolved over time, with the NBA adopting it after several years of success in other leagues. The distance of the three-point line has been a subject of experimentation, with the NCAA moving the line back to 20 feet 9 inches (6.32 metres) for the 2019-2020 season, and then further back to 22 feet 1.75 inches (6.75 metres) for the 2022-2023 season. This change was made to encourage more long-range shooting and to open up the defence, making the game more exciting for fans.
The three-point shot has become an integral part of basketball strategy, with players and teams developing specific plays and strategies to maximise their scoring opportunities from beyond the arc. The popularity of the three-point shot has grown significantly since its introduction, and it continues to be a focal point of the game in the modern era.
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Distance in the NCAA
The distance required for a three-pointer in the NCAA has changed over time. The NCAA's Southern Conference was the first collegiate conference to use the three-point rule, adopting a 22-foot (6.71 m) line for the 1980–81 season. Over the following years, NCAA conferences differed in their use of the rule and the distance required, with the three-point line as close as 17 ft 9 in (5.41 m) in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The three-point line was adopted by the NCAA in April 1986 for the 1986–87 season at 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m). The 2009 season saw the three-point line extended for the first time since its introduction, resulting in an immediate drop-off in three-point performance.
In 2019, the NCAA moved the three-point line back a foot to 20 feet 9 inches (6.32 m) for the 2019-2020 basketball season. This change was made to bring the NCAA three-point line closer to the FIBA three-point line, which is 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the center of the basket. The 2019 change also aimed to standardize the three-point distance across all competition levels, including the NBA, where the arc is 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m) from the center of the basket.
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Distance in high school
The distance required for a three-pointer in high school basketball is shorter than that of college and professional leagues. In the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the three-point line is 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 metres) from the centre of the basket. This is the same distance used in elementary and middle schools.
High school basketball courts are 84 feet long and 50 feet wide, which is a full 10 feet shorter than college and professional courts. The basket is 10 feet off the ground, and the foul line is 15 feet from the backboard. The tip-off circle has a radius of 6 feet, and the key is 19 feet long.
The three-point line was first introduced to high school basketball in 1987, one year after the NCAA. The line was moved closer for three seasons in the 1990s to boost scoring but was quickly returned to its original distance.
The three-point shot was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961, with the line initially set at 25 feet. The ABL shut down in 1963, and the three-point shot was then adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League for the 1963-64 season. It was also popularised by the American Basketball Association (ABA) in its inaugural 1967-68 season. The NBA finally adopted the three-point line in the 1979-80 season, and the NCAA followed suit in 1986.
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Impact on college basketball
The three-point rule in basketball has had a significant impact on the sport, especially in college basketball. The three-pointer was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961 to add excitement to the game and differentiate it from the NBA. The initial distance for the three-point line was set at 25 feet, but it was later shortened to 22 feet. The three-point shot gained popularity when it was adopted by the American Basketball Association (ABA) in their inaugural 1967-68 season, and it has since become a staple in basketball, including college basketball.
In college basketball, the three-point line has undergone several changes over the years. The NCAA's Southern Conference was the first to adopt the three-point rule for the 1980-81 season, with a line of 22 feet. During the following years, different NCAA conferences had varying distances for the three-pointer, ranging from 17 feet 9 inches to 22 feet. The NCAA officially adopted the three-pointer for the 1986-87 season, standardizing the distance at 19 feet 9 inches.
The introduction of the three-pointer in college basketball significantly impacted the game. It became one of the most valuable shots, offering a higher expected value compared to two-pointers and free throws. Over time, the popularity of the three-point shot grew, with teams attempting and making more three-pointers per game. From 1987 to 2014, Division I teams averaged 5.8 made three-pointers on 16.6 attempts per game. In recent years, the average has increased to 7.3 made three-pointers on 20.9 attempts per game.
To adapt to the changing landscape of college basketball, the NCAA voted to move the three-point line back to 20 feet 9 inches for the 2019-2020 season, aiming to balance the impact of the three-pointer. This change had an immediate effect on three-point performance, with a drop-off in made and attempted three-pointers per game. However, the three-pointer remains a crucial element of college basketball strategy, with coaches adjusting their tactics to accommodate the new line.
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Frequently asked questions
The three-point line in the NBA is 23 feet and 9 inches (7.24 metres) from the centre of the basket.
The three-point line in the WNBA is 22 feet and 1.75 inches (6.75 metres) from the centre of the basket.
The three-point line in college basketball is 20 feet and 9 inches from the basket. This was changed from 19 feet and 9 inches in 2019.
The three-point line for high school students is 19 feet and 9 inches from the basket.
