Helena Frye
The three-point line in basketball is a designated arc surrounding the basket, and a successful attempt from beyond this line is worth three points. The distance of the three-point line varies depending on the league and level of play. For example, the three-point line in the NBA is 23 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket, while in the WNBA, it is 22 feet 1.75 inches. In college basketball, the three-point line distance can vary between conferences, with the Atlantic Coast Conference line being as close as 17 feet 9 inches and the Big Sky Conference line being 22 feet. The FIBA court used in international competitions has a three-point line that is 22.15 feet from the top of the key and 22 feet from the corner. These differences in three-point line distances present a significant adjustment for shooters transitioning between different levels of play and leagues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in the NBA | 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the centre of the basket |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, NAIA | 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the centre of the basket |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in NFHS | 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) from the centre of the basket |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in college basketball | 20 ft 9 in |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in high school | 19 ft 9 in |
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What You'll Learn
Three-point line distances vary across leagues
The three-point line distance varies across different basketball leagues. The NBA and WNBA courts are 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. The three-point line in the NBA is 23 feet and 9 inches from the basket, with a minimum distance of 22 feet from the center. The WNBA's three-point line is shorter at 22.15 feet at the top of the key and 22 feet in the corner.
The NCAA three-point line is currently 22 feet and 1 and 3/4 inches, which is the same distance used in international formats. The distance was extended in 2019 from 20 feet and 9 inches, which had been the norm since 2007. The NCAA arc is the same distance from the center of the basket as the FIBA arc but is 3 feet and 4 inches from each sideline because the North American court is slightly wider.
In FIBA competitions, the court is shorter and narrower at 91.86 feet long and 49.21 feet wide. The three-point line is 22.15 feet from the hoop.
The three-point line distance also varies at the high school level, with some sources stating that it is 180 degrees around the basket, while others state that it is 20 feet and 9 inches from the center.
The difference in three-point line distances across leagues can significantly impact shooters as they transition between different levels of play, such as from college to professional basketball.
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The WNBA and NCAA women's three-point line distance
The three-point line distance is one of the biggest adjustments for shooters transitioning from college basketball to the WNBA. The three-point line in the WNBA is 22.15 feet at the top of the key and 22 feet in the corner. In comparison, the NCAA women's three-point line was moved to 22 feet, 1.75 inches in 2019 to match the men's distance, after previously varying between conferences with a minimum of 17 feet 9 inches and a maximum of 22 feet.
The WNBA court dimensions are identical to the NBA court, except for the three-point line. The WNBA's three-point line is shorter than the NBA's, which is 23 feet 9 inches. The WNBA's three-point line is also different from the FIBA court used in international competitions, where the three-point line is 22.15 feet from the hoop.
The impact of moving the three-point line back in women's college basketball was debated, with some players and analysts believing it would not significantly affect the game. However, data showed a decrease in three-point accuracy and a slight drop in the share of shots taken from three-point range.
The NCAA had planned to experiment with the FIBA arc in women's postseason events in 2019-20, but these events were ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NCAA announced in 2021 that the FIBA three-point distance would be extended to the women's game starting in the 2021-22 season.
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The three-point line in high school basketball
The three-point line in basketball is an arc at a set radius from the point on the floor directly below the centre of the basket. In the NBA, the WNBA, NCAA, NAIA, and FIBA standards, the arc spans the width of the court until it is a specified minimum distance from each sideline.
In high school basketball, the three-point line is set at 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 metres) from the basket. This is shorter than the three-point line in the NBA, which is set at 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 metres) from the centre of the basket. The distance of the three-point line varies by competition level, with the WNBA and FIBA adopting a distance of 6.75 metres (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the centre of the basket.
The distance of the three-point line can vary depending on the size of the court and the age of the gymnasium. Older high school basketball courts built before standardised rules regarding court sizes may have narrower markings, resulting in less space behind the three-point arc. As a result, players may have less room to shoot, and the three-point line may be marked closer than the suggested minimum distance.
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The three-point line in the NBA
The three-point line in basketball is a designated arc surrounding the basket. A successful shot made from beyond this arc is worth three points. The three-point line was first tested at the collegiate level in 1945, with a 21-foot line, in a game between Columbia and Fordham. However, it was not kept as a rule. In 1961, the American Basketball League (ABL) became the first basketball league to officially institute the rule. The National Basketball Association (NBA) adopted the three-point line in 1979, initially on a one-year trial basis.
The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level. In the NBA, the arc is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 meters) from the center of the basket. This distance is greater than in other leagues such as the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), where the arc is 22 feet (6.71 meters) from the center. The difference in three-point line distances between different levels of basketball, such as high school, college, and professional, can be a significant adjustment for shooters as they progress in their careers.
The three-point shot has evolved from being considered a gimmick or desperation tactic in its early years to becoming an essential offensive weapon in the modern game. Players like Danny Ainge, Dale Ellis, and Reggie Miller gained reputations as three-point specialists, and the shot has become an integral part of NBA strategy.
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The FIBA three-point line
The FIBA court and three-point line differ from U.S. courts and lines because FIBA uses the metric system, while U.S. courts use Imperial measurements (feet and inches). The FIBA three-point line is also defined by its minimum distance from the sideline, which is specified by FIBA as 0.9 meters (2 feet 11 inches). This results in a minimum distance from the center of the basket of 6.6 meters (21 feet 8 inches).
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Frequently asked questions
The 3-point line in the NBA is 23 feet and 9 inches from the center of the basket.
The 3-point line in the WNBA is 22 feet and 1.75 inches from the center of the basket.
The NCAA three-point line is 20 feet and 9 inches from the center of the basket. However, this distance was increased to 22 feet and 1.75 inches in 2019.
The 3-point line in high school basketball is 19 feet and 9 inches from the center of the basket.
