Amanda Knapp
The three-point field goal, or three-pointer, is a fundamental aspect of basketball, with the three-point line being a crucial factor in the game's strategy and scoring. The three-point line is an arc surrounding the basket, with shots made from beyond this line earning three points, compared to the standard two points awarded for field goals within the arc. The distance of this arc varies depending on the competition level, with the NBA, FIBA, WNBA, and NCAA all having different measurements, which have evolved over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| National Basketball Association (NBA) | 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the centre of the basket |
| International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) | 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the centre of the basket |
| National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) | 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) from the centre of the basket |
| National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's and women's | 20 ft. 9 in. (approx. 6.325 m) away from the basket |
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What You'll Learn
Three-point line distance in the NBA
The three-point line distance in the NBA is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 metres) from the centre of the basket. This is measured from the point on the floor directly below the centre of the basket. This measurement is taken at the top of the arc, where the three-point line begins to curve.
The three-point line runs in a straight line from the baseline out to 14 feet, at which point the line begins to curve. This straight line is 22 feet from the centre of the basket. The three-point line then becomes an arc, with the aforementioned measurement of 23 feet 9 inches. This arc remains until the line reaches the other side of the court, 14 feet from the baseline.
The three-point line was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961, with the line set at 25 feet from the basket. 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. The American Basketball Association (ABA) also used the three-point shot in its inaugural 1967-68 season. The NBA experimented with shortening the three-point line in the 1994-95 season, to a distance of 22 feet from the basket.
The three-point line distance varies across different basketball leagues. The FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, and NAIA all use a distance of 6.75 metres (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the centre of the basket. The NFHS uses a distance of 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 metres).
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Three-point line distance in the WNBA
The three-point line distance in the WNBA is 6.75 metres (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the centre of the basket. This is the same distance used in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The three-point line distance varies by competition level. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 metres) from the centre of the basket. 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.
In both the NBA and WNBA, the three-point line is 3 feet (0.91 metres) from the sideline. This means that the distance from the centre of the basket gradually decreases to a minimum of 22 feet (6.7 metres).
A three-point field goal, or three-pointer, is a shot made from beyond the three-point line. A successful attempt is worth three points, while a shot made within the three-point line is worth two points. A player's feet must be completely behind the three-point line at the time of the shot or jump for it to count as a three-point attempt. If the player's feet are on or in front of the line, it is considered a two-point attempt.
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Three-point line distance in the NCAA
The three-point line distance in the NCAA has changed over the years. The NCAA's Southern Conference became the first collegiate conference to use the three-point rule, adopting a 22-foot (6.71-metre) line for the 1980–81 season. Over the next five years, NCAA conferences differed in their use of the rule and the distance required for a three-pointer. The line was as close as 17 feet 9 inches (5.41 metres) in the Atlantic Coast Conference and as far away as 22 feet (6.71 metres) in the Big Sky. The NCAA adopted the rule in April 1986 for the 1986–87 season at 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 metres).
In 2007, the NCAA lengthened the men's distance by a foot to 20 feet 9 inches (6.32 metres), effective with the 2008–09 season, and the women's line was moved to match the men's in 2011–12. The NCAA experimented with the 6.75-metre (22-foot 1.75-inch) FIBA three-point line distance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 2018 and 2019, then adopted that distance for all men's play with a phased conversion that began with Division I in the 2019–20 season. The NCAA announced on June 3, 2021, that the FIBA three-point distance would be extended to the women's game starting in 2021–22.
The three-point line is one of the most valuable shots in college basketball. It is expected that three-point shooting percentages will drop when the line is moved back, but the three-pointer will remain the most valuable shot in the game.
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Three-point line distance in the NAIA
The three-point line in basketball is a designated arc surrounding the basket. A successful shot taken from beyond the three-point line is worth three points, while shots made within the three-point line are worth two points. The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level.
In the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the three-point line is 6.75 metres (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the centre of the basket. This is the same distance used in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and high school basketball.
The NAIA and NCAA arcs are the same distance from the centre of the basket as the FIBA arc. However, the North American court is slightly wider than the FIBA court, so the NAIA and NCAA arcs are 3 feet 4 inches (1.02 metres) from each sideline, compared to 0.9 metres for FIBA.
The NAIA's three-point line distance is slightly further out than the high school basketball distance of 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 metres). The NAIA and other American associations adopted the new NCAA distance of 20 feet 9 inches (6.32 metres) for their respective men's play in the 2019-20 season.
The three-point line distance can significantly impact the gameplay and strategies employed by teams. The NAIA's three-point line distance is designed to challenge players to showcase their long-range shooting abilities and add excitement to the game.
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Three-point line distance in high school basketball
The three-point line in high school basketball is set at 19 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket. This distance is shorter than in college or professional basketball, with the NBA's three-point line being 23 feet 9 inches and the NCAA's being 20 feet 9 inches. The high school three-point line plays a crucial role in shaping the strategies employed by both the offense and defense. With the line being set at a certain distance, teams need to strategically position their players to create open shooting opportunities. This requires players to spread out and find the right spots on the court. By spacing the floor effectively, teams can open up driving lanes and create more scoring opportunities.
The concept of the three-point line was first introduced in professional basketball during the 1967-1968 season by the American Basketball Association (ABA) to differentiate itself from the NBA and add excitement to the game. The NBA adopted the three-point line in the 1979-1980 season, while the NCAA didn't integrate it until 1986 and it didn't arrive in high school basketball until 1987. The distance of the three-point line in high school basketball is standardized across the country by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
The high school three-point line distance may vary slightly between boys' and girls' basketball. Additionally, the layout of the three-point arc is different in high school basketball compared to higher levels. In the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, or NAIA, and FIBA standards, the arc spans the width of the court and then becomes parallel to the sidelines from specific points to the baseline. In American high school standards, the arc spans 180 degrees around the basket and then becomes parallel to the sidelines from the plane of the basket center to the baseline.
The three-point line has become an integral part of basketball at all levels, adding excitement and strategy to the game. Knowing the exact distance of the three-point line is crucial for players and fans as it shapes offensive strategies and determines whether a shot counts as 2 points or a highly coveted 3-pointer. The distance of the three-point line can also impact the spacing of the floor, with players needing to spread out to create open shooting opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
The three-point arc in the NBA is 23 feet and 9 inches (7.24 meters) from the center of the basket.
The three-point arc in FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, and NAIA is 6.75 meters (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the center of the basket.
The three-point arc in high school basketball is 19 feet and 9 inches (6.02 meters) from the center of the basket.
