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The three-point line has been a feature of basketball since the 1960s, with the American Basketball League (ABL) becoming the first league to institute the rule in 1961. The three-point line was created by Abe Saperstein, the founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, who wanted to give smaller players a chance to compete with their taller opponents. The three-point rule was then adopted by the NBA in 1979, completely changing the way the game was played. Since then, the distance of the three-point line has varied across different leagues and has even been modified within the same league over time, with the NBA shortening the distance to 22 feet from 1994 to 1997, for example.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First introduction of the 3-point line | 1945 |
| First league to include the 3-point line | American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961 |
| Distance of the 3-point line in ABL | 25 feet from the backboard and 22 feet in the corners |
| Introduction of 3-point line in NBA | 1979 |
| Distance of the 3-point line in NBA | 23 feet and 9 inches in the center and 22 feet in the corners |
| Distance of the 3-point line in NCAA | 19 ft 9 in |
| Distance of the 3-point line in FIBA, WNBA, and NAIA | 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) |
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What You'll Learn
The 3-point line was introduced to the NBA in 1979
The 3-point line was introduced to the NBA in the 1979-80 season. The NBA had previously resisted adopting the rule, considering it a gimmick. However, the 3-point shot had been introduced in the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961 by Abe Saperstein, who wanted to give smaller players a chance to compete with their shooting skills. The ABL only lasted a season and a half, but the 3-point shot was later popularized by the American Basketball Association (ABA) in the late 1960s. After the NBA and ABA merged in 1976, the NBA finally adopted the 3-point line in 1979.
The introduction of the 3-point line significantly changed the way basketball is played. Offenses became more spread out, with more space in the paint, allowing players to attack the basket more easily. The 3-point line also increased the importance of shooting skills, giving smaller players a greater opportunity to contribute.
The distance of the three-point line has varied over time. Initially, the NBA adopted a 25-foot arc with a 22-foot arc in the corners, as used in the ABL. However, in 1994, the NBA shortened the 3-point line to a uniform 22 feet from the basket to encourage more long-distance shots. This resulted in a substantial increase in the number of three-point shots taken, with usage increasing by about 70% from 1994 to 1997. The NBA returned the 3-point line to a distance of 23 feet 9 inches for the 1998 season.
The 3-point line has continued to evolve, with modifications made by the NBA to raise the average points per game. The exact distance of the three-point line can vary depending on the competition level and the association. For example, in the NBA, the three-point line is currently set at 23 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket, while in the WNBA, FIBA, and NCAA, the distance is 6.75 meters (22 feet 1.75 inches). The varying distances of the three-point line add an interesting dynamic to the game, challenging players to adapt their shooting skills accordingly.
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The American Basketball League (ABL) was the first league to implement the 3-point line
The ABL only lasted a season and a half, and many basketball purists disliked the "gimmicky" 3-point shot. However, after the league shut down in 1963, the three-point shot was adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League for the 1963-64 season. The American Basketball Association (ABA) also introduced the three-point line in its inaugural 1967-68 season, and the NBA followed suit in 1979.
The three-point line has since become one of the most important rules in basketball, with elite shooters expected to have a high level of efficiency and shooting range. The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies by competition level. In the NBA, the arc is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24m) from the centre of the basket, while in the FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, and NAIA, the distance is 6.75m (22 ft 1.75 in).
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The distance of the 3-point line varies by competition level
The three-point line in basketball has evolved since its introduction in 1961 by the American Basketball League (ABL). The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level, with different arcs and minimum distances specified by various basketball organisations.
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line ranges from 22 feet (6.7 metres) in the corners to 23.75 feet (7.24 metres) behind the top of the key. The NBA first introduced the three-point line in the 1979-80 season, and it has since influenced the way the game is played, with players spreading out and attacking the basket more easily.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) specifies a minimum distance of 0.9 metres (2 feet 11 inches) from the sideline for the three-point arc, resulting in a minimum distance from the centre of the basket of 6.6 metres (21 feet 8 inches) to 6.75 metres (22 feet 1.75 inches). FIBA introduced the three-point line for international play in 1984, and the current measurements were implemented in 2010.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) share the same three-point arc distance from the centre of the basket as FIBA, which is 6.75 metres (22 feet 1.75 inches). However, due to the wider court dimensions in the NCAA and NAIA, the distance from the sideline is slightly different at 3 feet 4 inches (1.02 metres). The NCAA first adopted the three-point line in 1986, and the current distance was implemented in phases starting in 2019 for men's basketball and 2021 for women's basketball.
In high school basketball, the three-point line distance varies as well. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) specifies a distance of 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 metres) from the centre of the basket. In older high school gymnasiums, the arc may be shorter, with distances of 19.75 feet or 18 feet (5.41 metres) mentioned as the minimum distance in some sources. The three-point line was introduced to high school basketball in 1987 or 1988, depending on the source.
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The 3-point line was added to encourage smaller players
The 3-point line was introduced to the NBA in 1979, but its history goes back to the 1960s. The concept of the three-point line was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961, thanks to the efforts of Abe Saperstein, the founder of the Harlem Globetrotters and commissioner of the ABL.
Saperstein's motivation for introducing the 3-point line was to give smaller players a chance to shine. He felt that the game was dominated by taller players, and wanted to create an opportunity for smaller players to contribute with their shooting skills. He envisioned the 3-pointer as basketball's equivalent of a home run in baseball, adding excitement to the game and giving smaller players a chance to compete.
The original distance for the three-point line was set at 25 feet from the basket, but this was later shortened to 22 feet by the ABL owners. Despite this change, Saperstein continued to use the 25-foot distance for the main arc while adding a 22-foot line in the corners, creating "interesting possibilities." The ABL only lasted a season and a half, but the three-point shot lived on, adopted by other leagues like the Eastern Professional Basketball League and popularized by the American Basketball Association (ABA) in their inaugural 1967-68 season.
The NBA's adoption of the 3-point line in 1979 revolutionized the game, encouraging more spread-out offenses and dynamic attacks on the basket. Over time, the three-point shot became increasingly valued, with players like Stephen Curry showcasing its potential as a winning strategy. The introduction of the 3-point line not only changed gameplay but also provided smaller players with an opportunity to excel, achieving the vision that Saperstein had first imagined.
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The NBA modified the 3-point line in the 1990s
The 3-point line is a designated arc surrounding the basket, with the distance from the basket varying across different competitions. In the NBA, the arc is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24m) from the centre of the basket. In the corners, the distance is 22 feet (6.7m) from the centre. The NBA's modification in the 1990s involved redrawing the arcs so that they sat 22 feet away from the basket across the board.
This change had a significant impact on the game, with the average number of 3-point attempts per game increasing drastically. In the 1993-94 season, the average NBA team attempted 9.9 3-pointers per game, and in the following season, this number jumped to 15.3. This modification also benefited individual players, with many players improving their 3-point shooting percentages after the change. For example, Michael Jordan, who was not known for his long-range shooting, made only 30.1% of his 3-point attempts before the modification, but his percentage increased to 40.4% after the line was moved closer to the basket.
Despite the increase in 3-point attempts and improved shooting percentages, the modification failed to produce the intended result of increasing total points per game. Scoring continued to decline even with the shorter 3-point line, as teams focused on running their offences and working for good shots rather than simply taking more 3-pointers. This modification in the 1990s demonstrates the NBA's willingness to experiment with rule changes to promote scoring and excitement, and it set a precedent for future adjustments to the 3-point line to find the optimal balance for the league.
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Frequently asked questions
Since the 1960s. The first experiments with a three-point line occurred in 1945, and the American Basketball League (ABL) officially introduced it in 1961.
The NBA, WNBA, FIBA, NCAA, NAIA, and NFHS all have a 3-point line. The distance of the three-point line varies by league.
The three-point line in the NBA is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 metres) from the centre of the basket and 22 feet (6.7 metres) from the corners.
In the WNBA, FIBA, NCAA, and NAIA, the three-point line is 6.75 metres (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the centre of the basket. In the NFHS, it is 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 metres) from the centre of the basket.
Yes, the distance of the three-point line in the NBA has changed over time. It was introduced in the 1979-80 season at 23 feet 9 inches from the centre and 22 feet from the corners. For the 1994-95 season, it was shortened to a uniform arc of 22 feet from the basket, but it was changed back to 23 feet 9 inches for the 1998 season.
