Helena Frye
The three-point shot, also known as a three-pointer, is a basketball shot or field goal made from beyond the three-point line. The three-point line was first introduced in 1945 at the collegiate level in a game between Columbia and Fordham, but it was not kept as a rule. The American Basketball League (ABL) became the first league to institute the rule in 1961, with the goal of adding excitement to the game and giving smaller players a chance to score. The three-point shot has since become a permanent fixture in the NBA, with the league officially adopting it during the 1979-80 season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Three-point field goal or three-pointer |
| History | First tested in 1945 in a game between Columbia and Fordham. |
| First introduced as a rule by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961. | |
| Adopted by the NBA in the 1979-80 season. | |
| Distance | 23 feet, 9 inches at the top of the key, and 22 feet at the corners. |
| In 3x3, shots from behind the line are worth 2 points, with all other shots worth 1 point. | |
| The NCAA and NAIA arc is 3 feet 4 inches from each sideline. | |
| The shortest point of the 3-point arc to the basket. | |
| Difficulty | Considered the easiest 3-point shot due to its shorter distance and fewer defensive angles. |
| Requires practice due to the need for depth perception and force required to make the shot. |
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What You'll Learn
The three-point shot was first introduced in 1945
The three-point shot was first introduced in a scrimmage basketball game between Columbia and Fordham on February 7, 1945. The game was organized by Oregon coach and then-Columbia doctoral student Howard Hobson, who had been studying the game of basketball over the course of 13 seasons. Hobson believed that the long-distance shot was more exciting and wanted to make it more viable while reducing the advantage of taller players closer to the basket. The three-point line was drawn 21 feet away from the hoop, and Columbia won the game 73-58. Despite this early experiment, the three-point rule was not kept.
The three-point shot was tested two more times at the college level, once in 1958 and once in 1961, before the American Basketball League (ABL) became the first league to implement the shot league-wide in 1961. The ABL commissioner, Abe Saperstein, wanted to add excitement to the game and distinguish the league from the NBA. He and longtime DePaul University coach Ray Meyer selected 25 feet as the right distance from the basket for the three-point line. However, while Saperstein was travelling, the other ABL owners voted to shorten the line to 22 feet.
After the ABL shut down in 1963, the three-point shot was adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League (later known as the Continental Basketball Association) in its 1963-64 season. The shot was then popularized by the American Basketball Association (ABA), which introduced it in its inaugural 1967-68 season. The ABA commissioner, George Mikan, stated that the three-pointer "would give the smaller player a chance to score and open up the defense to make the game more enjoyable for the fans".
In June 1979, the NBA adopted the three-point line for the 1979-80 season, initially on a one-year trial basis. Many at the time considered the three-point shot to be a gimmick, and there was no major shift in the way NBA basketball was played immediately after its introduction. However, in the late 1980s, the three-pointer began to emerge as an important offensive weapon, with players like Danny Ainge, Dale Ellis, and Reggie Miller gaining a reputation as three-point specialists.
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The NBA adopted the three-point shot in 1979
The three-point shot in basketball is called a three-pointer. The NBA adopted the three-point shot in 1979, initially as a one-year trial during the 1979-80 season. The three-point line was 23 feet, 9 inches at the top of the key, and 22 feet at the corners.
The three-point shot was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961, at the direction of ABL commissioner Abe Saperstein, who wanted to add excitement to the game and distinguish the league from the NBA. However, the ABL shut down in 1963, and the three-point shot was then adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL) in the 1963-64 season. The American Basketball Association (ABA) also implemented the shot for its inaugural 1967-68 season, using it as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA.
In 1976, the NBA acquired the ABA but did not immediately implement the three-point shot league-wide. It wasn't until three years later, in June 1979, that the NBA adopted the three-point line. Despite the view of many that it was a gimmick or a novelty act, the NBA introduced the three-point shot to boost the league's popularity. During that inaugural 1979-80 campaign, NBA teams averaged less than three three-point shots per game.
It took time for the three-point shot to gain traction in the NBA. In the early years, it was considered a gimmick or desperation tactic by many teams and players. However, in the late 1980s, the three-pointer began to emerge as an important offensive weapon. Players like Ainge, Dale Ellis, Michael Adams, Vernon Maxwell, and Reggie Miller gained a reputation as three-point specialists. The three-point shot continued to evolve and revolutionize the game, with teams adopting new offensive strategies to take advantage of its scoring potential.
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The three-point shot is the most valuable weapon in modern basketball
The three-point shot, also known as the three-point field goal, has become the most valuable weapon in modern basketball. Its history can be traced back to the 1940s, but it has evolved to dominate the game in recent years.
The three-point shot was first tested in 1945 during a collegiate game between Columbia and Fordham. The idea was conceived by then-Columbia doctoral student Howard Hobson, who believed that long-distance shots would make the game more exciting and wanted to reduce the advantage of taller players near the basket. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that the shot was officially introduced as a rule. In 1961, the American Basketball League (ABL), led by commissioner Abe Saperstein, became the first league to implement the three-point shot with a 25-foot arc. Saperstein aimed to add excitement to the game and give the league a unique feature to distinguish itself from the NBA. Despite initial resistance and concerns about the impact on the team aspect of the game, the three-point shot gradually gained traction.
The American Basketball Association (ABA) played a significant role in popularizing the three-point shot during its inaugural 1967-68 season. ABA commissioner George Mikan shared a similar sentiment to Saperstein, believing that the three-pointer "would give the smaller player a chance to score and open up the defense to make the game more enjoyable for the fans." During the 1970s, the ABA used the three-point shot as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA, showcasing its entertainment value alongside the slam dunk.
It wasn't until the 1979-80 season that the NBA officially adopted the three-point line, initially on a one-year trial basis. Despite early perceptions of the shot as a gimmick or desperation tactic, the three-point shot gradually evolved into a crucial offensive weapon. By the late 1980s, players like Danny Ainge began to embrace the three-pointer, with Ainge becoming the first player to make over 100 three-pointers in a season in 1988.
In recent years, the proliferation of three-point shooting has significantly impacted the modern game. The percentage of three-point shots taken by teams has steadily increased, with the 2019-20 season seeing a notable rise. The influence of players like Stephen Curry, who revolutionized the game by inspiring teams to incorporate the three-point shot as a winning strategy, cannot be overstated. Curry is the NBA's all-time leading scorer in three-point field goals, showcasing the importance of the long-range shot in today's game.
In summary, the three-point shot has become an indispensable weapon in modern basketball. Its ability to add excitement, create scoring opportunities, and level the playing field for smaller players has transformed the way the game is played. While there are ongoing debates about potential adjustments to the three-point line or scoring system, the three-point shot remains a dominant force in the NBA and continues to shape the strategies and outcomes of the game.
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The corner three-point shot is considered the easiest
The three-point shot in basketball was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961, with the goal of adding excitement to the game and giving smaller players a chance to score. Since then, the three-point shot has become an integral part of the sport, with leagues like the NBA adopting it in the 1979-80 season.
Over time, the corner three-point shot has emerged as one of the most important shots in modern basketball. Despite representing a tiny fraction of the jump-shooting areas on the court, corner threes account for a significant percentage of the league's total jump shot attempts. In 2023, they were the most common field goal attempt, after shots at the rim.
The corner three is considered one of the easiest shots because it is marginally shorter than other three-point shots and the player has only to worry about the defense in front and to one side. The backboard can also be used as a guide to line up the shot perfectly. Additionally, corner threes are often left open by defenses, making them valuable and relatively uncontested attempts.
However, some players struggle with corner threes due to a lack of spatial reference with the side of the backboard facing them. The heavy basketball and the force required to shoot from three-point range also pose challenges. Despite these factors, the corner three remains a favored shot for many players and is a key part of NBA offensive strategies.
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The three-point shot was created to add excitement to the game
The three-point shot, also known as a three-pointer, was introduced to add excitement to the game of basketball. The American Basketball League (ABL) was the first to implement the rule in 1961, with commissioner Abe Saperstein hoping that the three-pointer would become basketball's equivalent of the home run in baseball. The three-point shot was seen as a way to add a unique element to the league and set it apart from the more established NBA.
The idea of the three-point shot was not new, with the concept first being tested at the collegiate level in 1945. However, it was Saperstein and longtime DePaul University coach Ray Meyer who decided on the distance of the shot, choosing 25 feet from the basket as the right length. This decision was made without any scientific basis, simply based on the judgment of these two Hall of Fame coaches.
The three-point shot gained further popularity when it was adopted by the American Basketball Association (ABA) in its inaugural 1967-68 season. ABA commissioner George Mikan believed that the three-pointer would "give the smaller player a chance to score and open up the defense to make the game more enjoyable for the fans." During the 1970s, the ABA used the three-point shot as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA, and it has since become a staple of the game.
The NBA initially resisted adopting the three-point shot, viewing it as a gimmick. However, they eventually introduced it during the 1979-80 season, the same season that featured the rookie campaigns of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. The introduction of the three-point shot was expected to revolutionize the way NBA basketball was played, but it took time for it to truly impact the game. It wasn't until the 1990s that teams began to embrace the three-pointer, with the shot now considered the most valuable weapon in modern basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
A 3-point shot in basketball, also known as a three-pointer, is a shot or field goal made from beyond the three-point line.
The three-point shot was first tested at the collegiate level in 1945, but it was not kept as a rule. The American Basketball League (ABL) became the first basketball league to officially institute the rule in 1961.
The three-point shot was introduced to make the game more exciting and to give smaller players a chance to score, opening up the defense and making the game more enjoyable for fans.
