Kristian Ferrell
The three-point shot in basketball was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961. 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), a rival league to the NBA, implemented the three-point shot for its inaugural 1967-68 season and used it as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA. The NBA eventually adopted the three-point line in the 1979-80 season, but it was initially considered a gimmick and took a while to gain widespread acceptance. The three-point shot has since become an integral part of the game, with players like Larry Bird showcasing its potential and teams like the Golden State Warriors embracing a philosophy of taking more three-pointers. The three-point revolution in basketball has been influenced by the influx of international players and the globalisation of the game, with different basketball cultures contributing to the development of the three-point shot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year three-point line was added in the NBA | 1979-1980 season |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in the NBA | 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) at the top of the key and 22 feet (6.7 m) at the corners |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in the FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, NAIA | 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in the NFHS | 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) |
| First player to score a three-point field goal in NBA history | Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics |
| First player to score a three-point field goal in college basketball history | Ronnie Carr of Western Carolina |
| First NBA player to reach 1,000 career three-pointers | Dale Ellis |
| NBA player who surpassed Ellis as the all-time leader in three-pointers in 1997 | Reggie Miller |
| Year the three-point line was introduced in the Olympics | 1988 |
| Year the three-point line was first tested | 1945 |
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What You'll Learn
- The three-point shot was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961
- The Eastern Professional Basketball League adopted the rule in 1963
- The American Basketball Association (ABA) used the three-point shot in its first season in 1967
- The NBA adopted the three-point line in 1979
- The three-point shot made its Olympic debut in 1988
The three-point shot was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961
The three-point shot in basketball was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961. The ABL commissioner, Abe Saperstein, wanted to add excitement to the game and set his league apart from the NBA. He envisioned the three-pointer as basketball's equivalent of a home run in baseball. To determine the distance of the new shot line from the basket, Saperstein and DePaul University coach Ray Meyer measured out a court with tape and settled on 25 feet as the appropriate length.
The ABL ceased operations in 1963, but the three-point shot lived on. It was adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL) in the 1963-64 season and later popularized by the American Basketball Association (ABA) during its inaugural 1967-68 season. The ABA used the three-point shot, along with the slam dunk, as a marketing tool to position itself as a more entertaining alternative to the NBA.
In the 1970s, the NBA was facing dwindling popularity, and it acquired the ABA in 1976. However, the NBA did not immediately embrace the three-point shot, considering it a gimmick. It wasn't until the 1979-80 season that the NBA introduced the three-point line on a one-year trial basis. Initially, the three-point shot had minimal impact in the NBA, with teams taking fewer than three attempts per game during the first five seasons.
Over time, the three-point shot gained acceptance and became an integral part of basketball strategy. The NBA's acquisition of the ABA and eventual adoption of the three-point shot marked a significant step towards unifying rules across professional basketball leagues in the United States. The three-point shot has since become a staple of the game, with players like Larry Bird showcasing its potential and teams embracing it as a strategic element.
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The Eastern Professional Basketball League adopted the rule in 1963
The three-point shot in basketball has an interesting history, with its adoption at different levels of the game occurring at various points in time. The Eastern Professional Basketball League (then known as the Continental Basketball Association) adopted the three-point rule in 1963, following the shutdown of the American Basketball League (ABL) that same year. The ABL had been the first basketball league to introduce the three-point rule in 1961, under the direction of commissioner Abe Saperstein, who wanted to add excitement to the game and set his league apart from the NBA.
The Eastern Professional Basketball League's adoption of the three-point rule in 1963 was significant, as it helped to further popularise the concept of the three-pointer. In the league's 1963-64 season, teams were able to experiment with the new rule, which allowed them to take shots from beyond the arc and score three points instead of the usual two. This added a new dimension to the game, as it gave players a chance to score more points with a single shot and encouraged more strategic gameplay.
The adoption of the three-point rule by the Eastern Professional Basketball League also influenced other leagues to consider adopting the rule. One such league was the American Basketball Association (ABA), which introduced the three-point line in its inaugural 1967-68 season. The ABA's commissioner, George Mikan, shared a similar vision 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."
The ABA effectively utilised the three-point shot, along with the slam dunk, as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA during the 1970s. This rivalry between the two leagues showcased the entertainment value of the three-point shot and contributed to its growing popularity. However, it was not until 1979 that the NBA officially adopted the three-point line, initially on a one-year trial basis for the 1979-80 season. Despite initial resistance and concerns that it was a gimmick, the three-point shot gradually gained acceptance and utilisation within the NBA, eventually becoming a permanent fixture of the league.
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The American Basketball Association (ABA) used the three-point shot in its first season in 1967
The three-point shot in basketball was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961. The ABL shut down in 1963, and the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL) adopted the three-point shot in the 1963-64 season. However, it was the American Basketball Association (ABA) that truly popularized the three-pointer, implementing it in its inaugural 1967-68 season.
The ABA was a men's professional basketball major league that existed from 1967 to 1976. Dealing with dwindling popularity, the NBA acquired the ABA in 1976, resulting in four ABA teams joining the NBA. The NBA, however, did not immediately adopt the three-point shot league-wide. It was first introduced on a one-year trial basis during the 1979-80 season, the same year that Magic Johnson and Larry Bird entered the league as rookies. The three-point shot has since become a permanent feature of the NBA.
During the 1970s, the ABA employed the three-point shot, along with the slam dunk, as a marketing strategy to compete with the NBA. The ABA's ninth and final season concluded in the spring of 1976. ABA commissioner George Mikan, an NBA great himself, 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." The three-point shot also fit well with the ABA's style of play, which was known for its wide-open, flashy offensive style.
The introduction of the three-point shot in the NBA was expected to bring about a fundamental shift in the way the game was played. Franklin Mieuli, the then-owner of the Golden State Warriors, opposed the rule change, predicting that the NBA would suffer a fate similar to the ABA. However, during the inaugural 1979-80 campaign, NBA teams averaged less than three three-point shots per game, indicating a slow adoption of the new rule. It wasn't until the 1990s, when the Chicago Bulls won three consecutive titles with a slower, more deliberate style of offense, that teams began to prioritize efficient shot attempts over high-tempo, fast-paced offenses.
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The NBA adopted the three-point line in 1979
The NBA's adoption of the three-point line in 1979 was a pivotal moment in the evolution of basketball, adding new dimensions of strategy and excitement to the game. Initially, the NBA was hesitant to embrace the three-point rule, introduced first by the rival league American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1967. The NBA viewed the three-pointer as a gimmick, but after acquiring the ABA in 1976, it implemented the three-point line in the 1979-1980 season, albeit on a one-year trial basis.
The three-point line in the NBA was set at 23 feet 9 inches at the top of the key, shortening to 22 feet at the corners. In the early years, its impact was minimal, with teams taking fewer than three three-point attempts per game and making only 26% of them. It took time for the rule to be widely accepted and for teams to adjust their strategies. The three-point shot gradually gained popularity, with players like Larry Bird showcasing its potential and revolutionising the game.
The introduction of the three-point line added a new strategic element to the game. It gave smaller players a chance to contribute significantly, levelling the playing field between teams with varying talent levels. Over time, the three-point shot became an integral part of offensive schemes, with teams embracing a more fluid and aesthetically pleasing style of play. The rule change also sparked a three-point revolution, with teams increasingly relying on three-pointers and prioritising efficient shot attempts.
The impact of the three-point line extended beyond the NBA, influencing basketball at various levels. The sport's international governing body, FIBA, introduced the three-point line in 1984, and it made its Olympic debut in 1988. The three-point shot has since become a staple in basketball, with its adoption across different leagues and competitions, shaping the way the game is played and strategised.
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The three-point shot made its Olympic debut in 1988
The three-point shot in basketball was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961. The ABL commissioner, Abe Saperstein, wanted to add excitement to the game and differentiate it from the NBA. He believed that the three-pointer would become basketball's equivalent of the home run in baseball. Saperstein, along with DePaul University coach Ray Meyer, decided on a distance of 25 feet from the basket for the three-point line. However, the ABL shut down in 1963, and the three-point shot was then adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL) for the 1963-64 season.
The three-point shot gained popularity when it was introduced by the American Basketball Association (ABA) during its inaugural 1967-68 season. The ABA used the three-point shot, along with the slam dunk, as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA. 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."
It wasn't until June 1979 that the NBA officially adopted the three-point line for the 1979-80 season, initially on a one-year trial basis. Many considered it a gimmick at the time. The three-point shot then made its Olympic debut in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea, four years after the sport's international governing body, FIBA, introduced it in 1984 at a distance of 20 feet and six inches.
The inclusion of the three-point shot in the Olympics further elevated its significance and impact on the sport. It not only added a new layer of strategy and excitement to the game but also provided opportunities for players of varying sizes and skill sets to excel. The three-point shot has since become an integral part of basketball, with its debut in the Olympics marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
The three-point shot was first introduced in 1961 by the American Basketball League (ABL). 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 three-point shot in its inaugural 1967-68 season.
The NBA first introduced the three-point line in the 1979-80 season, initially on a one-year trial basis.
The three-pointer was initially seen as a gimmick by many in the NBA, and it had minimal impact on the game during its first few seasons. It took time for the three-point shot to gain wider acceptance and utilization.
The three-point shot has revolutionized basketball by bringing a new level of excitement and strategy to the game. It has democratized scoring, allowing players of all sizes to contribute significantly. Additionally, it has led to innovative offensive schemes that prioritize ball movement and spacing, creating a more fluid and aesthetically pleasing style of play.
