Kristian Ferrell
The three-point shot was first introduced in the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961 by Abe Saperstein, the founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, who wanted to add excitement to the game and give smaller players a chance to compete. After the ABL shut down in 1963, the three-point shot was adopted by other leagues, including the NBA in 1979, and has since become an integral part of the game, with teams shooting twice as many threes as they did a decade ago.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First league to institute the three-point rule | American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961 |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in ABL | 25 feet |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in NBA | 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the center of the basket; 22 feet (6.71 m) at the corners |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, NAIA | 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the center of the basket |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in NFHS | 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) from the center of the basket |
| First collegiate conference to use the three-point rule | NCAA's Southern Conference |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in NCAA's Southern Conference | 22 feet (6.71 m) |
| First NBA three-point shot | Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics on October 12, 1979 |
| Average number of three-point attempts per game in the NBA in the 1980s | Less than 5 |
| Average number of three-point attempts per game in the NBA now | 37.5 |
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What You'll Learn
- The three-point shot was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961
- The three-point shot was adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League in the 1963-64 season
- The three-point shot was popularized by the American Basketball Association (ABA) in the 1967-68 season
- The NBA adopted the three-point line in the 1979-80 season
- The three-point shot has evolved to become the most valuable weapon in modern basketball
The three-point shot was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961
The three-point line in the ABL was set at 25 feet from the basket, determined by Saperstein and DePaul University coach Ray Meyer, who measured the distance on a court with tape. The ABL only lasted one full season, 1961-1962, and part of the next, before it folded on December 31, 1962. However, it left a lasting impact on the game of basketball by introducing the three-point shot.
After the ABL disbanded, the three-point shot was adopted by other leagues, including the Eastern Professional Basketball League in the 1963-1964 season and the American Basketball Association (ABA) in its inaugural 1967-1968 season. The ABA used the three-point shot as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA, and it eventually caught on, with the NBA adopting the three-point line in the 1979-1980 season. Over time, the three-point shot revolutionized the game, changing scoring strategies and creating a new era of long-range shooting in basketball.
Today, the three-point shot is an integral part of basketball strategy at all levels, from high school to the professional leagues. The distance of the three-point line varies depending on the competition level, with the NBA and WNBA using a distance of 23 feet 9 inches, and other organizations using distances between 19 feet 9 inches and 22 feet 1.75 inches. The three-point shot has evolved from its introduction in the ABL in 1961 to become a fundamental element of modern basketball, showcasing the evolution of the sport and the ongoing pursuit of exciting, dynamic gameplay.
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The three-point shot was adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League in the 1963-64 season
The three-point shot was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961. However, it was the Eastern Professional Basketball League that popularised the rule, adopting it in the 1963-64 season, shortly after the ABL shut down. The three-point line was drawn at 25 feet from the basket.
The three-point shot was then taken up by the American Basketball Association (ABA) in its first season in 1967-68. The ABA commissioner, George Mikan, believed that the three-point shot would be a way to give smaller players a better chance of scoring and make the game more entertaining for fans.
Despite initial resistance, the three-point shot was eventually adopted by the NBA in 1979 for the 1979-80 season. It was first seen as a gimmick and a threat to the team aspect of the game, and it took around 40 years for it to truly revolutionise the sport. However, the NBA did briefly shorten the three-point line in 1994 to 22 feet to encourage more three-point shots and increase scoring. But when this failed to solve the problem of slow play and low scores, the three-point line was returned to its original position for the 1997-98 season.
The three-point shot has now become an integral part of basketball, with teams shooting twice as many threes as they did 10 years ago and almost three times as many as 20 years ago.
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The three-point shot was popularized by the American Basketball Association (ABA) in the 1967-68 season
The three-point shot in basketball was popularized by the American Basketball Association (ABA) during its inaugural 1967-68 season. The three-point shot was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961, but the ABA helped to popularize it and used the shot, along with the slam dunk, as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA.
The three-point shot was introduced to add excitement to the game. ABL commissioner Abe Saperstein wanted to distinguish the league from the NBA, and ABA commissioner George Mikan stated that the three-point shot "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 was first tested at the collegiate level in 1945, with a 21-foot line, in a game between Columbia and Fordham, but it was not kept as a rule. There were also one-game experiments in 1958 and 1961, with varying line distances, before the ABL became the first league to implement the shot league-wide in 1961.
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 the 1963-64 season. The ABA then introduced the shot in 1967, and it used the shot for its final season in the spring of 1976.
The NBA did not adopt the three-point line until the 1979-80 season, initially on a one-year trial basis. The three-point shot has since become a staple of the modern game, with teams now averaging about 37.5 three-pointers per game.
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The NBA adopted the three-point line in the 1979-80 season
The three-point line was adopted by the NBA for the 1979-80 season, initially on a one-year trial basis. The Boston Celtics' Chris Ford made the first three-point shot in NBA history on October 12, 1979. The three-point shot was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961, under the direction of ABL commissioner Abe Saperstein. Saperstein wanted to add excitement to the game and differentiate it from the NBA.
The NBA's adoption of the three-point line in the 1979-80 season marked a significant shift in basketball strategy and gameplay. Prior to the introduction of the three-point line, most points were scored near the basket, with offenses focusing on easy layups or hook shots. Teams averaged less than five three-point attempts per game, as the strategy was to shoot from closer range to increase the likelihood of scoring two points.
The introduction of the three-point line changed the way players and teams approached the game. It encouraged the development of long-distance shooting skills, and the number of three-point attempts gradually increased over time. By the 1994-95 season, the NBA had set records in league-wide makes, attempts, and efficiency of three-point shooting. However, the increase in three-point shooting did not immediately solve the issue of low scoring, as teams continued to play at a slower pace. It took several decades for three-point shooting to truly revolutionize the game, with players like Anthony Davis embracing the long-range shooting style.
The 1979-80 season also marked the NBA debut of several notable players, including Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, who entered the league in the same rookie class. Bird, known for his exceptional three-point shooting, made an impact in his debut season, hitting 58 three-pointers in 143 attempts across 82 games. His teammate Chris Ford, who made the first NBA three-pointer, had an even higher success rate, with 70 three-pointers in 73 games.
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The three-point shot has evolved to become the most valuable weapon in modern basketball
The adoption of the three-point shot by the NBA in 1979 marked a significant turning point. Initially, it had minimal impact, but over time, it revolutionized the game, leading to more spaced-out offenses and facilitating attacks on the basket. The NBA even shortened the three-point line in the 1994-95 season to encourage more three-point attempts and address a lack of scoring.
The three-point shot has faced some criticism, with concerns that it may be turning the game in an unfavourable direction. However, data suggests that shooting more three-pointers has been a successful strategy, with teams that attempted the most three-pointers winning 52% of the time between 2004-05 and 2018-19. The increase in three-point attempts has also impacted other aspects of the game, such as reducing the number of mid-range shots and changing the way teams defend.
Despite the criticisms and efforts to limit three-point attempts, the three-point shot remains a dominant force in modern basketball. Its ability to change the outcome of a game and the strategic considerations it brings have made it an essential weapon in a team's arsenal. The evolution of the three-point shot has shaped the modern game, and its influence is set to continue as players become even more skilled at deep shots.
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Frequently asked questions
The three-point rule was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961.
After the ABL shut down in 1963, the Eastern Professional Basketball League adopted the three-point rule for its 1963-64 season.
The NBA adopted the three-point rule in 1979 for the 1979-80 season.
