Helena Frye
The three-point line in basketball is a designated arc surrounding the basket. A successful attempt from beyond the three-point line is worth three points, while attempts from within the line or with a player's foot touching the line are worth two points. The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies across different competitions and leagues, such as the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, and FIBA. In 2019, the NCAA men's division adopted the FIBA arc, moving the three-point line to the international distance of 22 feet and 1.75 inches, which is closer to the basket compared to the NBA's arc. This variation in distances between the three-point lines in different leagues might be the reason for the existence of two three-point lines in international basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance from the basket | 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the center of the basket |
| Court dimensions | 28 by 15 meters (91.9 by 49.2 ft) |
| Court markings | The key is a rectangle with dimensions of 4.9 m wide and 5.8 m long |
| Three-point line distance | 22 feet, 1 3/4 inches |
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What You'll Learn
The three-point line in international basketball is 22 feet, 1¾ inches
The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level. For example, in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 metres) from the centre of the basket. On the other hand, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) follows the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) standard of 22 feet, 1.75 inches. The FIBA arc is also used in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
The FIBA three-point line is over a foot and a half closer than the NBA line. This is because the North American court is slightly wider than the FIBA court, resulting in a difference in measurements between the imperial and metric systems. The FIBA court is 28 metres long and 15 metres wide, which is almost 92 feet by 49 feet in imperial measurements. The tip-off circle is also smaller at 3.5 metres in diameter, with a radius of about 5 feet, 7 inches.
The three-point line was first introduced in 1961 by the American Basketball League (ABL) commissioner Abe Saperstein. He wanted to add excitement to the game and set the initial distance at 25 feet. However, the other ABL owners later voted to shorten the line to 22 feet. The three-point rule was not included when the ABL merged with the NBA in 1976 but was eventually adopted in the 1979-1980 season.
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The NBA's three-point line is 23 feet, 9 inches
The three-point line has had a significant impact on the NBA, with younger players in particular driving an increase in long-distance attempts. The share of shots in the paint, however, has remained largely unchanged over the past 12 seasons. The three-point shot has evolved from a simple adjustment to the league's rulebook in the late 1970s to a revolution in basketball.
The NBA's three-point line is longer than that of the WNBA, FIBA, and NCAA, which all have an arc of 6.75m (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the centre of the basket. The NCAA's three-point line was previously shorter, at 19 feet 9 inches, but it was lengthened to match the FIBA distance in 2019. The NFHS and elementary and middle schools have also adopted this distance.
The three-point line in basketball was first tested in 1945, with a 21-foot line, and again in 1958 with a 23-foot line. The ABL was the first league to include the three-point line in its rules, and it was popularised by the American Basketball Association (ABA) in the late 1960s. The NBA resisted adopting the three-point line until 1979, when it was introduced in the 1979-1980 season. The NBA modified the distance in the 1990s, reducing it to 22 feet to try to increase average points per game, but it was quickly returned to the original distance.
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The NCAA and NAIA three-point line is the same distance as the FIBA arc
The three-point line in basketball is an arc at a set radius from the point on the floor below the basket's centre. The three-point line then becomes parallel to the sidelines from specific points to the baseline. The three-point line was first tested in a college game in 1945, with a 21-foot line, but it was not kept as a rule. The NCAA and NAIA three-point line is currently the same distance from the centre of the basket as the FIBA arc, but it is 3 feet 4 inches from each sideline because the North American court is wider than the FIBA court. The FIBA arc's minimum distance from the sideline is 2 feet 11 inches, resulting in a minimum distance from the basket's centre of 21 feet 8 inches. The NCAA men's three-point line was moved back to 22 feet, 1 and 3/4 inches in 2019, matching the international distance. The NCAA women's line was moved to match the men's in 2011-12.
The three-point line's distance from the basket varies by competition level. In the NBA, the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches from the centre of the basket. In the WNBA, NCAA, NAIA, and FIBA, the distance is 22 feet 1 and 3/4 inches from the centre of the basket. In high school basketball, the three-point line is 19 feet 9 inches from the centre of the basket. The NCAA three-point line is only 20 feet, 9 inches from the centre of the basket. The FIBA three-point line is over a foot and a half closer than the NBA line. The biggest difference between the NBA and NCAA court dimensions is the distance of the three-point line.
The FIBA governs international basketball courts, and the measurements differ from U.S. courts because of the difference between the metric system and imperial measurements. The FIBA court is slightly smaller than the NBA court, measuring 92 feet by 49 feet. The basket is 10 feet off the ground, so the biggest difference is the three-point line. The three-point line in the NBA is 23 feet 9 inches from the centre of the basket, while the FIBA three-point line is 22 feet 1 and 3/4 inches from the centre of the basket.
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The WNBA's three-point line is the same as the FIBA's
The three-point line is a designated arc surrounding the basket in a basketball game. A successful shot from beyond the three-point line is worth three points, while shots made within the three-point line are worth two points, and free throws are worth one point each. The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has its three-point arc at 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the basket's centre.
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) initially had its three-point arc at 20 feet and 6.25 inches, which was closer than the three-point line for NCAA men's and women's basketball at 20 feet and 9 inches. However, in December 2012, the WNBA announced that it would adopt the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) distance of 22 feet and 1.75 inches (6.75 m), starting in 2013. This change brought the WNBA's three-point line closer to the NBA's line, though it is still slightly shorter. The FIBA three-point line has also been adopted by the Olympics.
The FIBA arc is the same distance from the centre of the basket as the NCAA and NAIA arcs. However, the North American court is slightly wider than the FIBA court, resulting in a difference in the distance from the sideline. The three-point line in FIBA is specified as a minimum of 0.9 meters (2 feet 11 inches) from the sideline, while in NCAA and NAIA, it is 3 feet 4 inches (1.02 m) from the sideline.
The decision to adopt the FIBA three-point line by the WNBA was made to standardise the rules across different competitions and to bring the WNBA's court dimensions closer to those of the NBA. This change also created a more consistent challenge for players, as the previous WNBA three-point line was considered too close by some. The new FIBA three-point line is expected to impact gameplay, particularly for teams that rely heavily on three-point shooting. With the increased distance, sharpshooters may become more valuable, and defensive strategies may need to adjust to cover the larger distance.
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The three-point line was first tested in 1945
The three-point shot was tested two more times at the college level, in 1958 and 1961, before the American Basketball League (ABL) became the first league to implement the rule in 1961. The ABL, led by Abe Saperstein, set the three-point line at 25 feet from the basket, aiming to add excitement and variety to the game.
In 1967, the American Basketball Association (ABA), a competitor to the NBA, also adopted the three-point line from its inception. This decision marked a significant step towards the global adoption of the three-point rule. The ABA's implementation of the three-point line contributed to its reputation for exciting innovations, enhancing the fan experience.
Following the merger of the NBA and ABA in 1976, the NBA introduced the three-point line on a trial basis for the 1979-1980 season. This marked the beginning of a new era in basketball, as the three-point shot gradually gained acceptance and popularity. Over time, the three-point shot evolved from being considered a gimmick to becoming an integral part of offensive strategies in the game.
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Frequently asked questions
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has different court dimensions than the National Basketball Association (NBA). The FIBA court is slightly smaller, and the three-point line is 6.75 meters from the center of the basket, while the NBA court is larger, and the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket.
The three-point line in international basketball, or the FIBA three-point line, is 6.75 meters (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the center of the basket.
The three-point line in the NBA is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 meters) from the center of the basket.
Yes, in addition to the difference in the three-point line distance, the FIBA court is slightly smaller than the NBA court. The FIBA court measures 28 by 15 meters (91.9 by 49.2 feet), while the NBA court is 94 by 50 feet (28.7 by 15.2 meters).
No, the FIBA three-point line distance was previously 6.25 meters (20 feet 6.1 inches) before it was moved back to 6.75 meters in 2010.
