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The three-point line in women's basketball has been a topic of discussion in recent years, with the NCAA deciding to move the line back to match the distance of the men's game. This change, implemented for the 2021-22 season, brought the women's three-point line to 22 feet, 1.75 inches, previously 20 feet, 9 inches. This adjustment aimed to standardize the rules and court dimensions for both men's and women's basketball, addressing the previous confusion of multiple arcs on the court. The impact of this change is still being evaluated, with some players and teams adjusting faster than others. While the three-point percentage did drop initially, the game continues to evolve, and players are expected to adapt over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Previous distance of the three-point line in women's basketball | 19 feet, 9 inches |
| New distance of the three-point line in women's basketball | 22 feet, 1.75 inches |
| Previous distance of the three-point line in men's basketball | 20 feet, 9 inches |
| New distance of the three-point line in men's basketball | 22 feet, 1.75 inches |
| Maximum distance of the three-point line in NBA basketball | 23 feet, 9 inches |
| Minimum distance of the three-point line in high school basketball | 19 feet, 9 inches |
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What You'll Learn
- The three-point line in women's basketball is closer due to a 'human error' in the USC vs UConn game
- The three-point line was moved back 16.75 inches to match the men's distance
- The three-point line distance varies by competition level
- The three-point line was first adopted by the NCAA in 1986
- The three-point line change will simplify the game for women
The three-point line in women's basketball is closer due to a 'human error' in the USC vs UConn game
The three-point line in women's NCAA basketball is usually located 22 feet, 1.75 inches away from the hoop at the top of the key. This is the same distance that men's college basketball players and WNBA players shoot from. However, during the 2024 NCAA women's tournament, a "human error" resulted in a discrepancy in the three-point line distance at the Portland arena, where the USC vs UConn game took place.
The error was discovered during the Elite Eight round of the women's Portland regional, creating a nine-inch difference between the two three-point lines on the court. This meant that one three-point line was approximately nine inches closer to the basket than the other. The error was quickly corrected before the final game, and the NCAA issued a statement saying that the inaccurate line was due to "human error" by the finisher contracted by Connor Sports, the supplier of the court.
The discrepancy in the three-point line distance did have some impact on the games played on that court. During the Sweet 16, teams shooting on the shortened line made 29.9% of their three-point attempts, while teams shooting on the longer line sank only 25.3% of their triples. However, it is important to note that teams switch sides of the court at halftime, so each team had equal playing time on both ends.
The USC vs UConn game was highly anticipated, with UConn aiming for their 12th national title and USC making their first Elite Eight appearance since 2024. UConn ultimately won the game 78-64, advancing to the Final Four. Paige Bueckers, a star player for UConn, scored a game-high 31 points and moved into third place in UConn women's basketball scoring.
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The three-point line was moved back 16.75 inches to match the men's distance
The three-point line in women's basketball was previously closer than the men's, but it has since been moved back to match the men's distance. In 2021, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Committee approved moving the women's three-point line from 20 feet 9 inches to 22 feet 1.75 inches for the 2021-22 season. This change brought the women's game in line with the men's game, as well as with the WNBA and international standards. The new three-point distance for women is 22 feet, 1.75 inches from the hoop at the top of the key, the same as the men's distance.
The change to the women's three-point line was made to simplify the game and bring it in line with other competitive basketball leagues. Previously, there had been multiple lines on the court due to the differing rules for men and women, which could cause confusion for players and officials. The change also recognises the increasing importance of three-pointers in the women's game, with the percentage of shots taken from behind the arc rising from 30.0% to 32.9% for NCAA Division I women between 2015-16 and 2020-21.
While some predicted that the change would lead to a decline in three-point accuracy for women, others argued that shooters would adjust quickly and that the game would continue to evolve and improve. Indeed, the Division I three-point percentage did drop below 31% initially, but this impact was not felt equally by all players. High-volume shooters, for example, may have already been taking many of their shots from the deeper distance.
The change to the three-point line in women's basketball has not been without its challenges. For example, during the 2024 NCAA Tournament, an error was discovered in the women's bracket, where there were two three-point lines on one side of the court during the USC vs. UConn game. This "human error" was quickly corrected, but it highlighted the need for attention to detail in court preparation to ensure uniform standards across all competitions.
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The three-point line distance varies by competition level
The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies across different basketball competitions. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the centre of the basket. In the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the three-point line is 22 feet 1.75 inches (6.75 m) from the centre of the basket.
The three-point line distance has been a topic of discussion and change in women's basketball. In 2021, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Committee approved moving the women's three-point line to 22 feet 1.75 inches for the 2021-22 season, matching the distance in the WNBA and international basketball. This change aimed to standardise the rules and simplify the game for women's college basketball, which previously had multiple lines on the court due to different rules for men and women.
Prior to the 2021-22 season, the NCAA women's three-point line was at 20 feet 9 inches (6.32 m). The WNBA also extended its three-point line distance for the 2013 season, resulting in a notable impact on their game statistics. The adjustment to the three-point line in women's college basketball was expected to lead to a slight decrease in the percentage of shots made from three-point range.
It is worth noting that the three-point line distance is not uniform across all levels of women's basketball. For example, in American high school basketball, the three-point arc spans 180 degrees around the basket and becomes parallel to the sidelines, resulting in varying distances from the basket.
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The three-point line was first adopted by the NCAA in 1986
The three-point line was first adopted by the NCAA in April 1986 for the 1986–87 season, at a distance of 19 feet, 9 inches (6.02 metres) from the centre of the basket. It was first used in the NCAA tournament in March 1987. The three-point rule was first introduced by the NCAA's Southern Conference for the 1980–81 season, with a 22-foot (6.71-metre) line. Over the following five years, NCAA conferences differed in their use of the rule and the distance required for a three-pointer. The line was as close as 17 feet, 9 inches (5.41 metres) in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and as far away as 22 feet (6.71 metres) in the Big Sky.
The three-point line was adopted by the NCAA in 1986 on an experimental basis for the 1986–87 season, and its use became mandatory beginning in 1987–88. In 2007, the NCAA lengthened the men's distance by one foot to 20 feet, 9 inches (6.32 metres), effective with the 2008–9 season, and the women's line was moved to match the men's in 2011–12. The NFHS, along with elementary and middle schools, adopted a 19-foot, 9-inch (6.02-metre) line nationally in 1987, a year after the NCAA.
The NCAA experimented with the 6.75-metre (22-foot, 1.75-inch) FIBA three-point line distance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 2018 and 2019, then adopted that distance for all men's play with a phased conversion that began with Division I in the 2019–20 season. The FIBA three-point distance was extended to the women's game starting in 2021–22.
The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies by competition level. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the arc is 23 feet, 9 inches (7.24 metres) from the centre of the basket. In the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (all divisions), and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the arc is 6.75 metres (22 feet, 1.75 inches) from the centre of the basket. In the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the arc is 19 feet, 9 inches (6.02 metres) from the centre of the basket.
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The three-point line change will simplify the game for women
Previously, there were multiple lines on the court due to the differing rules for men and women, which could cause confusion for players. With the new three-point line distance, the game will be simplified for women as there will no longer be multiple arcs to navigate. This is expected to have a small impact on the percentage of shots taken from three-point range, with a slight decrease predicted.
The change will also make the game more challenging for women, as they will now have to shoot from a greater distance. This may lead to a small decline in three-point shooting percentages, particularly for high-volume shooters. Freshmen players may also be more affected, as they will have to adjust to the longer distance after shooting from the shorter high school arc.
Overall, the three-point line change is expected to have a simplifying effect on the women's game by standardizing the court markings and removing potential confusion. While there may be a slight decrease in three-point shooting percentages, the change is not expected to significantly impact the overall style of play.
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Frequently asked questions
The three-point line in women's basketball is not closer. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches away from the basket. In the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the three-point line is 22 feet 1.75 inches away from the basket.
Moving the three-point line in women's basketball can impact the game by making three-pointers more or less difficult to score. For example, when the NCAA moved the women's three-point line back by 16 inches, the Division I three-point percentage dropped below 31% for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
The current distance of the three-point line in women's basketball for the WNBA, NCAA, and NAIA is 22 feet 1.75 inches, which is the same as the international basketball standard.
Yes, during the 2024 NCAA Tournament, a "human error" resulted in two three-point lines being painted on one side of the court for the USC vs. UConn game. The error was discovered during the Elite Eight of the women's Portland regional, and the court was corrected before the final game.
