Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, and the three-point line is one of its most iconic features. But just how far away is the three-point line? The answer to this question may vary depending on the level of basketball being played.
High School Basketball
In the United States, the three-point line in high school basketball is typically 19 feet and 9 inches from the center of the basket. This measurement is the same for both men’s and women’s basketball. The three-point line in high school basketball is marked with a semicircle that has a radius of 19 feet and 9 inches.
College Basketball
In college basketball, the three-point line is slightly closer to the basket than in high school. The three-point line in college basketball is typically 20 feet and 9 inches from the center of the basket, which is 1 foot closer than the high school three-point line. The three-point line in college basketball is marked with a semicircle that has a radius of 20 feet and 9 inches.
NBA Basketball
The three-point line in the NBA is the farthest from the basket of all levels of basketball. The three-point line in the NBA is typically 22 feet and 1 inch from the center of the basket, which is 2 feet and 2 inches farther than the college three-point line. The three-point line in the NBA is marked with a semicircle that has a radius of 22 feet and 1 inch.
FIBA Basketball
The three-point line in FIBA basketball is slightly closer to the basket than in the NBA. The three-point line in FIBA basketball is typically 22 feet and 0.75 inches from the center of the basket, which is 0.25 inches closer than the NBA three-point line. The three-point line in FIBA basketball is marked with a semicircle that has a radius of 22 feet and 0.75 inches.
Concluding Thoughts
The three-point line in basketball is typically 19 feet and 9 inches from the center of the basket in high school, 20 feet and 9 inches in college, 22 feet and 1 inch in the NBA, and 22 feet and 0.75 inches in FIBA. The three-point line has become an integral part of basketball and has allowed for a wide variety of offensive strategies, making the game more exciting for both players and fans.