Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and its popularity is growing every day. The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the premier professional basketball league in the world and the standard for the sport. One of the most important pieces of equipment in any basketball game is the hoop. But just how tall is a basketball hoop in the NBA?
NBA Hoop Height Requirements
The official height of a basketball hoop in the NBA is 10 feet. This has been the standard for the NBA since the league’s inception in 1946. While the height of the hoop is the same, the diameter of the rim has changed over the years. The current rim diameter is 18 inches, which is slightly larger than the 17 inches that were used before.
International Basketball Hoop Height Requirements
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) sets the standards for basketball across the globe. The height of the hoop in international competition is slightly different than the NBA standard. FIBA uses a hoop that is 3.05 meters (or 10.02 feet) above the ground. This is slightly higher than the 10-foot hoop used in the NBA.
High School Hoop Height Requirements
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) sets the standards for high school basketball in the United States. The high school standard for the hoop is slightly lower than the NBA standard. The hoop is set at a height of 9 feet. This is one foot lower than the NBA standard.
College Hoop Height Requirements
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sets the standards for college basketball in the United States. The college standard for the hoop is the same as the NBA standard. The hoop is set at a height of 10 feet.
Inches of a Basketball Hoop
Now that we know the different heights for the hoops in the NBA, international, high school, and college basketball, let’s take a look at the number of inches for each. The NBA hoop is 120 inches, the international hoop is 120.2 inches, the high school hoop is 108 inches, and the college hoop is 120 inches.
Conclusion
The official height of a basketball hoop in the NBA is 10 feet. The international standard for the hoop is slightly higher at 10.02 feet. The high school standard is slightly lower at 9 feet and the college standard is the same as the NBA standard of 10 feet. In terms of inches, the NBA hoop is 120 inches, the international hoop is 120.2 inches, the high school hoop is 108 inches, and the college hoop is 120 inches.