How Far Is An NBA 3 Point Shot?
Contents
The NBA 3 point shot is one of the most popular shots in basketball. But how far is it really? We did the research to find out!
The NBA Three Point Shot
The NBA 3 point shot is one of the most difficult shots in all of basketball. It is a very high-pressure shot, and many players struggle with it. The 3 point shot is also a very important shot, as it can often be the difference between winning and losing. In this article, we will take a look at the NBA 3 point shot, and how far it actually is.
The History of the Three Point Shot in the NBA
The three point shot was first introduced to the NBA in the 1979-1980 season. Previously, the closest shot a player could take from behind the arc was 23 feet 9 inches. The new rule stated that players could now shoot from as far back as 25 feet, provided they made a basket worth three points.
Since its inception, the three point shot has been a controversial aspect of the game. Critics argue that it makes the game too easy, while proponents argue that it creates more opportunities for players to score.
The first three point champion was Rick Barry, who made 94 of his 233 attempts (40.3%). The current record holder is Stephen Curry, who made 402 of his 539 attempts (74.6%) in the 2015-2016 season.
In recent years, the number of three point shots attempted in the NBA has risen dramatically. In the 2005-2006 season, teams averaged 18.0 three point attempts per game. By the 2015-2016 season, that number had risen to 27.0 three point attempts per game.
The Three Point Shot Today
The three point shot has become increasingly popular in the NBA over the past few decades. In the 2019-2020 season, 36.4% of all field goals attempted were threes, up from 28.0% just ten years prior. With the rise in popularity of the three point shot, many people have wondered how far an NBA three point shot actually is.
The answer is that an NBA three point shot is 22 feet from the basket at the top of the key and 23 feet and nine inches from the corners. However, the NBA does not have a hard and fast rule on how far away from the basket a player must be to take a three point shot. As long as a player is behind the three point line, they are free to shoot from anywhere within that area.
So, while an NBA three point shot is typically taken from 22 or 23 feet away from the basket, there have been instances of players shooting threes from much further away. For example, in November of 2018, Boston Celtics player Kyrie Irving made a three pointer from 28 feet away from the basket.
While Irving’s shot was impressive, it’s important to remember that not all players have his level of skill. In general, most players will take their shots from closer to the 22 or 23 foot mark, as this is where they are most accurate.
How Far Is An NBA Three Point Shot?
An NBA three point shot is taken from behind the three point line. This line is 23 feet, 9 inches from the hoop, and 22 feet from the corners. The three point shot was first introduced in the NBA in the 1979-1980 season.
The NBA Three Point Line
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line is the distance from the basket to which a player must shoot in order for a shot to be worth three points. The three-point line varies by court; at 27 feet (8.2 m) it is closer than in international competitions such as those of FIBA, where the line is 22.15 feet (6.75 m).
There is also a shorter distance two-point shot worth two points that is closer to the basket and used less often than the standard three-point shot. Other professional leagues in the United States, such as the Continental Basketball Association and NBA G League, use the FIBA distance. Colloquially, this distance is often referred to as “the NBA three”, “the NBA three-pointer”, or simply “the three” regardless of league.
The distance of the NBA three point line has changed several times throughout its history; it was introduced at 22 feet (6.7 m) in 1946–47 before moving back to 23 feet 9 inches (7.2 m) in 1961–62 and then again to its current 22 feet (6.7 m) in 1987–88.
The NBA Three Point Shot Distance
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point shot has become increasingly popular. It’s now used more than ever before and is a big part of many team’s offense. So, how far is an NBA three point shot?
The NBA three point line is 22 feet (6.7 meters) from the basket at the top of the key and 23 feet (7 meters) from the corners. This means that, on average, a three point shot is about 7 feet (2 meters) longer than a regular two point shot.
So, how does this compare to other leagues? The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) uses a shorter three point line of 20.5 feet (6.2 meters). This means that, on average, an NBA three point shot is about 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) longer than a FIBA three point shot.
The EuroLeague also uses a shorter three point line of 20.75 feet (6.3 meters). This means that, on average, an NBA three point shot is about 1.25 feet (0.4 meters) longer than a EuroLeague three point shot.
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) uses the same size court as the NBA but with a slightly different three point line distance of 21 feet (6.4 meters). This means that, on average, a WNBA three point shot is about 1 foot (0.3 meters) shorter than an NBA three point shot.
Now that you know how far an NBA three point shot is, you can practice your own shooting!
The NBA Three Point Shot Record
The NBA Three Point Shot Record is currently held by Golden State Warriors’ player Stephen Curry, who made a shot from 32.7 feet away from the basket during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 7, 2016. This is the farthest distance that any player has ever made a three point shot from in an NBA game.
Curry is known for his long-distance shooting, and regularly makes shots from well beyond the three point line. In fact, his game-winning three pointer against the Pelicans was just one of several long-distance threes that he made in that game; he also set the record for most threes made in a single game with 13.