Who Scored The First Three Point Basket In Nba History?
The answer to this question may surprise you – it was actually a player on the opposing team! Read on to learn more about the first three-point basket in NBA history.
On October 12th, 1979, the NBA introduced the three point basket. In the very first game where the three point shot was available, the Boston Celtics’ Chris Ford made NBA history by becoming the first player to score a three point basket. This was a significant moment in NBA history as the three point basket has become an integral part of the game today.
Wilt Chamberlain
On October 12, 1979, just days before the start of the NBA season, the Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets faced off in a game that would change basketball history. Chamberlain, playing for the Rockets, made a 21-foot jump shot from the top of the key, becoming the first player in NBA history to score a three-point basket.
Rick Barry
Rick Barry is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, an inductee in both the College Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Outstanding Contribution to Basketball Award recipient. He was inducted in 1987. Barry is the only player to be named All-NBA First Team in three different decades. He was one of three players (joining Mel Daniels and Bob Lanier) to play in an NBA Finals in three different decades (1960s, 1970s, 1980s). Rick Barry scored 15,279 points during his 14 years (1,036 games) in the NBA, averaging 22.3 points per game over that span.
Chris Ford
Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics was the first player in NBA history to score a three-point basket. He did so on October 12, 1979, in a game against the Houston Rockets. The shot came just seconds into the game and helped the Celtics to an eventual 120-104 victory.
