How far is the 3 point line in the NBA?

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The NBA is consistently setting all time scoring record high point totals compared to past eras. The league average from 1995 to 2012 was 97 points per game per team. Reaching 100 points in a game was a high score. Today however, most teams score over 100 points per game on average. The league average in 2022-2023 is 113 points per game per team. The league average from 2013 – 2022 was 107 points per game per team.

The rise of the ability to make a 3-point shot is the main reason. Along with a higher paced offensive approach. More “big men” and almost every guard and forward has the ability to make a 3-point. Every team wants and needs players who can make a 3-pointer. Made 3-point shot records are breaking every year.

Should the NBA 3-point line move back? How far is the 3-point line in the NBA? The NBA 3-point line is 23 feet 9 inches at the top arc, and 22 feet in the corners. 

With record scoring and 3-point shots made, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the NBA move the 3-point line back even further one day.

Why is the NBA 3-point line farther?

The NBA see’s itself as the best basketball league in the world. To differentiate itself from International Basketball Leagues and College, it has made the 3-Point further than any other league. It considers it’s players the best in the world. And by having a further shot than the rest, it separates itself from the rest.

The NBA is the top basketball league in the world. The best international players and amateur players strive to make the NBA. It is the most difficult basketball league to play in and the toughest one to make or be successful in. Having a further distance 3-point shot adds to the difficulty, especially compared to college and international leagues.

When did the NBA add the 3-pointer?

On a one-year trial run, the NBA added the 3-point line for the 1979-1980 season. It started 22 feet in the corners and 23 feet 9 inches from the top of the arc and everywhere else.

The 3-point line made its way around International Basketball in 1984 at 20 feet 6 inches. The NCAA (college) followed by instituting the 3-point line in 1987 and a distance of 19 feet 9 inches.

For a 3-year period between 1994 and 1997, the NBA reduced the 3-point line from 23 feet 9 inches maximum to 22 feet. This was an attempt to fix the issue with decreased scoring. At the time, scoring had decreased for 10 years straight. Teams weren’t making as many shots and were holding onto the ball much longer than years prior.

For those that watched the NBA during that time, “big men”, defense, and low post shots were much more common than they are today. Shooting Guards were less common compared to Centers.

However, the shortened line didn’t serve its purpose and didn’t change scoring, as point totals were still decreasing.

The lack of change in scoring prompted the NBA to change the 3-point line back to its original distance of 23 feet 9 inches as it’s longest shot. Since 1997, the 3-point line distance has not changed. The competition committee has discussed options of moving the 3-point line back even further, but to this day, nothing has transpired.  

How far is the 3-point line in the College?

The college 3-point line has constantly changed over the last 2 decades. The current distance of the 3-point line in college is 22 feet and 1 and ¾ inches. The same distance used in international basketball competitions. The 3-point line distance in college is the same 22 feet and 1 and ¾ inches all the way around.

From 2009 – 2019, the distance of the 3-point line in college was 20 feet 9 inches all the way around from top of the arc to the corners.

From 1987 – 2008, the distance of the 3-point line in college was just 19 feet 9 inches all the way around from top of the arc to the corners.

1987 was the debut of the 3-point line in college basketball but didn’t have much of an impact on scoring. Teams attempted between 9 and 12 3-pointers per game from 1987 – 2008. However, in 2008, college basketball teams really started to adopt the idea of attempting 3-point shots. 

A lot had to do with the rise of the 3—pointer in the NBA. Made and attempted 3-pointers doubled in 2008 and was responsible for 29% of all points in college basketball. A year later, college basketball decided to move the 3-point line back 1 foot, which would stand for 111 years before being moved back again in 2020.

College 3-Point Line Distance Changes:

  • 1987 – 2008 = 19 feet 9 inches
  • 2009 – 2019 = 20 feet 9 inches
  • 2020 – Current = 22 feet 1 and ¾ inches

How far is the 3-point line in high school?

A High School 3-point line is currently 19 feet 9 inches. The same distance as the college 3-point line was from 2009 – 2019. The distance has not moved back in high school like it did in 2020 for college basketball. It is the same distance in high school for both boys and girls and at 19 feet 9 inches all the way around.

The NBA is the only one with a 3-point line that changes from arc, top, and corners. In the NBA, the 3-point line is 23 feet 9 inches at the top and the arcs, and 22 feet in the corners. In college and high school, the distance stays the same; at either it’s current 22 feet 1 and ¾ inches in college or 19 feet 9 inches in high school. 

What is the shortest 3-point shot?

The shortest 3 point shot only occurs in the NBA, at 22 feet in the corners. The 3-point shot gets progressively longer as you move toward the top of the arc.

In College and High School Basketball however, the distance is the same all the way around. 22 feet 1 and ¾ inches in college and 19 feet 9 inches in high school.

Although the shortest shot in the NBA is at 22 feet in the corner, it is not necessarily the easier shot. That’s because there isn’t backboard facing the shooter. Only the net and rim can be hit from the corner. Whereas the shooter has the backboard to hit or use as a guide for distance from the arcs and the top.

It’s also difficult to shoot a 3-pointer from the corner due to the defense being able to corner the ball handler/shooter. The shooter has nowhere to go but one direction. Whereas other spots on the court have multiple options to get away from defenders or pass.

Can you dunk a 3-pointer?

Considering the distance, at any level between high school and NBA, it is way too far to dunk a basketball. If you watch NBA dunk contest, or YouTube amateur dunk contest, the longest you’ll see anyone dunk is from the free throw line, which is 15 feet from the basket. 

The 15-foot distance free throw line is the same from high school to the NBA and has not changed since the start of the game of basketball was created.

We wouldn’t say it’s impossible to dunk a 3-pointer, but to this day, it has never been done at any level.

How far is the 3-point line in the NBA conclusion

The NBA 3-point line distance has changed back and forth over different years. It started out in the 1979-1980 season at 23 feet 9 inches from the arcs and top, and 22 feet at the corners. It changed briefly to 22 feet in 1994 to 1997 before brought back to the current distance of 23 feet 9 inches (arcs and top) and 22 feet in the corners.

High School 3-point line distance has stayed consistent at 19 feet 9 inches while College has changed 3 times. It started at 19 feet 9 inches, changed to 20 feet 9 inches in 2009 to 2019, and then in 2020 changed to 22 feet and 1 and ¾ inches.

There is a lot of discussion about moving the 3-point line back due to the massive increase in 3-point shots attempted and made, and the number of players who can make 3-pointers. Plus, scoring continues to be at an all-time high each season. As of now, the NBA 3-point line distance is 23 feet 9 inches at the arcs and top and 22 feet in the corners.