Sport: Getting to Know Basketball Court Dimensions
main article: Basketball Court Dimensions
When it comes to the dimension of a basketball court, there are few different size and shapes. The one that usually followed is the standard specification and regularization for uniform basketball court.
The National Basketball Association (NBA), Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), , shares the same court dimensions, with 94 feet long and 50 feet wide (28.65 m by 15.24 m).
The NBA free throw line is always 15 feet (4.57 m) from the line to the backboard. From the basket, the Restraining circle dimameter is 4 ft (1.22 m) – read more: Basketball Backboard Dimensions. Inside this area, defending players are not allowed to force any offensive fouls. 23.75 feet (7.24 m) would be the distance from the three-point line to the center of the basket.
The NBA three-point line 22 feet (6.7 m) dimension applies to a point where line parallel to the baseline which intersects the long axis of the court and the center of the basket. The key or shaded lane is 16 feet (4.9 m) wide. This is the painted area under the basket.
Under International Basketball Federation (FIBA) the court dimension is 91.86 ft by 49.21 ft wide (28 m by 15 m). Restraining circle diameter has the same as NBA. Center circle diameter is 3.6 meters. Several changes in court dimension are made by FIBA, effectively for international competitions on October 2010. The changes would be:
- The key or shaded lane will change from trapezoid to rectangular shape.
- The three-point line wil increase to 6.75 m from the current 6.25 m.
- Restricted Area arc will change to 1.25 metres (4 feet 1.2 in).
read more: NBA Trophy Dimensions
For NCAA Men’s Competitions, the center of the basket and the three-point line is 20.75 feet or equal to 6.32 meters apart. Key or shaded lane is 12 feet (3.66 m).
For Women’s NCAA and U.S. High School Competitions, these would be the court dimensions: 84 feet in length and 50 feet wide (25.6m by 15.24 m). The three-point line distance from the center of the basket is 19.75 feet (6.01 m). The dimension of key or shaded lane is the same as in Men’s NCAA.
NBA, WNBA, Men’s and Women’s NCAA, U.S Senior and Junior High School have the same free throw line distance. Except for NBA, no definite circle diameter is cited on this category.
A U.S. Junior High School court is approximately 74 feet by 42 feet. The free throw and three point line distance is equal to Women’s NCAA and U.S. High School. The diameter of the center circle is same as NBA.
These official dimensions cited are often utilized as a position for free throw lines, three- point lines, boundary lines and other perimeter sizes. Be analytical when trying to understand how long different basketball court sizes are.