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When it comes to basketball court dimensions, there are a variety of factors to consider. The length, width, and layout can change depending on the type of court it is and at what level it is designed for. The different types of basketball courts include:
- NBA (American) Professional Basketball Court
- Men’s College Basketball Court
- Women’s College Basketball Court
- High School Basketball Court
NBA (American) Professional Basketball Court
The court size for the professional National Basketball Association courts is 94 feet in length and 50 feet in width. The foul line is located 18 feet and 10 inches away from the baseline. The distance of the foul line measures 15 feet from the front of the backboard to where the free throw line is. This is the same measurement for all basketball courts. The key (or lane) is 16 feet in width. To properly form the key lines, the half circle arc leads out from the foul line and from the basketball goal (the backboard is 4 feet away from the baseline). The arc of the court (3 point line) is 22 feet starting from either side of the rim’s center and has a straight line going out 16 feet and 9 inches away from the baseline. The line continues to go out for 23 feet and 9 inches from the rim’s center. The restricted arc is located underneath the basket and has a radius of 4 feet from the basket’s center. It is semicircular in shape as well.
Men’s College Basketball Court
The overall size of the basketball court surface for a men’s college is like the professional court, it is 94 feet in length and 50 feet in width. The foul line is also the same, as it is with all basketball courts. The distance of the foul line measures 15 feet from the front of the backboard to where the foul line is and it is 18 feet and 10 inches away from the baseline. The key/lane is 12 feet in width and half circle that goes from the baseline to the foul line is 6 feet. Again, the backboard is positioned 4 feet over the baseline and is within the key. The 3 point line/arc is also slightly smaller at 20 feet and 9 inches. The restricted arc has a radius of 3 feet that is calculated from the center of the basketball hoop.
Women’s College Basketball Court
Once again, the official length and width of the entire basketball court surface is 94 feet in length and 50 feet in width. The foul line is 15 feet away from the front of the backboard and is 18 feet and 10 inches away from the baseline. The key/lane is 12 feet in width and the half circle arc is 6 feet. The 3 point line/arc is 20 feet and 9 inches and the straight line that extends out of it is 5 feet and 3 inches away from the baseline. The restricted arc is the same as the Men’s College court and is 3 feet in radius from the basket’s center.
High School Basketball Court
High school basketball courts are generally a bit smaller than the rest. The overall size of the court is 84 feet in length and 50 feet in width. The foul line is the same as the others, it extends 15 feet away from the face of the backboard and is 18 feet and 10 inches away from the baseline. The key/lane is 12 feet in width and has the exact same measurements as the college level basketball courts, with the half circle arc being 6 feet. The 3 point line/arc is 19 feet and 9 inches with the straight line going from the baseline to the arc by 5 feet and 3 inches.
Other Measurements
The court size of Junior high school basketball game courts are even smaller to accommodate the age group, measuring in at 74 feet in length and 42 feet in width.
The sizes of the backboards and rims on the basketball goal are the same no matter what. The backboards are 6 feet in width and 42 inches in height. The diameter of the basketball rim is 18 inches. The hoop is 10 feet above the floor, being measured from the top of the rim. The square on the inner part of the backboard is 24 inches in width and 18 inches in height. Also, all the markings on the court’s floor are two inches wide with no specific color assigned to them.
The Significance of Basketball
Basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith in the efforts to find a suitable indoor activity to play throughout the colder months in the United States. It has since become one of the most popular and beloved sports in history. Basketball today is a sport enjoyed by all people from all walks of life. However, it was not until 1893 that women’s basketball first began when gymnastic teacher, Sandra Berenson, introduced it to her female college students. It was only in 1971 that women were allowed to play full court, and it was as late as 1995 in some states that females could play full court on a high school level.
The rise of basketball in other countries began during the first World War, but was quickly spread throughout many countries after it was introduced as an official Olympic event in the 1936 Berlin Games (Dr. James Naismith attended the Berlin Games). Today the game is played by millions in several countries. The top ten countries that basketball has been popularized in according to topendsports.com are:
- United States
- Philippines
- Australia
- Canada
- Iraq
- Mongolia
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Macedonia
- New Zealand
Although the United States harbours the most love for basketball, it has truly received a welcome from countries in all corners of the globe. Many of these countries have developed their own basketball leagues as well. Some of the top basketball leagues in the world, besides the NBA in the United States according to allaboutbasketball.com are:
- Argentina; LNB; Liga Nacional de Basquet
- Australia; NBL; National Basketball League
- Canada; NBL Canada; National Basketball League of Canada
- Mexico; LNBP; Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional
- Lebanon; BANKMED FLB League
Basketball is truly a powerful sport with the ability to draw people together for the love of the game in several different types of cultures and societies.
