Getting to Know Basketball Court Dimensions

main article: Basketball Court Dimensions

There are few different size and shapes when it comes to the dimension of a basketball court. The one that usually followed is the standard specification and regularization for uniform basketball court.

The same court dimension is used by The National Basketball Association (NBA), Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which is 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 strictly cannot compel 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 feet in length and 49.21 feet wide (28 m by 15 m). Restraining circle diameter is equal to the one used by the NBA. The diameter of the center circle is 3.6 meters. Several changes in court dimension are made by FIBA, which will be effectively on international competition on October 2010 onwards. The changes made were:

1. The key or shaded lane will change from trapezoid to rectangular shape.
2. The three-point line wil increase to 6.75 m from the current 6.25 m.
3. Restricted Area arc will change to 1.25 metres (4 feet 1.2 in).

read more: NBA Trophy Dimensions

Will be used for NCAA Men's Competitions, the distance from the center of the basket to the three-point line is 20.75 feet or equal to 6.32 meters. Key or shaded lane is 12 feet or equal to 3.66 meters.

For Women’s NCAA and U.S. High School Competitions, the court dimensions are 84 feet in length and 50 feet wide (25.6m by 15.24 m). The distance of the three-point line and the center of the basket is 19.75 feet, or equal to 6.01 meters. Key or shaded lane has the same dimension in Men’s NCAA.

All of the NBA, WNBA, Men’s and Women’s NCAA, U.S Senior and Junior High School have the same free throw line distance. No definite circle diameter is stated on this category except for NBA.

A U.S. Junior High School court is around 74 feet by 42 feet. It has the equal free throw and three-point line distance with 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. Think analytical when trying to understand how long different basketball court sizes are.