After three experimental games over a period of 16 years, the three-point line was first accepted by the ABL (American Basketball League) in 1961 at Commissioner Abe Saperstein’s discretion, who wanted to add excitement to the game.
The first introduction of a three-point line rule was in a 1945 college game between Columbia and Fordham. The line was at 21 feet. The rule did not leave a good impression, so it was not kept.
Undeterred by the initial setback, a second trial of the three-point line was conducted in 1958 during a match between St. Francis and Siena. This time, the line was extended to 23 feet, indicating a continued effort to find the right balance in the game.
One more experiment game was in 1961 when Boston University and Dartmouth counted all field goals as three-pointers.
In 1961, the ABL board voted that the 3-point line should be at the 22-foot mark. From that point, years of change were ahead that moved the line back and forth, trying to find the perfect balance between challenging and improbable.
Today, the mark of the three-point line depends on the league. In the NBA, for example, the line is at 23ft 9in.
The official scorer’s report shows the first three-point field goal in NBA history on October 12, 1979.
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