Many players want to dunk the ball in the rim, and it is the greatest dream of one aspiring basketball player. However, the basketball rim is too high that disables short people from slashing the backboard. Players that are gifted with height are the people who can dunk easier. Luckily, there is one thing short players can do that will help them to dunk. They can work their butts off and improve their vertical jump.
The height of a basketball hoop is 10-foot and it disables some players from dunking. Some people may think that this height of the rim is too high, but it’s been that way since basketball was invented. The height of a basketball hoop could be adjusted, but the professional leagues use a standard 10-ft basketball hoop.
What are the reasons the inventor of basketball why he made the height of the rim like that? Is the 10-ft rim too high? What is the height of the basketball hoop in different leagues? The questions above will be answered today! So keep your eyes reading.
The Height Of Basketball Hoop In Different Basketball Leagues
We will list below the famous basketball leagues and the height of their basketball hoops.
NBA
Height of Basketball hoop: 10 feet | 305 centimeters
The height of the NBA basketball hoop is 10 feet ever since the ABA/NBA merger, and since it was fully established last June 6, 1946, in New York, United States.
WNBA
Height of Basketball hoop: 10 feet | 305 centimeters
The NBA and WNBA are the same in terms of everything (rules, height rim, duration of the game). The only difference they have is simple. The WNBA is played by women while the NBA is played by men.
NCAA
Height of Basketball hoop: 10 feet | 305 centimeters
Most people know that the NBA became established earlier than the NCAA. The NCAA has been founded 40 years before the NBA, and it was last March 31, 1906. Likewise, the NBA and NCAA have the same regulation height of basketball hoops. The two only differ in some dimensions on the basketball court.
Euroleague And Other European Basketball Leagues
Height of Basketball hoop: 10 feet | 305 centimeters
Euroleague is the most well-known basketball league in Europe. The Euroleague has been established since 2000, making basketball more famous in Europe. The other basketball in Europe is using the regular height of the basketball hoop that was invented by James Naismith.
FIBA
Height of Basketball hoop: 10 feet | 305 centimeters
The FIBA basketball was founded in Geneva on June 18, 1932. Since the establishment of the league, the league adopted the 10-ft basketball hoop Naismith invented. Almost all rules they used are the same as the NBA, and it hasn’t changed until right now.
FIBA 3×3
Height of Basketball hoop: 10 feet | 305 centimeters
The debut of FIBA 3×3 was held last August 2012, and it was in Athens, Greece. The FIBA 3×3 uses some different rules, and their scoring regulation differs from other basketball leagues.
High-School Basketball
Height of Basketball hoop: 10 feet | 305 centimeters
The American high-school league and all other high-school leagues in the world use the same height of basketball hoop as the professional leagues for their games. The decision to adopt the 10-ft height of basketball rim invented by James Naismith was a bright idea.
Kids Basketball
Some other kid’s basketball leagues use the same height of basketball rim as the other professional leagues. However, some basketball camps might use a different height of a hoop. The decision to use a different height of a hoop is dependent on the kid’s age. Below is the height of hoops used by kid’s age 5-11:
- Ages 5 – 7 (Grade: K – 2nd): 6 – 7 Feet
- Ages 8 – 9 (Grade: 3rd – 4th): 8 Feet
- Age 10 (Grade: 5th): 8 Feet
- Ages 11+ (Grade: 6th+): 10 Feet [Regulation Height]
Over The Years Past, Has The Height Of A Basketball Hoop Ever Changed?
The short answer is. NEVER. It was never changed.
James Naismith invented basketball last 1891 at Springfield College. Ever since basketball was invented, the height of the basketball rim has remained the same until today and used by various basketball leagues around the world. There have been no recorded changes that have happened since 1891.
However, there are some changes in the rules and court measurements. Different basketball leagues have their court dimensions, but the height of the basket remains universal.
Even though some NBA players wanted to raise the height of the basketball rim, the commissioner refused the requests. The commissioner said that changing it is vulgar to the inventor, and preserving the tradition would pay respect and gratitude to Naismith.
Why The Height Of A Basketball Hoop Is 10-FT?
One simple reason why the height of a basketball hoop is 10-ft is that that’s how high Naismith put the peach basket to the wall for a test. It was not the intention of Naismithm, but because it seems good, Naismith kept the 10-ft height for a basketball hoop.
James Naismith invented basketball in 1891 at YMCA Springfield Massachusetts. He invented the game because he received orders from board directors to create a game that can be played indoors and while in winters. Because he was the inventor, he was also the one who decided the rim height.
Will The Height Of The Rim Will Be Changed?
There are many NBA sports analysts, journalists, players, and coaches who have requested to change the rim because they think that the height of the basketball rim is too easy for players. They wanted to make the game more challenging and difficult. Changes in the dimensions of the court and game rules are the only changes happening to the NBA. There were no reports that other basketball leagues wanted to change their height rim. Only the NBA league wanted the change.
An exhibition game happened and played with an 11-ft basketball rim height. This game was an experimental game to test if raising the height of the basketball hoop would be constructive and if it is a good idea. Even though this exhibition game happened, there is still a low chance of height changes. The NBA preserved the tradition to pay respect, and changing it will destroy the culture of basketball.
Changes may happen soon because of the rapid increment of players, coaches, and fan’s requests to change the height of the rim. Even though changing it could be fun and challenging, I think this decision would take away the real spirit of basketball.
Final Verdict
The game of basketball spread like a disease. It became popular over the years since basketball was successfully invented. Since then, many changes have happened. Every basketball court you see when you travel around the world is using the traditional height of a basketball rim which is 10-ft. Preserving this tradition would keep the basketball spirit alive.
Do you think it will be a good idea to change the height of the basketball rim? If yes, then why? Comment your answer below!
