Three-Point Line and Free Throw Lane Will Not Be Changed

January 14, 2004

The NCAA announced that the Executive Committee has ruled that the three-point line will remain at its current distance of 19 feet, 9 inches.

Last summer, it appeared that the three point line would be moved back nine inches to a distance of 20 feet, 6 inches.  The NCAA had announced that schools did not have time to implement the change in time for the 2003-04 season, but seemed to indicate that the change would in fact occur in 2004.  That is clearly no longer the case.

Additionally, the free throw lane will retain its rectangular configuration, rather than be changed to a trapezoidal shape as in international competition.  The free throw lane change was removed from the proposal prior to this year's NCAA Convention.