The Three-Point Line Arrives
1979 (NBA), 1984 (FIBA). From an experiment to the shot that runs the game
The idea of a long-range shot worth three points was tested in smaller leagues first. The American Basketball League used it in 1961, and the ABA made it famous from 1967. The ABA's commissioner, George Mikan, said it would give smaller players a chance and open up the defense.
The NBA added a three-point line for the 1979 to 1980 season. On 12 October 1979, Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics made the first one. FIBA brought the line to international basketball in 1984, at 6.25 m (about 20 ft 6 in), and US college basketball followed in the 1986 to 1987 season.
At first many coaches saw the three as a gimmick. Teams took only a handful per game. Over the next 40 years, that slowly changed, and then changed very fast.
What changed
A shot worth 50% more forced defenses to guard farther from the basket. That opened space inside, gave shooters real value and laid the groundwork for every spacing system played today.
In the Dictionary: Spacing, Mid Range