Enlighten me---

[rotationslim]

HS Rules question:

Shooter goes airborne to shoot 3 point shot. Hard foul by defense, so hard shooter never releases ball. Both shooter & Defensive come down in heap on floor.. ball still in hands of shooter.

ref calls foul.. awards 3 shots to shooter.

Defensive player argues it is not a shooting foul, as ball never left hands of offensive player. He was airborne, and clearly attempting to shoot.

I can't believe defensive player is right, otherwise players could just hammer shooters so hard they can't get the shot off.. and it wouldn't be a shooting foul.

Please educate me, rule citation & quote would be sweet to pass on to defensive player...