9-4; Through the Basket from Below

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by gslefeb

To me the phrase "passes through" would indicate the entire ball would need to be above the rim.

That is correct. According to the pictures provided in the OP, A is a violation while B is not.

The only debate is whether the ball must also come completely free of the net. Those who say yes argue that the net is part of the basket.
Those who say no point out that the definition of the basket states that the net is suspended below the ring, not pushed up into it and above the level of the ring.

1-10-1 . . . Each basket shall consist of a single metal ring, 18 inches in inside
diameter, its flange and braces, and a white-cord 12-mesh net, 15 to 18 inches in
length, suspended from beneath the ring.