Player in paint leaves court

[ktg2010]

During the Minnesota/Purdue game I witnessed this scenario and wondered if there should have been a call. Also, would there be a call under NFHS?

Player A1 drives the baseline and stops the dribble in the paint under the basket. After becoming surrounded by Team B players on three sides, he realizes there is no shot. He pauses for 2 seconds waiting to find a teammate for a pass. A1 passes to A2. Player A1, now surrounded by team B players on all three sides cannot move out of the paint, so decides to leave the floor, walk out of bounds along the baseline and reenters the court outside the paint. I presumed this was done in order to avoid a 3 second violation. He was not forced out (unless you consider his movement being restricted being forced out)

Should there have been a call for illegally leaving the court? What call?

[Adam]

NFHS, it could be a violation for leaving the court for an unauthorized reason. getting around defenders isn't an authorized reason.

NCAA, I don't believe it's a violation in this case unless A1 is the first to touch the ball after coming back inbounds.

[BillyMac]

A1 receives a pass while in the restricted area of the lane. A1 passes the ball to A2 outside the three-point line. In order to get the three-second count stopped, A1 steps directly out of bounds under A's basket. RULING: A1 is charged with a violation for leaving the court for an unauthorized reason. (9-7)

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

NFHS, it could be a violation for leaving the court for an unauthorized reason. getting around defenders isn't an authorized reason.

That said, I'd have a very difficult time blowing the whistle for a 3 second call for a player that is fully boxed in by the opposing team. The point of the 3 second rule is not for the defense to trap the player for 3 seconds but to prevent the offense from camping in the lane.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

That said, I'd have a very difficult time blowing the whistle for a 3 second call for a player that is fully boxed in by the opposing team. The point of the 3 second rule is not for the defense to trap the player for 3 seconds but to prevent the offense from camping in the lane.

+1

The OP said the player couldn't move out of the paint because of obstruction by his opponents.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

NFHS, it could be a violation for leaving the court for an unauthorized reason. Getting around defenders isn't an authorized reason.

Is getting around defenders who have left you no choice but to step OOB to get out the paint an authorized reason though? The OP did say A1 was boxed in and he literally couldn't leave the lane except by going OOB.

Rules rulz....but sometimes maybe Justice should be blind.