When did 3 pt line appear in NBA and NCAA?
And what were the original dimensions?

Don't know exact years, but mid-70s for NBA, mid-80s for NCAA. Dimensions of both have remained the same since implemented. I think the NBA took the old ABA dimensions, but not sure. Also, I thought I had read somewhere that the NBA had previously had a three point line, abolished it, and brought it back in the 70s.

Looked it up in ESPN's SportsCentury - lots of good info there.

1978 NBA, 1986 NCAA, no evidence of previous iterations

ABA formed in 1967, I think with the 3 pointer

In 1976, ABA dissolved with Pacers, Nuggets, Spurs and Nets joining NBA. 3 point shot soon followed in NBA. I like the 3 pointer, but Dr. J was my favorite ABA import.

Are you sure about the NBA line staying the same? I thought I remembered it being pushed in a bit, maybe in the late 80's, in the hope that making it a more makeable shot it would unpack the inside more, and I thought that it was successful in that, and 3's went up dramatically right after the change.

Top of the arc is 23'9", which is the original dimension as I remember it. But 3 point percentages are far higher now than in the 70s when it was introduced.

Yes the 3point line was moved in for 2 years but was moved back to the original distance after that.

Here is a question relating to the 3-pt line.

Who made the first 3 pointer in the NBA and for what college team did he play?

For those who do not know:

'Sudden Sam' Smith made the first 3-pointer in the NBA.

He played for, who else but UNLV!

He still plays in the local area and he has a daughter playing D-I basketball. And, he can still shoot the 3.

I thought it was Chris Ford, Boston Cetlics...

or did he make the first 4-pt play?

seem to recall him having some trivial significance with the advent of the 3 ptr.

anyone help?

SportsCentury lists it as Chris Ford, which is also how I remember it. One of the top original 3 point shooters.