I posted this on another thread, but didn't get much of a response and I would really appreciate one. So...
For the purpose of resetting the shot clock, is it considered a shot if the player never lets go of the ball?

For example, a player attempting a dunk, pins the ball against the rim and then comes back down with it.

Or what about a player who simply jumps and touches the ball to the rim and then returns to the floor?

The reason you didn't get a definitive answer is that the FED and NCAA haven't given us a definitive answer. We had a very long discussion about this about a year or so ago, and could not resolve it. Either:

a) It's a try, as the player is clearly trying to dunk the ball. Since it's a try, and the ball has struck the rim, reset the shot clock. Also since it's a try, he can come back down with the ball without it being a violation; OR

b) The ball was never released, so no try was made even tho the ball hit the rim. Since it's not a try, no reset, and since the player had control all the way up to the rim and back to the floor, it's a travel.

As I said, there's no clear direction from FED or NCAA as to whether (a) or (b) is correct.

Chuck

Thanks much Chuck.

Excellent question!
 

For what it's worth, I would vote for making it a try. A dunk - now the focal point of the whole freakin' game - is inherently different but still a 'shot', a try for goal. Let's accept that.

In both situations, player has control of ball, gone up and come down with the ball. "Travel violation".