3 seconds

[BillyMac]

The intent of the three-second rule is to not allow an offensive player in the lane to gain an advantage. There is no three-second count between the release of a shot and the control of a rebound, at which time a new count starts. There is no three-second count during a throwin. There is no three-second count while the ball is in the backcourt. There is a three-second count during an interrupted dribble. There is a three-second count while an offensive player has one foot in the lane and one foot outside of the lane, and it’s a violation if the player lifts the foot in the lane so that neither foot is touching the paint. It’s a violation for a player to step out of bounds in an attempt to avoid a three second violation. Allowance shall be made for a player who, having been in the restricted area for less than three seconds, dribbles in or moves immediately to try for goal.

Note: The Mythbusters team includes the word "advantage" in the paragraph regarding three seconds. Many may want to ignore, or delete, the word "advantage". Less chance for a lengthly online debate that way.