<P> During the 1994--95, 1995--96, and 1996--97 seasons, the NBA attempted to address decreased scoring by shortening the distance of the line from 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m) (22 ft (6.71 m) at the corners) to a uniform 22 ft (6.71 m) around the basket . From the 1997--98 season on, the NBA reverted the line to its original distance of 23 ft 9 in (22 ft at the corners, with a 3 inch differential). Ray Allen is currently the NBA all - time leader in career made three - pointers with 2,973 . </P> <P> In 2008, FIBA announced that the distance would be increased by 50 cm (19.69 in) to 6.75 m (22 ft 1 ⁄ in), with the change being phased in beginning in October 2010 . In December 2012, the WNBA announced that it would be using FIBA's distance, too, as of the 2013 season . The NBA has discussed adding a four - point line, according to president Rod Thorn . </P> <P> In the NBA, three - point field goals have become increasingly more frequent along the years, with effectiveness increasing slightly . The 1979 - 80 season had an average 2.2 three - point goals per game and 6.6 attempts (28% effectiveness). The 1989 - 90 season had an average 4.8 three - point goals per game and 13.7 attempts (35% effectiveness). The 2009 - 10 season had an average 6.4 three - point goals per game and 18.1 attempts (36% effectiveness). The 2016 - 17 season had an average 9.7 three - point goals per game and 27.0 attempts (36% effectiveness). </P> <P> A three - point line consists of an arc at a set radius measured from the point on the floor directly below the center of the basket, and two parallel lines equidistant from each sideline extending from the nearest end line to the point at which they intersect the arc . In the NBA and FIBA standard, the arc spans the width of the court until it is a specified minimum distance from each sideline . The three - point line then becomes parallel to the sidelines from those points to the baseline . The unusual formation of the three - point line at these levels allows players some space from which to attempt a three - point shot at the corners of the court; the arc would be less than 2 feet (0.61 m) from each sideline at the corners if it was a continuous arc . In the NCAA and American high school standards, the arc spans 180 ° around the basket, then becomes parallel to the sidelines from the plane of the basket center to the baseline (5 feet 3 inches or 1.60 metres). The distance of the three - point line to the center of the hoop varies by level: </P>

When was the 3 point line added to basketball