threepointer

A threepointer, often shortened to "three-pointer" or "triple," is a type of score in the sport of basketball. It is awarded when a player successfully shoots the ball through the hoop from beyond a designated arc on the court. This arc, known as the three-point line, is located at different distances from the basket in various basketball leagues and competitions. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the line is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 meters) from the center of the hoop at its deepest point and 22 feet (6.71 meters) in the corners. The international governing body FIBA uses a slightly shorter distance, 6.75 meters (22 feet 1.75 inches).

The value of a successful threepointer is three points, as opposed to the two points awarded for shots made from inside the arc or the one point awarded for successful free throws. The introduction of the three-point line in professional basketball, most notably by the NBA in the 1979-80 season, significantly altered game strategy. Teams began to emphasize perimeter shooting, and players specializing in long-range accuracy became highly valuable assets. The ability to score three points with a single shot can rapidly change the momentum of a game and has become a crucial element of modern basketball offenses. Players who consistently make a high percentage of their threepointers are often referred to as "sharpshooters" or "snipers."