Section 3: Playing Area
The Court
The FIBA court is smaller than the NBA court:
- Length: 28 meters (91.86 feet) — NBA is 28.65m (94 feet)
- Width: 15 meters (49.21 feet) — NBA is 15.24m (50 feet)
- Surface: Hardwood or synthetic surface with uniform bounce characteristics
- Ceiling height: Minimum 7 meters (23 feet) clear above the court for FIBA Level 1 competitions
Court Markings
- All lines: 50mm (2 inches) wide, painted in a color clearly contrasting with the floor
- Sidelines: The longer boundary lines running the 28m length
- End lines: The shorter boundary lines running the 15m width
- Centre line: A line parallel to the end lines, dividing the court into two equal halves, extending 150mm beyond each sideline
- Centre circle: Radius of 1.80m (5.9 feet) measured to the outer edge of the line
Three-Point Line
The FIBA three-point line is closer to the basket than the NBA line:
- Arc distance: 6.75 meters (22.15 feet) from the center of the basket — NBA is 7.24m (23.75ft)
- Corner distance: 6.75m uniform (no shortened corners) — the arc meets the sidelines at a perpendicular angle
- Note: FIBA moved the three-point line from 6.25m to 6.75m in 2010 to better space the floor
The Restricted Area (Key / Paint)
FIBA uses a rectangular restricted area (since 2010, previously trapezoidal):
- Width: 4.90m (16.08 feet) — essentially the same width as the NBA's 16-foot lane
- Length: 5.80m (19.03 feet) from the end line to the free throw line
- Free throw line: 4.60m (15.09 feet) from the inner edge of the end line, 5.80m from the outer edge
- Free throw semicircle: Radius of 1.80m
- Historical note: FIBA used a trapezoidal key (wider at the baseline) until 2010, when it was changed to rectangular to match the NBA configuration
No-Charge Semicircle
- Radius: 1.25m (4.1 feet) from the center of the basket — NBA is 1.22m (4 feet)
- Purpose: Same as NBA restricted area arc — a defensive player in this area cannot draw a charge
Team Bench Areas
Each team bench is positioned on the same side of the court as the scorer's table. The benches must be at least 2 meters from the nearest boundary line. Only players listed on the scoresheet, coaches (maximum 2 for senior competition), assistant coaches, team manager, and medical staff may sit on the bench.