About Jamie Selko Expertise Any question about NBA stats up until 1975, A.B.A., A.B.L., most draft questions, some minor
league Basketball
Nothing about NBA since 1975
Experience Just study and reading and list-making
Education/Credentials MA, International relations, Boston U., 1989
Question Why foul line is 15 feet away from the hoop ?
Answer Howdy- originally, the foul line was 20 feet from the hoop, or, farther than today's college 3-point line. In 1894-95, the foul line was moved to 15 feet (incidentally, the same year that free-throws became one point). Just as with baseball's changing mound distance, the foul-line distance was arbitrarily placed. Apparently (again, as with baseball's 60'6" mound), the new distance met with general approval and the rules regarding it's being 15' were never challenged.
