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NBA vs NCAA

AFirst Sport

NBA

Basketball

First Sport

Details

Players5

Settingindoor

SeasonOfficial 2025-26 NBA Playing Rules (PDF: cdn.nba.com/manage/2026/01/Official-2025-26-NBA-Playing-Rules.pdf)

CategoryTeam Sports

BSecond Sport

NCAA

Basketball (NCAA Women)

Second Sport

Details

Players5

Settingindoor

Season2025-26 NCAA Women's Basketball Rules Book (four-quarter format, 30-second shot clock, per-quarter bonus framework)

CategoryTeam Sports

Shared Topics

Different Rules

Shared Rules

Rule-by-Rule Comparison(10)

Flagrant Fouls

Different

NBA

Flagrant Foul 1 (unnecessary contact): Contact that is unnecessary but not excessive. Penalty: 2 free throws and possession for the offended team. The play is reviewable by officials and the Replay Center.; Flagrant Foul 2 (unnecessary and excessive contact): Contact that is both unnecessary and ...

NCAA

Flagrant 1: excessive contact not directed at head/neck — 2 FT + possession; remains in game; Flagrant 2: dangerous or intentional contact, head/neck contact — 2 FT + possession + ejection; Replay review confirms flagrant fouls

Other Violations

Different

NBA

Out of bounds: The ball is out of bounds when it touches the floor, a player, or any object on or outside the boundary line. Possession is awarded to the opposing team of the player who last touched the ball.; Backcourt violation (over and back): Once the ball is established in the frontcourt, th...

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Rule-by-Rule Comparison(10)

Flagrant Fouls

Other Violations

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Personal Fouls

Section 2: Equipment

Section 3: Playing Area

Section 5: Rules of Play

Section 6: Scoring

Section 8: Safety Considerations

Substitutions

Technical Fouls