Basketball (FIBA) vs Basketball — Same Game, Different Rules

The NBA maintains a comprehensive concussion management program developed in collaboration with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

FIBA has implemented comprehensive concussion management procedures for all Level 1 and Level 2 competitions: Recognition: Any player suspected of sustaining a concussion must be immediately removed from the game for evaluation; Assessment: The FIBA Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) is used...

All court boundary lines and markings are 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide and painted in a contrasting color to the floor surface. Key markings include: Sidelines: The two longer boundary lines running the length of the court (94 feet); Baselines (end lines): The two shorter boundary lines running the wi...

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

Two-point field goal (2 points): A basket made from inside the three-point arc (within 23 feet 9 inches of the basket, or 22 feet in the corners). This includes layups, dunks, hook shots, floaters, and mid-range jump shots.; Three-point field goal (3 points): A basket made from beyond the three-p...

Two-point field goal: A shot made from inside the three-point line scores 2 points; Three-point field goal: A shot made from behind the 6.75m (22.15ft) three-point arc scores 3 points. The shooter's feet must be entirely behind the line at the point of release. If a foot is on the line, it counts...

Free throw (1 point each): Uncontested shots taken from the free throw line (15 feet from the backboard), awarded after certain fouls; The shooter must release the ball within 10 seconds of receiving it from the official; Other players line up in designated lane spaces during free throw attempts:...

Value: 1 point each; Awarded for: Personal fouls on a shooter (2 free throws for a two-point attempt, 3 for a three-point attempt), unsportsmanlike fouls (2 free throws + possession), disqualifying fouls, technical fouls (1 free throw in FIBA, 2 in NBA); Team foul bonus: Starting from the 5th tea...

An NBA game consists of four 12-minute quarters, for a total of 48 minutes of regulation play. The game clock stops for dead balls, fouls, violations, timeouts, and other stoppages, meaning actual elapsed time is significantly longer (typically 2 to 2.5 hours).

A FIBA game consists of 4 × 10-minute quarters (40 minutes total), compared to the NBA's 4 × 12-minute quarters (48 minutes): Quarters: 4 periods of 10 minutes each; Half-time interval: 15 minutes (can be extended to 20 minutes for major events); Between quarters: 2-minute interval between the fi...

Defensive goaltending: A defender may not touch the ball while it is on its downward arc toward the basket, above the rim level, or after it has touched the backboard. If a defensive goaltending violation occurs, the basket counts automatically.; Offensive goaltending / basket interference: An of...

This is a major rule difference from the NBA: FIBA rule: Once the ball touches the rim, any player may touch it — even while it is still on or above the cylinder of the basket. Players may tip the ball off the rim or swat it away.; NBA rule: No player may touch the ball while it is on the rim, wi...

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...

3-second violation: An offensive player may not remain in the restricted area (paint) for more than 3 consecutive seconds — same as NBA; 5-second violation: On throw-ins, a player must release the ball within 5 seconds. A closely guarded player holding the ball must pass, shoot, or dribble within...

If the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, a 5-minute overtime period is played; Overtime begins with a jump ball at center court; Each team receives 2 timeouts per overtime period

If the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, a 5-minute overtime period is played — same as NBA; Overtime starts with a jump ball at center court; Each team receives 1 timeout per overtime period

A personal foul is illegal physical contact by a player against an opponent. Personal fouls include holding, pushing, charging, blocking, hand-checking, and illegal screens.

Limit: 5 personal fouls per player (NBA allows 6); Types: Contact fouls (pushing, holding, charging, blocking, hand-checking), shooting fouls, offensive fouls, loose ball fouls; Penalty: The fouled team receives a throw-in, unless the foul was on a shooter (free throws) or the team is in the bonu...

Each team fields five players on the court at any time. The five traditional positions are: Point Guard (PG): The primary ball-handler and playmaker, responsible for running the team's offense, calling plays, and distributing the ball. Typically the best passer and floor general on the team.; Sho...

FIBA uses the same five positions as the NBA: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. International basketball has historically emphasized more team-oriented, motion-...

Jersey: Each player must wear a jersey with a unique number (0–99) on both the front and back. Numbers must be at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) tall on the back and 4 inches (10.2 cm) on the front.; Shorts: Must be of a uniform color matching the team's designated uniform for that game; Shoes: Basketb...

Jersey numbers: 0–99 permitted (expanded from the traditional 4–15 range in 2014); Jersey: Must be tucked in. Numbers on front (minimum 100mm/4in tall) and back (minimum 200mm/8in tall); Shorts: Same dominant color as the jersey. Must end above the knee or at the knee.

The official NBA game ball is manufactured by Wilson (replacing Spalding beginning with the 2021-2022 season).

FIBA approves specific balls for official competition. The Molten BG5000 is the official game ball for major FIBA competitions.

The NBA playing court is a rectangular, flat, hard surface with the following dimensions: Length: 94 feet (28.65 m); Width: 50 feet (15.24 m); Surface: Hardwood (typically maple), sanded and finished to provide consistent ball bounce and player traction. All NBA courts are indoor facilities with ...

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

An NBA game consists of four 12-minute quarters, for a total of 48 minutes of regulation play. The game clock stops for dead balls, fouls, violations, timeouts, and other stoppages, meaning actual elapsed time is significantly longer (typically 2 to 2.5 hours).

A FIBA game consists of 4 × 10-minute quarters (40 minutes total), compared to the NBA's 4 × 12-minute quarters (48 minutes): Quarters: 4 periods of 10 minutes each; Half-time interval: 15 minutes (can be extended to 20 minutes for major events); Between quarters: 2-minute interval between the fi...

The player who last controls the ball on a successful shot attempt is credited with the field goal or free throw. If a player tips in a teammate's missed shot, the tipping player is credited with the basket.

This is a major rule difference from the NBA: Two-point field goal: A shot made from inside the three-point line scores 2 points; Three-point field goal: A shot made from behind the 6.75m (22.15ft) three-point arc scores 3 points. The shooter's feet must be entirely behind the line at the point o...

Each team is entitled to one Coach's Challenge per game. A coach may challenge a personal foul called on their team, a goaltending or basket interference call, or an out-of-bounds call.

FIBA has implemented comprehensive concussion management procedures for all Level 1 and Level 2 competitions: Recognition: Any player suspected of sustaining a concussion must be immediately removed from the game for evaluation; Assessment: The FIBA Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) is used...

The offensive team must attempt a shot that hits the rim within 24 seconds of gaining possession of the ball. The shot clock was introduced in the 1954-1955 season to increase pace of play and scoring.

The offensive team must attempt a shot that hits the rim within 24 seconds — same as the NBA. However, reset rules differ: Full reset (24 seconds): After a change of possession, after the ball goes out of bounds off the defensive team in the backcourt; Reset to 14 seconds: After an offensive rebo...

Jump ball: Each game and overtime period begins with a jump ball at center court. Two opposing players stand inside the center circle, and the referee tosses the ball upward between them. Each jumper may tap the ball after it reaches its highest point.; Alternating possession: After the opening j...

Jump ball: Only used to start the game (first quarter) and each overtime period; Alternating possession: All subsequent held ball and jump ball situations are resolved using the alternating possession arrow. The team that did not gain possession from the opening tip gets the next alternating poss...

Substitutions may be made during any dead ball situation (after a made basket, during a timeout, after a foul, after a violation, or at the start of a period); A substitute must report to the scorer's table and wait to be beckoned onto the court by an official; There is no limit to the number of ...

Substitutions may be made during any dead ball situation when the game clock is stopped; The substitute must report to the scorer's table and wait to be beckoned onto the court by an official; A substitution opportunity begins when the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped, and the officia...

Each team's bench area is located on the same side of the court as the scorer's table. The first seat must be a minimum of 28 feet from the nearest baseline.

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.

Each NBA team carries a roster of up to 15 players during the regular season, with an additional two-way contract slots (up to 2 players who split time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate). On game day, teams designate 13 active player...

FIBA teams have a smaller roster than NBA teams: Roster: Maximum 12 players eligible per game (NBA allows 13 active + 2 inactive); On court: 5 players per team at all times; Captain: Each team must designate a captain on the scoresheet. The captain is the only player who may address officials abo...

The official NBA game ball is manufactured by Wilson (replacing Spalding beginning with the 2021-2022 season).

FIBA approves specific balls for official competition. The Molten BG5000 is the official game ball for major FIBA competitions.

The NBA playing court is a rectangular, flat, hard surface with the following dimensions: Length: 94 feet (28.65 m); Width: 50 feet (15.24 m); Surface: Hardwood (typically maple), sanded and finished to provide consistent ball bounce and player traction. All NBA courts are indoor facilities with ...

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

The NBA three-point line is an arc surrounding each basket: Arc distance: 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the center of the basket at the apex; Corner distance: 22 feet (6.71 m) from the center of the basket in the corners, where the arc meets the sideline. The line runs parallel to the sideline f...

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 th...

Each team is granted 7 timeouts per game (no distinction between full and 20-second timeouts since the 2017-2018 season); Each timeout is 75 seconds in duration; Teams are limited to 4 timeouts in the fourth quarter and may not carry more than 2 timeouts into the final 3 minutes of the fourth qua...

FIBA timeout rules are much more restrictive than the NBA: First half: 2 timeouts per team; Second half: 3 timeouts per team (maximum 2 in the last 2 minutes); Overtime: 1 timeout per team per overtime period