Difference in Rules Between NBA & College Basketball

NBA basketball and college, or NCAA, basketball may look similar at first glance, but there are many differences between the two games. Professional NBA players receive a large amount of money for playing basketball and college players are not allowed to receive money. In most cases, NCAA players receive scholarships for free education. This is mainly because one of the main aspects of the NBA is to entertain people and generate money, and the main aspect of college basketball is to scout the best players to move them up to the NBA level. Aside from these major differences, there are also more technical differences.

  1. Game Time

    • The NBA plays a four quarter game, and each quarter is 12 minutes long, totaling 48 minutes of play time. NCAA basketball plays two halves, and each half is 20 minutes. This totals 40 minutes of play time. The shot clock, which shows the amount of time one team is allowed possession of the ball at a time, on an NBA board is 24 seconds, but the shot clock in college basketball is 35 seconds.

    Fouls

    • Each player in the NBA is allowed six fouls, and on your sixth foul you are out of the game. Once the team as a whole commits five fouls, the opposing team is given two bonus shots, or free throws, that are worth one point each. Each player in NCAA basketball is allowed five fouls, and on your fifth foul you are out of the game. Once the team as a whole commits seven fouls, the opposing team is given a one-and-one bonus; this is when a player is allowed two shots, but may only be able to shoot one of them. If the first shot goes in, he is allowed a second shot. If the first shot is missed, anybody on any team can rebound. Once the team as a whole commits ten fouls, the opposing teams is given two bonus shots, whether the first shot is missed or made. If an NBA team, player or coach receives a technical foul, the opposing team is awarded one shot. If an NCAA team, player or coach receives a technical foul, the opposing team is awarded two shots.

    Uniform

    • In both NBA and NCAA basketball, your jersey has to be tucked into your shorts and your shorts are not allowed to hang past your knees. The slight difference here is that, in NCAA basketball, if a player's uniform is out of place, the referee will blow his whistle and wait until the player adjusts his uniform. In the NBA, a player with his uniform out of place will be fined.

    Court Size

    • The difference in court sizes is noticed at the three-point line. In the NBA, the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches from the basket. In NCAA basketball, the three-point line is 20 feet 9 inches from the basket. Also, the three-point arc is a true arc in NCAA basketball, but in the NBA, the arc is cut off on the two sides.

    Zone Defense

    • Zone defense is "a defensive scheme geared to keep the offense out of the paint...it helps give the defense the rebounds and slows the other team down," according to professional basketball player Gordon Watt. A zone defense is allowed in college basketball but is not allowed in the NBA. If a zone defense is caught twice in one NBA game, two technical fouls will be awarded to the other team.

    Eligibility

    • In NCAA basketball, a player must be eligible to play. This means he must maintain a certain grade point average or he will not be allowed to play. In the NBA there are no such requirements.

    Sponsors

    • In NCAA basketball the entire team may be sponsored by a company, but an individual player cannot solely be sponsored on his own. For example, if Nike sponsors a team then all players must wear Nike during the games. In the NBA, each player has their own sponsors and endorsements. One player can be sponsored by Nike and one can be sponsored by Reebok. If a college player accepts any kind of individual monetary attention, it is considered illegal benefits and he can lose his scholarship or eligibility.