Field goal (basketball)
Encyclopedia
In basketball
, the term field goal refers to a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw
, worth two or three points depending on the distance of the attempt from the basket. "Field Goal" is the official terminology used by the National Basketball Association
(NBA) in their rule book, their box scores and statistics, and in referees' rulings. The same term is also the official wording used by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) and high school basketball.
The most crowd-pleasing of all field goals is called a slam dunk
. This occurs when a player jumps near the basket with possession of the ball, throwing the ball down through the basket while airborne. One of the greatest field-goal shooters of all time is Michael Jordan
, who led the NBA with 10 scoring titles. Wilt Chamberlain
, one of the most prolific scorers of all time holds all the top 4 spots for most field goals made in a season. Shaquille O'Neal
has the highest record for most seasons (10) with the best field goal percentage, and Artis Gilmore
has the record for highest career field goal percentage (59.9%). Steve Nash
is seen as one of the greatest all-around shooters in NBA history, holding the record for 50-40-90
seasons, a mark of all around shooting for 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws. Nash has recorded five of the eleven 50-40-90 seasons in NBA history.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, the term field goal refers to a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw
Free throw
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points from a restricted area on the court , and are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team...
, worth two or three points depending on the distance of the attempt from the basket. "Field Goal" is the official terminology used by the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA) in their rule book, their box scores and statistics, and in referees' rulings. The same term is also the official wording used by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) and high school basketball.
The most crowd-pleasing of all field goals is called a slam dunk
Slam dunk
A slam dunk is a type of basketball shot that is performed when a player jumps in the air and manually powers the ball downward through the basket with one or both hands over the rim. This is considered a normal field goal attempt; if successful it is worth two points. The term "slam dunk" was...
. This occurs when a player jumps near the basket with possession of the ball, throwing the ball down through the basket while airborne. One of the greatest field-goal shooters of all time is Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, who led the NBA with 10 scoring titles. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...
, one of the most prolific scorers of all time holds all the top 4 spots for most field goals made in a season. Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA...
has the highest record for most seasons (10) with the best field goal percentage, and Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association...
has the record for highest career field goal percentage (59.9%). Steve Nash
Steve Nash
Stephen John "Steve" Nash, OC, OBC is a South African-born Canadian professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association . Nash enjoyed a successful high-school basketball career, and he was eventually given a scholarship by Santa Clara...
is seen as one of the greatest all-around shooters in NBA history, holding the record for 50-40-90
50-40-90 Club (NBA)
The 50–40–90 Club is an informal term referring to the very exclusive group of National Basketball Association players who have had a shooting percentage at or above 50% for field goals, 40% for three-point field goals, and 90% for free throws during an entire NBA season while also achieving the...
seasons, a mark of all around shooting for 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws. Nash has recorded five of the eleven 50-40-90 seasons in NBA history.