EuroBasket 2022 will have a ton of appeal for NBA fans, as this year’s tournament will feature some of the league’s best players, including two-time MVP award winners Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, and three-time All-NBA First Team selection Luka Doncic.
But before you check out EuroBasket action, you may need to brush up on international rules. There are some notable differences between FIBA and NBA play that you will undoubtedly notice.
Let’s dive into the international rules and how they impact EuroBasket games.
MORE: EuroBasket 2022 expert picks, predictions
Watch every EuroBasket 2022 game live and on demand with ESPN+. Sign up now to catch all of the action with some of the NBA’s biggest stars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and more. Stream all games from both the group stage and knockout round from Sept. 1 through the championship on Sept. 18.
NBA vs. international rules, explained
Length of game
NBA: There are four 12-minute periods. Overtime periods last five minutes.
International: There are four 10-minute periods. Overtime periods also last five minutes in international play.
3-point line
NBA: The 3-point line has a radius of 7.24 meters (6.7 meters in the corners).
International: The 3-point line has a radius of 6.75 meters (6.6 meters in the corners).
Personal, flagrant and technical fouls
NBA: The personal foul limit is six. Technical fouls are not considered personal fouls. A player is ejected if he receives two technical fouls. There are also Flagrant 1 and Flagrant 2 fouls that can be called for “unnecessary” or “excessive” contact.
International: The personal foul limit is five. Technical fouls count toward the foul limit. Instead of Flagrant 1 and Flagrant 2 fouls, there are unsportsmanlike fouls, though they essentially cover the same type of contact.
Goaltending
NBA: Players are not allowed to touch the ball when it is on a downward flight toward the rim. They are also not allowed to touch the ball when it is above the basket ring and within the imaginary cylinder.
International: Players are not allowed to touch the ball when it is on a downward flight toward the rim. However, they can touch the ball after it has hit the rim, even if the ball is still within the imaginary cylinder.
Defensive three-second violation
NBA: Players are not allowed to stay in the lane for more than three seconds if they are not actively guarding an opponent. If a player violates the defensive three-second violation, a technical foul is assessed.
International: There is no defensive three-second rule.
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