Widened Lane from 12 to 16 Feet

The Rule Change

The lane was widened from 12 feet to its current 16 feet, primarily in response to Wilt Chamberlain's dominance in the paint. This was the second widening — the lane had already gone from 6 to 12 feet in 1951 to counter George Mikan.

Statistical Impact

Reduced the effectiveness of pure back-to-the-basket centers by pushing them further from the rim. Contributed to the gradual evolution toward more perimeter-oriented offenses and versatile big men.

3-Year Average: Before vs. After