Did pistol pete have a 3 point line in college?

Did Pistol Pete Have a 3-Point Line in College?

Pistol Pete Maravich is widely regarded as one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. He played for Louisiana State University (LSU) from 1967 to 1970 and holds numerous records that still stand today. One of the most debated topics surrounding Maravich’s college career is whether he had a 3-point line in college. In this article, we will delve into the history of the 3-point line in college basketball and examine the evidence to answer this question.

The Early Years of the 3-Point Line

The 3-point line was first introduced in college basketball in the 1980-1981 season. However, it was not a standard feature in all conferences and divisions. The NCAA, the governing body of college basketball, did not officially adopt the 3-point line until the 1980-1981 season.

Before the introduction of the 3-point line, teams would often play with a "long shot" line, which was typically 25-28 feet from the basket. This line was used to encourage teams to shoot more three-pointers, which were considered a low-percentage shot at the time.

Pistol Pete’s College Career

Pistol Pete Maravich played for LSU from 1967 to 1970 and holds numerous records that still stand today. During his college career, Maravich averaged 44.2 points per game, which is still the highest average in NCAA Division I history.

Maravich’s playing style was characterized by his exceptional ball-handling, unmatched scoring ability, and unparalleled work ethic. He was known for his ability to score from anywhere on the court, and his shooting range was considered one of the longest in college basketball at the time.

The Question: Did Pistol Pete Have a 3-Point Line in College?

So, did Pistol Pete Maravich have a 3-point line in college? The answer is NO. During Maravich’s college career, the 3-point line did not exist in college basketball. The NCAA did not officially adopt the 3-point line until the 1980-1981 season, which was four years after Maravich graduated from LSU.

However, it’s worth noting that Maravich did play in a few exhibition games and all-star games that featured a 3-point line. These games were not part of the regular college basketball season and were played against professional and international teams.

Comparison to Modern-Day Players

To put Maravich’s shooting range into perspective, let’s compare him to some modern-day players. Steph Curry, widely considered one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, has a 3-point range that extends to around 30 feet. Klay Thompson, another elite shooter, has a range that extends to around 28 feet.

Maravich’s shooting range was considered long for his time, but it was not as deep as what we see today. His ability to score from anywhere on the court was due to his exceptional ball-handling, unmatched scoring ability, and unparalleled work ethic, rather than his shooting range.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pistol Pete Maravich did not have a 3-point line in college. The 3-point line was not officially adopted in college basketball until the 1980-1981 season, which was four years after Maravich graduated from LSU. However, Maravich’s shooting range was considered long for his time and was a key part of his playing style.

Table: Pistol Pete’s College Statistics

References

• NCAA.com: History of the 3-Point Line
• LSU Athletics: Pistol Pete Maravich’s Bio
• ESPN: Pistol Pete Maravich’s College Stats