In the world of basketball entertainment, there was one power and that was the NBA, but there is another that is emerging and rising to new heights and that is the WNBA. The WNBA was established in 1997, but the first women's league was created in 1976. The two leagues have the same focus and lover for the game. The WNBA has everything that the NBA has; there are the fast breaks and the sweet plays. There are also noticeable differences in the two leagues like three point line, the size of the ball, illegal defense and shot clock time.
In the WNBA the three point line is much closer to the rim the women are only 19"9" inches from the rim while the men's, is 22" inches from the rim. "We"re rewriting the rule book" said Kelly krawkkop director of the basketball operations. (WNBA Rules). To make the game more exciting and since the WNBA has been around for a short time the rules where altered to better accommodate the women's abilities and size. This makes for opportunity for the women to be able to score easier since they are much closer to the rim, and also gradually take the steps to one day play at the men's level. .
Secondly when it comes to the size of the ball the women's use 28.5-inch circumference 18-20 oz. ball to play the game. The men on the other hand, have 29.5 inches in circumference ball to play the game. But when playing in the Olympics the men and the women use 30-inch size ball to play, because that is the standard size for the international ball. The smaller ball makes for better handling and when passed for a better grasp by the player. The smaller ball also makes for better shooting.
Finally the WNBA has no illegal defense while in the NBA there is illegal defense, and that is where only men on men defense is allowed which allows the offense to score easier. The other noticeable difference between the two leagues is the time allowed for the shot clock the WNBA have thirty seconds.
