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The National Basketball Association has approved an experimental rule change – the International Goaltending Rule – in its minor league, the NBA Development League, for the 2005-06 season.

“The D-League gives us an opportunity to experiment with the rules of the game,” said Stu Jackson, NBA Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations. “With this rule change experiment in our development league, we will be able to observe how the game is affected and gather data from an entire basketball season in a league with like rules and a similar style.”

The rule states:

a. Any player may touch the ball after a field goal or free throw attempt hits the rim and no part of the ball has entered the basket. The ball is considered in the basket if it is within the cylinder and any part of the ball is below rim level.

b. Two points shall be awarded on a successful basket when the ball has been touched by any player after a shot has hit the rim and no part of the ball has entered the basket.

c. Points shall be scored consistent with the type of shot attempted if an offensive player touches the ball after a shot attempt hits the rim and any part of the ball is in the basket.

The exception to A, B AND C in the rule is if the period ends while the ball is in flight on a field goal attempt or an official’s whistle sounds on any shot attempt, no player may touch the ball until the attempt has ended. All goaltending and basket interference rules are in affect.

The league is not considering similar rule changes in the NBA at the current time. Potential NBA rule changes are first considered by the league’s Competition Committee before being recommended to the Board of Governors. Rule changes in the NBA require a two-thirds vote in favor by the Board of Governors.

“While our primary objective is developing talent for the NBA, we are also committed to helping grow the game of basketball,” D-League president Phil Evans said. “We are pleased the NBA is continuing to utilize the D-League to experiment with rule changes that may make the game more exciting for basketball fans.”

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