Are you allowed to hang on the rim in the NBA?
Asked by: Alisa Muller | Last update: February 12, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (75 votes)
No, you are generally not allowed to hang on the rim in the NBA, as it's a technical foul for deliberately grasping the rim, net, or backboard after a dunk, unless it's to avoid injury to yourself or another player. Officials must judge if the player is hanging for safety (allowing the call) or for show/emphasis (calling the technical), leading to subjective and sometimes controversial enforcement, even though the rule aims for player safety and preventing thuggish play.
Can NBA players hang on the rim?
Any player who in the opinion of the officials has deliberately hung on the basket ring shall be assessed a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul and a fine of $2000.
Why is palming illegal?
Palming (or carrying) is illegal in basketball because it gives the dribbler an unfair advantage by allowing them to stop and restart their dribble, effectively controlling the ball too much, similar to holding it, which disrupts game flow and favors the offense over defense. It occurs when a player puts their hand under the ball and allows it to come to rest, or grips it excessively during a dribble, which breaks the fundamental rule of continuous bouncing, leading to a turnover.
Why can't you wear 69 in the NBA?
The NBA doesn't have an official rule banning the number 69, but it's unofficially prohibited due to its explicit sexual connotations, leading the league to deny players like Dennis Rodman when they requested it, forcing them to choose numbers like 70 instead. While numbers 00-99 are generally allowed, #69 is considered inappropriate for the league's image, preventing its use by players.
What is the only NBA number banned?
The nba banned the number 69 after Rodman requested it, there were only a few printed and Cuban has one.
NBA “Hanging on the Rim” Moments
Is 6 9 short for NBA?
Basketball is a sport dominated by tall people. Less than 1% of all men in the United States are 6-foot-9 or taller, but more than half of the MVP awards in NBA history have been won by players at least that height.
Can a player catch his own airball?
Yes, you can catch your own airball in most basketball leagues (NCAA, FIBA, High School) if it was a legitimate shot attempt, but it's illegal in the NBA, where it's a travel because you can't be the first to touch your own missed shot unless it hits the rim or backboard first. The key is whether the official deems it a true shot attempt (legal to rebound) or an intentional self-pass (illegal).
What's the hardest position in basketball?
Point guard is widely considered the hardest basketball position due to its immense mental load as the "floor general," requiring high basketball IQ, leadership, and decision-making to run the offense, control tempo, and know every player's role, while also facing intense physical pressure and needing elite dribbling and court vision to navigate defenses and orchestrate plays. While centers face immense physical battles and forwards must be versatile, the point guard's responsibility as an extension of the coach, managing all aspects of the game, makes it uniquely demanding.
Why is double dribbling illegal?
So, why is the double dribble in basketball illegal? In simple terms, it's unfair to the defense. A player who has possession of the ball but has yet to use their dribble is dangerous because they have options. They can still shoot, dribble, or pass.
What NBA players can't palm a ball?
Kevin Durant Cannot Palm an NBA Basketball. Reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant is arguably the most talented baller in the universe, but he's not perfect. Despite being nearly 7 feet tall and blessed with an endless wingspan, KD admits that he's unable to palm the official NBA ball.
Why does the NBA not call carrying?
However, it's worth noting that in recent years, NBA referees rarely call carrying – just like they only call the most blatant traveling violations. The NBA wants high-scoring games full of entertaining plays, so the league is less strict about carrying than in past eras (and even less strict than college basketball).
What is the Charles Barkley rule?
The "Charles Barkley Rule" refers to the NBA's five-second back-to-the-basket violation, implemented in 1999, which stops players from dribbling with their back or side to the basket for more than five seconds when in the frontcourt below the free-throw line extended while being guarded. It was introduced because Barkley, known for his powerful post-up moves, would often dominate defenders by backing them down for extended periods, slowing the game and making it difficult to defend.
Who broke the most NBA backboards?
The all-star power forward Gus Johnson of the Baltimore Bullets became famous as a backboard breaker in the NBA, shattering three during his career in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Is size 7 the official NBA size?
Yes, a size 7 basketball is the official regulation size for the NBA and all men's professional, college, and high school basketball leagues, measuring 29.5 inches in circumference and weighing 22 ounces. It's the standard for men's play, while women's professional leagues (like the WNBA) use a slightly smaller size 6 ball.
Has anyone had a 50 inch vert?
Yes, several athletes, including Darius Clark, Jalen Green, Isaiah Espinoza, and Riley Smith, have achieved or been credited with a 50-inch vertical leap, though it remains an exceptionally rare feat requiring elite genetics and intense training. These individuals, often dunkers or basketball players, showcase this incredible explosive power, with some reaching even higher or just shy of 50 inches, proving it's possible but incredibly difficult.
Has anyone had 30/20/20?
Yes, Nikola Jokić achieved the NBA's first-ever 30-20-20 game (30+ points, 20+ rebounds, 20+ assists) in March 2025, with a final stat line of 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 22 assists, a historic feat that no one had accomplished before him. He set records for a center and led the Denver Nuggets to an overtime win against the Phoenix Suns.
Is a 3 point layup possible?
Yes, a "3-point layup" is legal and counts as three points in basketball, as long as the player's feet are completely behind the three-point line when they jump, even if they land inside the line; the key is the takeoff point, not the landing spot, for a shot released in mid-air from outside the arc.
What is the hardest move to master in basketball?
While opinions vary, the spin move, with its complex footwork and body control to avoid carrying violations, and mastering elite-level shooting under pressure, requiring both technical perfection and mental toughness, are frequently cited as the hardest moves to truly master in basketball. Other contenders include complex combo dribbles like the Snatchback or intricate footwork moves such as the "LeFuckyou3" (Eurostep variation), demanding immense practice to look seamless and deceptive.
What is 69 in basketball?
In basketball, the number 69 is unofficially banned in the NBA due to its sexual connotations, with no player ever officially wearing it in a game, most famously when Dennis Rodman tried to wear it and was denied, choosing #70 instead. It's an unwritten rule, not an official league mandate, stemming from past attempts by players like Rodman to wear it, which the league vetoed for being inappropriate.
Can a 5'4" man dunk?
Yes, a 5'4" person can dunk, but it requires an exceptional vertical leap (around 40+ inches), long arms (wingspan), and intense, dedicated training in plyometrics, strength, and jumping mechanics, as demonstrated by professional dunkers like Andrew McFly and Ty Jackson, who have achieved this feat. It's not common but achievable with the right physical gifts and focused training.
How tall was Michael Jordan at 15?
At 15, during his sophomore year of high school, Michael Jordan was around 5'10" or 5'11" (178-180 cm), considered too short by his coaches, leading to him being cut from the varsity team, before a significant growth spurt made him much taller by his junior year.