The dunk has long been the hallmark of basketball—a moment where athleticism and power merge in a single leap. Now in Australia, there are proposals to pay not two but three points for it, and a shot from mid-court a full four. This is not just an experiment but an attempt to rewrite the balance that has kept the game in equilibrium for decades.
The NBL has submitted an application to test rule changes: a dunk would be worth three points, and a 'logo three' from the center would be worth four. The idea arose for spectacular moments at the preseason Blitz tournament, but Basketball Australia has referred the matter to FIBA. Timing did not allow for immediate implementation, but the desire to test the innovations remains.
Behind the proposal is a desire to attract viewers in an era when three-point shots already account for about 40% of attempts in top leagues. The dunk is already reliable, its share is growing, but the league wants even more highlights. At the same time, such changes could push teams toward risky defense for quick dunks and enhance the advantage of tall players.
Community reaction is divided. Some call the idea a circus and fear it will destroy the essence of basketball. Others, like Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena, see it as a bold step: 'You can't improve without risk.' Rule variations already exist worldwide—from a shorter three-point line in FIBA to a four-point arc in the Philippines.
The hardest part here is understanding where the line lies between renewal and loss of identity. Imagine chess where the queen is suddenly valued at ten points: the piece remains the same, but the entire strategy breaks. Similarly here: the dunk ceases to be just a spectacular finish to an attack and becomes the main lever of scoring.
The NBL season 2026–27 starts already in September, and for now the changes depend on FIBA's decision. The question is not just about points, but about what kind of basketball fans and leagues want to see in the coming years—more spectacular or more traditional.
