A number of years ago, Sports Illustrated did some experiments with an 11 foot basket. I don't remember many details, except that they found that the ball tended bounce off the rim at an angle that made it easier for smaller players in the back court to get more rebounds. Perhaps someone with enhanced internet search skills can find the article they did about this experiment. I remember that when I read the article I thought that it would be a good idea to implement the higher basket for college basketball, but it, of course, never happened.

I found this article from SI that discusses an Orange and White game at Tenn that experimented with taller baskets. https://vault.si.com/vault/1967/12/04/the-case-for-the-12...

The NCAA experimented with a height change during the week of the 1973 Final Four. I was at St. Louis University then, and they were the host school for the tournament.

In the week leading up to the final 4, the NCAA had controlled scrimmages on campus where the Billikens had played years ago and was now used for pick up games. It was a barn. That week they raised the baskets from 10’ to 10’6” or to 11’,I can’t recall. The gym was still open to others so I still got to play. What I recall is that the height didn’t appear that different but by the end of the day it felt like I was 0 for the barn.

side note: that final was the Bill Walton show against Memphis State: 21 for 22 from the field, 2 for 2 from the line.

The rim height is perfectly fine for high levels of basketball. Scoring is at a level I like. "Good" shooting percentage is at a level I like.

I referee the main youth league in Cincinnati and they have third graders shooting at ten feet. That should change. I don't think the kids gain anything by playing for an hour only for free throws to be air balled and some final scores coming out to 9-6. Put third graders at nine feet, fourth grade at 9.5, and everyone older at 10.

Allows you to teach better shooting form as well. otherwise the kids have to throw the ball at the hoop. Plus many grow up with adjustable baskets in their driveways and can play on lower rims at home.

And according to Tucker Carlson, declining testosterone levels would mean men would have more difficulty getting the ball up to a higher hoop.

But they also played at a NASCAR track that isn't much bigger than most SEC or Big Ten football stadiums. They played Virginia Tech at Bristol -- it's not like they were at Daytona or Talladega.