How long do you have to attempt a shot in basketball?

Answer 1

As soon as the ball leaves the players hands, that is a shot attempt. A shot attempt can be a mid-range shot, a full-court shot, a layup, a dunk, or any other type of shot.

Fancy passes and alley-oops that look like shot attempts or get very close to the rim are not considered shots. If the ball accidentally goes in, however, then the alley-oop is in fact a field goal, and is recorded as a shot attempt. Only free-throws are not counted as shot attempts. They go in the free-throw category.

Answer 2

24 seconds in the NBA; in college, 35 seconds for men, 30 seconds for women.