USA Basketball makes youth basketball changes clearly influenced by Stephen Curry

Growing up playing basketball in the driveway everyone has a favorite star they like to imitate and for a lot of kids nowadays it's Stephen Curry.

That includes kids taking shots from deep range that are difficult for them to make but that Stephen Curry has made look so easy over the course of his career.

But USA Basketball is now trying to change that and hoping kids take more appropriate shots for their age range. According to Chris Herring of ESPN, USA Basketball is a new set of rules and standards for its youth programs.

Among changes: They're eliminating 3-pt field goals for players between the ages of 7 & 8 and 9 & 11, to promote the idea shooting from a “developmentally appropriate distance.”

Some of the other big changes are a smaller basketball, and lower baskets for younger kids. According to the Los Angeles Times:

Smaller basketballs for ages 7-8 and ages 9-11.
An eight-foot basket for ages 7-8 and a nine-foot basket for ages 9-11. (Ten feet is the normal height.)
No zone defenses for ages 7-8 and 9-11.
Equal playing time throughout the game for ages 7-8 and throughout the first three periods 9-11.
No three-point field goals for ages 7-8 and 9-11.
A 24-second clock for ninth through 12th grade, and a 30-second shot clock for 12-14.
For players ninth to 12th grade, FIBA rules will be used.

All these rules are supposed to help players develop for their age, and also provide a playing environment that is inclusive of all players.

One of the rule changes that took the most discussion was the implementation of a shot clock range that varies according to the age group of the players.