When does the throw-in officially end according to basketball rules?

The throw-in officially ends when the ball touches another player in-bounds. This is critical in basketball as it marks the point at which play transitions from the dead-ball situation of a throw-in to active play. Once the ball contacts a player who is on the court and in-bounds, it is considered live and that player can now legally pass, dribble, or shoot.

The other scenarios do not signify the official end of the throw-in. For example, if the ball is thrown out of bounds, that would signify a turnover or an uncompleted throw-in, meaning the team would lose possession or have to attempt the throw-in again. Stepping out of bounds by the player throwing in the ball does not end the throw-in until the ball has been legally passed to another player. Additionally, the referee blowing the whistle is typically a signal for the start of the play or to stop the game and doesn't relate to the termination of the throw-in sequence. Understanding when the throw-in officially ends is important for game strategy and maintaining the flow of play.