[M T]

Here is a question for our basketball rules experts.  Let's say Iriafen with 3 seconds on the shot clock just reaches up and taps the ball on the rim.  Does that reset the shot clock to 20 seconds?  Does she at least have to pretend it is a genuine shot?  Does the ball have to leave her hand?

My opinion is that the ball simply has to touch the rim for a reset, no measure of intent is necessary. That could set up a possibility for someone of Iriafen's stature to do just you suggested. (If you don’t get a good bounce, it could backfire). I’m sure we have some rules guys who will wade in and clarify this.

One of the conditions for resetting the shot clock to 20 seconds for the offense is
   "The shooting team is first to gain control of the ball in their frontcourt after an unsuccessful field-goal or free-throw attempt that contacts the ring or flange and remains live;"
   "A try for field goal is an attempt by a player to score two or three points by throwing or tapping the ball into their team's basket
   "A dunk is a try for goal that occurs when any player gains control of a ball that is neither in the cylinder nor on the ring and then attempts to drive, force or stuff the ball through the basket"  (I wish they had used 'throw' in the definition of a dunk, to match the definition of a try for field goal.)

The rule is not that the ball simply has to touch the rim.

[M T]

Here is a question for our basketball rules experts.  Let's say Iriafen with 3 seconds on the shot clock just reaches up and taps the ball on the rim.  Does that reset the shot clock to 20 seconds?  Does she at least have to pretend it is a genuine shot?  Does the ball have to leave her hand?

My opinion is that the ball simply has to touch the rim for a reset, no measure of intent is necessary. That could set up a possibility for someone of Iriafen's stature to do just you suggested. (If you don’t get a good bounce, it could backfire). I’m sure we have some rules guys who will wade in and clarify this.

One of the conditions for resetting the shot clock to 20 seconds for the offense is
   "The shooting team is first to gain control of the ball in their frontcourt after an unsuccessful field-goal or free-throw attempt that contacts the ring or flange and remains live;"
   "A try for field goal is an attempt by a player to score two or three points by throwing or tapping the ball into their team's basket
   "A dunk is a try for goal that occurs when any player gains control of a ball that is neither in the cylinder nor on the ring and then attempts to drive, force or stuff the ball through the basket"  (I wish they had used 'throw' in the definition of a dunk, to match the definition of a try for field goal.)

The rule is not that the ball simply has to touch the rim.