Which scenario correctly describes a situation when a player causes the ball to go out of bounds?

In this scenario, a player touching the ball while standing out of bounds clearly exemplifies a situation where the ball is caused to go out of bounds. According to the NFHS basketball rules, the player is considered to have violated the boundary rule if they touch the ball while they themselves are out of bounds. This action is definitive in determining that the player has interfered with the ball's rightful play area, thereby causing it to go out of bounds.

In contrast, the other options do not meet the criteria for a player causing the ball to go out of bounds. For instance, making a pass that hits an opponent first does not automatically mean the ball is out of bounds since it could still remain in play depending on subsequent actions. Similarly, if a player intercepts the ball before it goes out, that player is effectively keeping the ball in the game, and a player falling to the ground without touching the ball does not have any bearing on the ball's status regarding being in or out of bounds. This clarity in the rules emphasizes the importance of player position and interaction with the ball relative to boundary lines.