In our generation, every young basketball player growing up wants to learn how to shoot a basketball at a very high level. Everyone wants to be Stephen Curry. I mean every time you enter a gym, all you see are a bunch of young athletes, throwing up shots from beyond the three-point line.
With the rise of the three-ball, more players around the NBA are beginning to shoot even deeper and increase their range. Players like Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard, are developing the game of basketball and changing the game for the better. Every basketball team in the NBA looks for great shooters and can use this skill. Shooting a basketball at a high level has never been more important than it is now.
People say DEFENSE wins championships, and although that is very much TRUE, offense brings attention to fans. With the league becoming more fast-paced, with a lot of scoring, shooting is more important than it has ever been in league history.
Before three-point shooting was actually a thing, players were more PHYSICAL, and players would find themselves having more success with their athleticism, size, and strength. Some people would try and own the paint, while others would make the most out of the [midrange game – a dying art.
Today, it’s all about shooting. If you can shoot the ball with a high percentage, you will find yourself with a job in the NBA. It’s all about shooting, and this league is now a shooting league. It wasn’t always this way, and so we need to look back at all the players in the NBA to see who stands out, and who has changed the way the game is played. We need to pay tribute to them, and that is why today I will be recognizing some of the best shooters of all time found within the past decade and in the past.
WE ARE LIVING IN A THREE-POINT REVOLUTION.
*Note that this is my opinion on the best three-point shooters of all time from 2020 and this list is most certainly arguable, so I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas if you have any in the comments*
10) Peja Stojakovic
Peja Stojakovic most certainly deserves to be on this list. He was practically automatic from deep with a SMOOTH release. He could make it from just about anywhere.
During practice, Peja Stojakovic would routinely make over 30+ 3-pointers in a row. I remember, there was this story being told about Peja Stojakovic, where whenever he missed a single shot, all he would do is just stare at the rim, studying what he did wrong, and sort of just wondering how he even missed the shot.
Peja Stojakovic was born a shooter and some may call him the Klay Thompson of his time.
Peja Stojakovic shot just over 40 percent from the three-point line throughout his entire career. He was also number 20 for most made threes of all time in the NBA at 1760 makes throughout his entire career. Stojakovic drilled clutch threes after clutch threes, it’s like he was born for this.
In his career, Peja found himself winning back-to-back three-point contests in the 2002 and 2003 NBA seasons.
9) Dražen Petrović
Drazen Petrovic is the long lost forgotten sharpshooter in the NBA.
Before Stephen Curry, There was Drazen Petrovic.
He was known as one of the best elite shooters in the NBA at the time.
During his short career, he averaged around 44% from the three-point line, which put him in the top 5 in this category.
It was truly sad when I heard about the tragedy the European legend went through which ultimately shook the NBA. Just as everything was going well for him in the NBA, during the off-season of 1993 he experienced a tragic death. Petrovic was travelling in Germany and this is where he met a brutal accident by a truck. The weather was terrible and his driver was not able to react fast enough to dodge the truck, and ultimately died crashing into a truck. What makes it even worse is how Petrovic didn’t have his seatbelt on and he was sleeping during all of this. What could have been a wonderful career, turned into a tragedy. His death was shocking for the basketball community. Before he entered the NBA, European players were viewed as being worse, unathletic players, but he changed all of that and gave Europe a newfound respect. During the 90s, Petrovic was like Curry to them. Michael Jordan, who is considered the G.O.A.T of basketball, and Reggie Miller who is considered one of the greatest shooters of all time, believed that Petrovic was THE BEST shooter they ever played against, and some say he was even better. Some even say he has a faster release than Curry which is absolutely crazy, Petrovic truly deserves a spot on this list, and he will and SHOULD always be remembered for what he has done in his short-lived career.
8) Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk is most certainly THE BEST big men shooters in the game of basketball. He isn’t just a GREAT shooter, he is also the creator of one of the most effective, influential shots throughout basketball, his signature DIRK fadeaway, known as the flamingo. This fadeaway is practically UNBLOCKABLE and just automatic. I can also say that out of EVERYONE on this list, he also has the highest ARC in his shot. Although nowadays many big men can shoot, Dirk played a big role in that movement happening, and I feel like he played a huge role in it becoming a norm in the NBA.
At his height, 7’0” feet. He was considered a deadly shooter and ultimately just one of the greats. Dirk Nowitzki averages about 47% from the field and 38% from the three-point line. Dirk also ranks number 11 on the three-point field goals made list with 1,982 three-point shots made in his entire career. Dirk Nowitzki won the 2006 NBA three-point contest. As of today, Dirk has officially retired, and he will always be considered an all-time legend.
7) Steve Nash
Steve Nash is known to be one of the greatest passers of all time, but what some of you may not know is that he is also considered to be one of the greatest shooters in the NBA. He will always be known for his flashy passing, but you just need to know that Steve Nash’s lights-out shooting played a CRUCIAL role in his offensive dominance.
Steve Nash has had 13 whole seasons where he had 100+ three-point attempts and a 40+ three-point percentage. He is the only player in the league who has done this many times.
I honestly just can’t imagine how great Steve Nash would be during this current era in the NBA. I mean he is already considered to be a GREAT NBA player with his two-time back-to-back MVPs and numerous records and rewards, but just imagine how good he would be under the right system. Imagine Steve Nash on a team like the Houston Rockets under Mike D’Antoni’s current system
Steve Nash has made 1,655 three-point field goals [ranked number 23] and has a 43% field goal percentage [ranked number 11].
6) Kyle Korver
Kyle Korver reportedly held the record for most consecutive games with a three with 127 games. Curry reportedly broke this record in 2016. Korver also reportedly owns the OFFICIAL record for the HIGHEST 3-point percentage in a season with 53.6%. Korver also made the All-Star simply based on the fact that he is just a GREAT shooter, and he took this moment to prove why he belonged in that game by knocking down seven 3-pointers in just 15 minutes of playing time.
Throughout his career, Korver has consistently been among the league’s leaders in three-point percentage for over 16 years. Not only that he makes MAJORITY of his attempts. He shoots at a very high clip.
Korver has legitimately made a career out of his three-point shooting. Contending teams in the league still want him just because of his sharpshooting ability, and he currently plays for the team with the best record of the 2019-20 NBA season, the Milwaukee Bucks. Throughout his career, over 60 percent of his shots are threes. Because of the skill Korver presents, his teams have been successful and winning consistently. He is a very “SCARY WEAPON”. I honestly believe that Korver deserves to be higher on this list just because of how deadly he truly is beyond the arc, and it is something to be argued for sure.
Currently, Kyle Korver is number 4 on the most made threes list at 2437 threes made, but he is still in the league so just note that. Korver is also shooting around 43% from three throughout his entire career, placed at number 10 on the all-time list.
5) Larry Bird
You already knew he would be here, his name is LARRY BIRD.
Larry Bird is probably one the greatest and most pure shooters in NBA history, regardless of the era he played in. The only reason why Larry Bird is ranked at number five is because he played during an era where the three-point shot for the most part was irrelevant.
Larry Legend played during an era where the three-point shot was a minimal priority for a lot of teams, but this did not stop him from leading the league in made threes for back-to-back seasons during the 1986 and 1987 seasons.
Larry Bird was the first one to create a movement when the three-point shot was first added in. He made the shot relevant and is part of the reason why the three-point line is the way it currently is. Larry Bird was key to the evolution of the three-point shot and he made people realize just how important the three-point shot was during this era. What made Larry so effective was his three-point shooting ability and at his height, he was an UNSTOPPABLE FORCE!
Larry Bird has won THREE 3-point championships during the first three seasons there was a 3-point contest. He won the 1985, 86, and 87 three-point contests, THREE IN A ROW!
Larry Bird is a LEGEND in the NBA, and he will always be known for his three-point ability among other things of course.
4) Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson is the ULTIMATE 3 & D player in the NBA. He is one of the best three-point shooters in the league who can also play OUTSTANDING defense.
The second half of the splash bros, Klay Thompson has made a name for himself alongside his duo splash bro Stephen Curry with his three-point shooting ability. As far as it gets from a technical standpoint, Klay Thompson’s jump shot is as close to perfect as it gets. Klay Thompson’s jump shot is the SMOOTHEST jumper that I have seen, and it is just satisfying to witness.
Klay’s release is also super quick, and honestly, he doesn’t even need to dribble to be effective on offense, I mean we are talking about a guy who scored 60 points in a game effortlessly, while only taking 11 dribbles during the game…
We are also talking about the guy who holds the record for most points in a quarter with 37.
Klay Thompson has also been VERY efficient with his three-point shooting over 40 percent for all of the seasons he has been in the NBA. I mean he has also made OVER 200 triples EVERY SEASON except for his rookie season.
What’s so crazy about Klay is his jump-shot mechanics. IT IS THE SAME EVERY TIME. I mean no matter what, Klay maintains the same release every time and his jump shot just seems effortless because he barely gets off the floor. Whether he is coming off a screen, or shooting off the dribble, it doesn’t matter, Klay Thompson’s catch-and-shoot release form is as consistent as it gets. Once Klay Thompson gets on fire, IT IS LEGIT OVER FOR YOU. Your team stands a ZERO chance. I’m a Toronto Raptors fan, and when I saw Klay Thompson catch fire in Game 6, I truly believed that this series was going to a Game 7, but unfortunately for the Warriors and Klay Thompson, he tore his ACL during the game. Although, all I wanted more than anything was to see the Raptors win the championship, of course, I would have loved to see Klay for the rest of the game and for a potential Game 7. That man is just SO MUCH FUN to watch.
Throughout his career, Klay has won the 3-point contest in 2016 and it was honestly just BEAUTIFUL to watch.
In his career SO FAR, Klay Thompson has made 2,481 threes throughout [remember he still has MANY more seasons to go] and he has also shot around 41% from the three-point line.
3) Reggie Miller
You should all recognize who this is, the man with the infamous CHOKE meme on the internet.
Now, Reggie Miller has NEVER won the 3-point shooting contest, he has failed twice in the NBA Finals, losing by just a point…
So what makes Reggie Miller so great? Why is he NUMBER 3 on your greatest shooters list?
Well to answer that, you just need to know that Reggie Miller was a great shooter, and he ranks SECOND on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers made list.
There have been just a FEW shooters in NBA history who have approached the game with the SAME level of confidence Reggie Miller has. His form was also pretty awkward and was designed to work for him because of repetition rather than form. People often tend to forget that Miller didn’t actually take many threes compared to the amount people shoot nowadays, but just know that every time he did shoot the ball, he shot EXTREMELY effectively.
In his career, Reggie Miller ranks NUMBER TWO in three-point field goals made with 2,560, and he also averaged 37% from three.
Reggie Miller is known for his long-range shooting ability in the clutch moments. I most certainly won’t forget his clutch performance during the 1995 Eastern Conference Semis in Game 1 against the New York Knicks, where he just demolished them at the end of the game. He knocked down a clutch three after clutch three and just made clutch plays after clutch plays. This is the infamous game where the New York Knicks choked in the end. The game where the cocky Reggie Miller began an endless meme trend with his choke sign. The legendary eight points in nine seconds. The man who is number two on the list himself, has stated that Reggie Miller is the greatest shooter he has ever seen in his life.
Reggie Miller’s stroke is just so pure, and everything he did beyond the arc was just MAGICAL!
2) Ray Allen
At this point, we have finally reached the man who AVERAGES the MOST made threes in his career. Ray Allen ranks NUMBER ONE on the all-time three-point field goals made list at 2,973 while shooting 40 percent from three throughout his entire career.
For every decade Ray Allen was in the NBA, he was viewed as one of the greatest outside shooters, whether that was in the ’90s, the 2000s, or the 2010s. Ray Allen’s career was built on consistency and class. Allen currently holds the record for most three-pointers made in NBA history and has shot better than 40 percent from beyond the arc for the majority of his career. Similar to Klay Thompson, Ray Allen’s shooting form is practically the same every time, and is built on repetition and similarity. In his career, Ray Allen won the 2001 three-point contest.
Ray Allen will always be known for his three-point shooting but what many don’t know is that early on his career, during his prime, he was a GREAT all-around player, and he was actually in a dunk contest. Allen could shoot it from anywhere beyond the arc, but he is most known for his CORNER three-point shots. For him, those were automatic and his bread & butter.
Ray Allen is actually remembered most for drilling the NBA’s All-Time most memorable shots from beyond the arc when he knocked down a corner triple in the clutch for a game-tying shot in the final seconds of Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals. Ray Allen will always be remembered for his three-point shooting and ultimately one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history.
1) Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry deserves to be number one on this list. Curry holds the record for most three-pointers made in an NBA season, most games in a row while scoring at least one three, and many points during his career had broken the record for most triples in a game numerous times. He was so on fire that he broke his own record NUMEROUS times in just a single season. He has been the ULTIMATE three-point leader in the league ever since 2012.
You should not be surprised by this selection at all. No one in NBA history can ever combine with the same amount of efficiency and volume as Stephen Curry. He has such a big lead on everyone with three-point shooting and yet still has so much more time left in the league, with injuries being the only thing truly slowing him down.
What makes Curry so different is the degree of difficulty all his three-point shots truly are. He was probably one of the first to ever truly shoot from DEEP, way beyond the three-point line with ease. Most shots he takes beyond the arc come with a HUGE degree of difficulty. No one can do what Curry can. Over the course of the NBA, Curry has single-handedly changed the way the game is played and has influenced millions of athletes around the world. Everyone wants to be like Curry. It was just a simple skill for role players or the occasional all-stars, but now THREE-POINT shooting is EVERYTHING. Curry has changed the course of history for the NBA, and many want to join the ride with him. Oh, before I forget, you should also know that Curry has one of the quickest releases of all time.
When it comes down to fadeaways, pulling up from the logo or the hash, hand in the face, it just doesn’t matter, Curry will knock it down and he will SHOOT FROM ANYWHERE AND MAKE IT.
Curry is quickly creeping on Ray Allen and honestly, Curry easily has the chance to surpass Ray Allen’s record in just two seasons.
There was once a time when teams didn’t really trust the three-point shot, but with the success of the Golden State Warriors this past decade, with the help of Stephen Curry and his splash bro Klay Thompson, they dominated the decade and showed teams that you can earn success by relying on the three ball, and so every coach, player, and general manager, use three-point shooting as a way to build their team.
Stephen Curry is currently number ONE on the all-time three-point field goals list with 3,747 threes made, but again remember, he still has a lot of time left in the NBA, and he is just getting started. He is also averaging a little over 43% from three which is INSANE considering the volume of threes he attempts, and the degree of difficulty. Curry had also won the 2015 Three-Point contest.
Curry is the best of the best, and it’s going to be a VERY LONG time before we see anyone like him, and a very good chance we NEVER see anyone like him again. Curry has proved it on the international stage as well recently in the Olympics 2024, proving once and for all he is the greatest shooter of all time.
Although you are here to learn more about some of the greatest three point shooters of all-time, before we get into the honorable mentions…
Make sure to check out the vertical jump program, Vert Shock, a vertical jump program designed to help you increase your vertical jump so that you can one day be able to dunk a basketball like your favorite player.
Honorable Mentions
Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce is a PURE shooter, and although he has never looked like one, HE IS.
It was honestly hard for me to even put Paul Pierce here because I am a Toronto Raptors fan, and personally we all just hate Paul Pierce, but the truth is I needed to put that aside for now. Paul Pierce deserves to be here because he is a great three-point shooter.
You may be surprised to see him on this list, because to many, Pierce was seen as more than just a shooter, but “The Truth” is truly a great three-point shooter and has shot his way towards becoming the ninth-best leading three-point shooter in NBA history with 2,143 threes throughout his career. At one point he was fourth, but after being retired for a while, he was bound to get passed on the list. Let’s just say he has also hit some of the most memorable shots in NBA History from downtown.
Let’s not forget about him winning the 2010 three-point contest.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is arguably one of the greatest three-point shooting 7-footers in NBA history, next to Dirk Nowitzki. His length mixed with his excellent form and mechanics, makes him almost impossible to guard. Durant has knocked down clutch three after clutch three. Durant can score from anywhere against anyone. He deserves to be on this list, as he builds himself up towards one of the all-time greats. He is also in the Top 30 for most threes made with 1,570, and I can easily see him build this up as he still has plenty of time left in his career.
Steve Kerr
You already know I had to include Steve Kerr. It definitely is no coincidence that today’s top two three-point shooters in the league are coached by an all-time three-point specialist. Kerr is probably one of the most reliable role players of his generation. When you need him to hit a three-point shot, you bet he will knock it down. He shot better than 50% from beyond the arc FOUR times throughout his entire career. Not to mention, he also won the 1997 three-point contest. Because of his three-point shooting, he has helped the Bulls and Spurs win championships. He will always be remembered for hitting that game winning shot in the final seconds of Game 6 between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz in 1998. I mean the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan, trusted Steve Kerr, to knock down the three-point shot to win the game. It’s also great to know that Kerr currently holds the NUMBER ONE best three-point field goal percentage with a 46% field goal percentage.
Glen Rice
Glen Rice immediately fell in love with the 3-point line as soon as the NBA decided to move in a little closer. Rice was just flaming beyond the arc right after the change and proceeded his way into an amazing three-point run. Throughout his career, Glen Rice has been known to be a marksman and has been for all the teams he played for (he played for a lot). In 1996-97, he led the league from three-point range shooting 47% beyond the arc. Glen Rice was WAY ahead of his time during the 90s era, and it was as though he was playing during the 2010s decade. I just can’t imagine how good he would be nowadays with the three-point shot being such a huge priority. Glen Rice went out and won the 1995 three-point contest when he played for Miami.
JJ Redick
It truly took J.J. Redick some time to find a spot for himself in the NBA, but let me tell you, once he did, every team wanted him. He has now found himself to be one the NBA’s most lethal three-point shooters. I swear it felt like almost every time he took a three, that baby was going in. He will always be known for his time with the Lob City-era LA Clippers, with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford, and DeAndre Jordan, but it took some time before a coach was able to MAXIMIZE his three-point shooting ability. Lucky for him though it wasn’t too late. He found a spot with the 76ers, and for those seasons he truly made a name for himself. As of now, he has extended his career with his current SHARPSHOOTING ability and has now found himself with a young and upcoming New Orleans Pelicans, and he will be viewed as a great role player for the squad. A welcoming addition to a great young squad. Redick is currently number 14 on the all-time three-point shooting list with 1,860 while shooting 42% from three.
Damian Lillard
I would like to say that if it wasn’t for Curry, Lillard would not be the revolutionary 3-point shooter we currently know him as. Similar to Curry, Lillard changed the way he shot and how deep he shot the ball. Lillard slowly began to creep in as one of the best deep 3-point shooters we have ever seen alongside Curry, shooting from ridiculous range. Lillard is very comfortable shooting and pulling up from beyond 30+ feet. Not to mention his big MONSTER game-winners against OKC last year in the playoffs, and against Houston a few years back. Dame Dolla definitely deserves to be on this list.
Lillard is only 29 years old and is 4th in three-point shots converted with 2,607. He hasn’t even broken a sweat yet.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant isn’t known to be a great 3-point shooter, but rather he was known to be a great all-around player. Kobe Bryant was a legend and he is the closest we have ever seen to another Michael Jordan.
Kobe Bryant has also been number one on the three-pointers made list in one game with 12. He remained number one on this list for single-game 3-point record for 12-13 years. Kobe didn’t really have high efficiency, and he normally shot between 30-35% from the three-point line in his career. The reason is that he always took difficult shots. No defender ever made it easy for Kobe, and he was forced to take difficult shots, especially behind the arc. Kobe was one of the greatest 3-point shooters and one of the greatest difficult shot-makers in the NBA. He was also one of the best clutch shot makers in the NBA.
He ended his career with 1,827 three-pointers made, number 17 on the list.
R.I.P Kobe Bryant, in my books, you were the greatest NBA player of all time.
Mitch Richmond
Mitch Richmond had transformed himself into a DANGEROUS 3-point shooter after he joined the Kings in 1991. In his seven seasons with the Kings, he shot 40.4% from beyond the arc. He really showed off his range and proved himself worthy during the 1995 NBA All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP. He is a great 3-point shooter and was known to be a lethal one in his era. If he were to be in our current era, who knows what he could do.
James Harden
Whether you love him or even hate him, there is no denying that James Harden is one of the most innovative scorers that we have ever seen and one of the greatest 3 point shooters in the current era of basketball. He isn’t the best but he’s still very good. I would say that Harden is most definitely more of an in-game shooter than anything. He is best at creating his own shot, and if you know Harden, you know his killer unguardable step-back jumper. It is very effective and he uses it a lot from downtown. Although his shot chart suggests that he is just an average shooter from the 3 point line, he has superstar-like efficiency levels. Harden is already on the all-time list, NBA leader in unassisted 3s, and he is only 30.
Kyle Lowry
I just had to include him on this list. Lowry is arguably one of the greatest Toronto Raptors of all time and is one of the greatest shooters on the Raptors. Lowry deserves to be on the list based on the fact that he is Top 25 of all time in the three-point shooter list with 1,685 three-pointers made. You can most certainly argue that there are others that deserve to be on this list over Lowry, but based on Lowry’s accomplishments, I feel like he deserves to be on this list. He is one of the many reasons why the Toronto Raptors have been so successful and back to being a great team for the past 7-8 years.
Dale Ellis
In his era, Dale Ellis was known to be a great shooter, and during his time, he called himself “the best shooter of all time”. Obviously, he never played in this current era so we would never know but during his era, he was considered to be one of the greatest shooters.
It’s also great to point out that he won the 1989 three-point contest, the first person to break the streak from Larry Bird.