Three-point shooting shapes today’s NBA. Fans often want a clear answer about who shoots it best.
Accuracy from deep can swing games and force defenses to spread out. It also changes how teams build lineups.
The top NBA shooters by three-point percentage combine high accuracy, steady volume, and consistent results over time. These players include all-time greats, modern stars, and role players who specialize in spacing the floor.
This article breaks down what true three-point excellence looks like and how the best shooters compare across eras. It also highlights trends, team roles, and lesser-known specialists who quietly rank among the league’s most reliable shooters.
Defining Three-Point Shooting Excellence
Elite three-point shooting depends on accuracy, shot volume, and game context. Evaluating shooters also means understanding how the three-point shot has changed across NBA seasons and styles of play.
Key Metrics for Evaluating Sharpshooters
Three-point percentage, often called 3P%, is the starting point for judging shooting accuracy. This stat shows how many shots a player makes from beyond the arc compared to attempts.
Accuracy alone does not tell the full story. Analysts also track three-pointers made and three-pointers per game to measure consistency and impact over a season.
Shot difficulty and defensive pressure matter too. Catch-and-shoot attempts differ from off-the-dribble shots, even if the 3P% looks the same.
| Metric | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| 3P% | Shooting accuracy |
| 3PM | Total made threes |
| 3PG | Scoring volume from range |
Understanding Three-Point Percentage vs. Volume
High three-point percentage looks impressive, but volume often matters more in real games. A player who shoots 45% on two attempts per game affects scoring less than one who shoots 38% on eight attempts.
Volume reflects trust from coaches and teammates. Players with high three-pointers per game stretch defenses and change spacing every possession.
Season context matters too. Maintaining strong 3P% over a full season with heavy usage shows skill and endurance.
Many of the NBA’s all-time leaders combine solid accuracy with high volume, such as those listed among the NBA all-time three-point leaders.
Evolution of the Three-Point Shot in the NBA
The three-point shot once played a minor role in NBA offenses. Early teams treated it as a situational tool rather than a core strategy.
Modern offenses rely on spacing and pace, which increased three-pointers per game across the league. This shift raised the value of consistent shooters with quick releases.
Players like Stephen Curry changed expectations for range and shot selection. His impact pushed teams to prioritize three-point efficiency over mid-range shots.
Comparing three-point percentage across different seasons requires context. League averages, rules, and play style all affect shooting numbers.
All-Time Leaders in Three-Point Percentage
The NBA tracks three-point percentage to measure pure shooting skill, not volume. A small group of players stands out by hitting threes at an elite rate over full careers or single seasons.
Active players still appear near the top, which shows how shooting skill continues to shape the modern game.
Career Three-Point Percentage Leaders
Career three-point percentage rewards accuracy over many seasons, not just hot streaks. Steve Kerr leads this list, finishing his career at about 45 percent from three.
He took fewer shots than modern stars, but he converted them at a historic rate. Other names near the top include Joe Harris and Seth Curry, both above 43 percent for their careers.
They combine strong shot selection with repeatable mechanics.
Basketball Reference tracks the official rankings for NBA career three-point percentage leaders.
Single-Season Percentage Records
Single-season records highlight peak shooting performance under game pressure. Kyle Korver owns the best qualified season, shooting 53.6 percent from three during the 2009–10 season.
He reached that mark while taking over 100 attempts, which matters for league record standards. Few players even approach 50 percent in a season with real minutes.
The progressive history of these records appears on the NBA single-season three-point percentage leaders list.
Highest Percentage Among Active Players
Among active players, Joe Harris and Seth Curry remain the most accurate long-term shooters. Harris built his reputation in Brooklyn by spacing the floor and punishing defensive mistakes.
Curry pairs quick release with smart movement, which helps him maintain elite efficiency. Both players rank near the top of league history despite playing in an era with harder shots and higher volume.
Their percentages show that modern offenses can still produce extreme efficiency.
The Greatest Three-Point Shooters in NBA History
A small group of players changed how teams value the three-point shot. They combined accuracy, volume, and timing to make long-range shooting a core part of NBA offense.
Stephen Curry: Revolutionizing the Deep Shot
Stephen Curry leads NBA history in three-pointers made and changed how defenses play. He shoots with quick form, deep range, and high accuracy.
His career three-point percentage sits above 42%, even with heavy shot volume. Curry’s success with the Golden State Warriors pushed teams to space the floor and shoot earlier in the shot clock.
Defenders now guard players well beyond the arc because of him. He surpassed 4,000 made threes during the 2024–25 season, a mark no other player has reached.
League records confirm his place among the NBA all-time three-point leaders.
Ray Allen: The Original Record-Breaker
Ray Allen set the standard for elite shooting before the modern pace of play. He held the career record for three-pointers made with 2,973 until Curry passed him.
Allen finished his career with a 40.0% three-point percentage. He relied on precise footwork, clean mechanics, and constant off-ball movement.
Coaches trusted him in late-game moments because of his steady form. Allen’s most famous shot came in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals.
His career achievements still place him among the best three-point shooters in NBA history.
Klay Thompson: The Catch-and-Shoot Specialist
Klay Thompson built his reputation as one of the most efficient shooters ever. He owns a career three-point percentage above 41% while taking many shots without dribbling.
Thompson thrives in catch-and-shoot situations and needs little space to release. He once made 14 three-pointers in a single game, an NBA record.
As part of the Golden State Warriors, he helped stretch defenses and free teammates. His role among the league’s elite shooters appears often in rankings of the top NBA three-point shooters of all time.
Reggie Miller: Icon of Consistency
Reggie Miller turned three-point shooting into a primary weapon before it became common. He finished his career with 2,560 made threes and a 39.5% shooting rate from deep.
Miller played his entire career with the Indiana Pacers and stayed effective across many seasons. He relied on stamina, smart cuts, and quick releases.
Defenders struggled to track him without fouling, especially late in games. His long-term impact earns him a place among the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history.
Elite Modern Sharpshooters
Elite shooters pair accuracy with difficulty. They take long attempts, shoot under pressure, and still convert at strong rates.
These players also rank high in three-pointers per game, which shows trust and volume.
Damian Lillard: Deep Range Excellence
Damian Lillard built his reputation on range few defenders can handle. He regularly shoots from several feet beyond the arc and still keeps his percentage near league norms for elite guards.
That range forces defenders to pick him up early, which opens space for teammates. Recent league tracking places Lillard among high-volume shooters who make over three threes per game, even when defenses load up on him.
The 2024–25 NBA three-point shooter tiers show how volume and efficiency together shape his value.
Why it matters
- Pull-up shooting from deep stretches defenses
- High difficulty attempts raise defensive attention
- Consistent three-pointers per game drive spacing
James Harden: Volume and Versatility
James Harden combines step-back mechanics with high usage. He creates most of his three-point attempts off the dribble, often late in the shot clock.
That role lowers raw efficiency but raises overall impact. Harden ranks near the top among guards in three-pointers per game during his prime seasons.
Defenses know the shot is coming, yet struggle to stop it. His ability to draw fouls also forces defenders to close out carefully, which gives him clean looks.
Key traits
- Elite shot creation off the dribble
- High three-point volume year after year
- Strong accuracy on difficult attempts
Kyle Korver: The Efficiency Benchmark
Kyle Korver set the standard for three-point efficiency in the modern era. He thrived as an off-ball shooter who punished any defensive mistake.
His career three-point percentage sits among the best in NBA history. Korver did not take many off-the-dribble threes.
He focused on quick release, footwork, and shot prep. Teams ran entire actions just to free him for one look.
| Skill Area | Korver Strength |
|---|---|
| Catch-and-shoot | Elite |
| Off-ball movement | Precise |
| Shot speed | Extremely fast |
Underrated and Specialist Three-Point Shooters
Some elite shooters did not rely on volume or highlight plays. They built value through movement, shot selection, and efficiency.
Their skills shaped spacing and forced defenses to adjust in specific ways.
JJ Redick: Off-Screen Mastery
JJ Redick built his career on constant motion and quick releases. He rarely dribbled into shots.
Instead, he used tight curls, handoffs, and flare screens to create space. Redick finished his career as one of the most accurate high-volume shooters of his era.
He shot over 41% from three while attempting many difficult looks. Defenders had to chase him at all times.
His impact showed up in team spacing. Big men could roll harder, and ball handlers found cleaner lanes.
Coaches valued Redick because his shooting worked without slowing the offense. Few players punished defensive lapses faster than Redick.
Steve Nash: The Efficiency Maestro
Steve Nash combined elite shooting with smart decision-making. He did not hunt three-point shots.
He took them when the defense made a mistake. Nash finished his career with a 42.8% three-point percentage, one of the best among guards.
He also joined the rare 50–40–90 club multiple times, showing balance across all shots. Defenses respected his pull-up three, which opened passing lanes.
That threat powered fast-paced offenses in Phoenix. Nash often turned simple pick-and-rolls into high-value shots.
His low attempt totals hide his shooting skill. Nash valued the best shot, not the most shots.
Peja Stojakovic: Forward with Range
Peja Stojakovic brought elite shooting to the wing at a time when forwards rarely stretched the floor. His quick release and high arc made contests difficult.
He shot over 40% from three for his career and peaked during his years in Sacramento. Defenses had to stay attached, even far from the ball.
Stojakovic thrived in motion offenses. He scored off kick-outs, transition trailers, and off-ball screens.
His shooting unlocked space for post players and cutters. As a forward, his range forced mismatches.
Bigger defenders struggled to close out in time.
Dirk Nowitzki: Stretching the Power Forward Role
Dirk Nowitzki changed expectations for the power forward position. He combined size, touch, and range in ways the league had not seen before.
Dirk shot nearly 38% from three while carrying a heavy scoring load. Defenders could not leave him, even beyond the arc.
That spacing reshaped half-court offense. His pick-and-pop game punished switches and traps.
Big defenders had to guard in space. This opened lanes for teammates.
Nowitzki’s shooting made small lineups possible. He proved that a power forward could anchor an offense from anywhere on the floor.
Sharpshooting by Team and Position
Team systems and player roles shape three-point results. Certain teams create clean looks through spacing.
Specific positions carry higher shooting efficiency from deep.
Team Trends: Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers
The Golden State Warriors rely on off-ball movement and quick passes to generate open threes. This approach keeps their shooters near the top of league averages in accuracy and volume, as tracked in NBA team three-point percentage stats.
Their offense spreads shots across multiple players. This limits defensive focus on one shooter.
The Boston Celtics lean on drive-and-kick actions. Ball handlers collapse defenses, then kick out to strong shooters on the wings.
This balance helps Boston maintain a high team three-point percentage. They avoid forcing tough attempts.
The Indiana Pacers push pace and shoot early in the clock. Their fast tempo creates more catch-and-shoot chances, which boosts efficiency.
League data shows this style often raises team shooting percentages. Shot quality stays high with early attempts.
Shooting Excellence by Position: Point Guards, Power Forwards
The point guard position drives many of the league’s best three-point numbers. Elite guards combine pull-up shooting with spot-up accuracy.
League leaders by season show guards ranking high in efficiency when they meet volume thresholds, according to three-point percentage leaders data.
The power forward role has changed. Many power forwards now stretch the floor instead of staying near the rim.
Strong shooters at this position force defenders to leave the paint. This opens lanes for teammates.
This shift raises team spacing and improves overall shot quality from deep. Catch-and-shoot attempts become more effective.
Notable Statistical Milestones and Trends
NBA teams now take and make more three-point shots than ever. Players with strong 3p% gain more value each season.
Offenses shape plays around spacing and quick shots.
Rise in Three-Pointers Attempted and Made
The league shows a steady climb in three-pointers attempted and three-pointers made each season. Teams increased three-point volume for decades.
The sharpest rise came in recent years, according to a 40-season NBA shooting trends study.
This shift raised the importance of efficiency, not just volume. Shooters who keep a high 3p% while taking more shots stand out.
League tracking of current leaders shows that top shooters often combine accuracy with high three-pointers per game, as seen in NBA three-point percentage stats and leaders.
| Metric | Past Era | Recent Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 3-point attempts per game | Low | High |
| 3-point makes per game | Low | High |
| Emphasis on 3p% | Moderate | Strong |
How Three-Point Shooting Shapes Modern Offense
Modern offenses build around spacing and fast decisions. Coaches design sets to create open threes early in the shot clock.
This approach rewards players who shoot well off the catch or dribble. Elite shooters force defenders to guard farther from the basket.
That pressure opens driving lanes and raises scoring efficiency. Analysts note that the three-point shot moved from a minor option to a core strategy, as explained in coverage of the three-point revolution in NBA history.
Teams now track three-pointers per game closely each season. A strong offense balances shot volume with 3p%, aiming for steady production.
