Free-throw shooting is regarded as an important part of the game since it gives players the opportunity to gain quick points for their teams. A precise free-throw shot is essential in winning scenarios where there is nothing in the way of a player gaining free points with only the rim ahead of him. All-time great players typically have high free-throw shooting percentages because the chance to get easy points in the NBA is nowhere near a common occurrence, even in today’s NBA, where players are looking for ways to force officials to blow the whistle instead of trying to score.
But which players are the greatest free-throw shooters of all time? We collected the 20 best free-throw shooters ever based on their percentages from the stripe over their careers. While some names are expected, including some of the known greatest shooters alive, some other names could surprise you, considering their under-the-radar style of play. At the same time, we might also see some current players on this list, which is always great to see.
Without further ado, here are the 20 best free-throw shooters of all time based on career percentage.
20. Kyle Korver – 87.69%
Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
1.1 – 1.2 (FTM – FTA)
Total Free-Throws:
1,297 – 1,479
Running off screens to free himself up for jumpers is what Kyle Korver did best, and he did it better than almost every player in the generation he played in. Playing until his very late 30s, Korver had an incredibly long career after getting drafted with the No. 51 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Kyle did not impress scouts at the time because of his below-the-rim athleticism and lack of defensive talent, but he was an elite shooter from the moment he stepped on an NBA court.
Korver never needed the ball to be effective because he is one of the greatest shooters to ever grace the court when moving off the ball. The shooting guard ranks 5th all-time in threes made and 10th in 3-point percentage, extraordinary numbers for a guy who was a role player with a career average of 25.3 MPG. Amazingly, he was also an elite free-throw shooter, even if he only got there less than once per game over his career. Korver only averaged 1.2 FTA over his career but did go 1.1 on average, which meant he finished his career with an 87.69% free-throw efficiency.
19. Jeff Hornacek – 87.70%
Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
2.8 – 3.1 (FTM – FTA)
Total Free-Throws:
2,973 – 3,390
Jeff Hornacek was the iconic third wheel behind the Karl Malone and John Stockton days for the Utah Jazz. Hornacek was the player required to make outside shots at any moment possible, going 40.3% from three over his career and also going 87.7% from the stripe as well. Jeff was automatic when left open from mid-range or from three, and he was the exact same from the free-throw line.
Hornacek did get to the line more than people think, getting them over once per game over his career as a third-scoring option. The shooting guard shot over 3,300 free throws over his career, making close to 3,000 and never letting his team down when at the line. When discussing the greatest shooters ever, Jeff Hornacek’s name should come up far more often than it does because he was a natural marksman.
18. Dirk Nowitzki – 87.88%
Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
4.8 – 5.4
Total Free-Throws:
7,240 – 8,239
Easily a top-35 player of all-time and former NBA champion and MVP, Dirk Nowitzki was one of the first dominant shooting big men in the league. The big German stood 7’0”, and with an incredibly high-arcing jump shot, Nowitzki’s shots were never blocked. It is no wonder why the German shot 38.0% from three and 47.1% from the field over his career. Despite being a 7-footer, he was also automatic from the stripe.
It is rare for any 7-footer to be an efficient free-throw shooter as they tend to struggle to handle the ball and make perimeter shots from a set position. But Nowitkzi never had that problem, as he is a career 87.88% free-throw shooter and is the only 7-footer to appear in the top 20. Dirk is one of the NBA’s greatest legends, and his shooting on the court was the main reason why.
17. Khris Middleton – 88.12%
Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
3.4 – 3.9 (FTM – FTA)
Total Free-Throws:
3,445 – 3,864
It might be surprising to see Khris Middleton make the cut already, but he has been a terrific marksman since his second NBA season. Khris has been Giannis Antetokounmpo’s sidekick in Milwaukee for some time now and has proven to be a clutch performer as well, as we saw during the 2021 championship season. Middleton is shooting 45.7% from the field, 39.0% from three, and 88.1% from the free-throw line over his career.
Middleton is more than just an outside shooter, as he is a capable scorer who can draw fouls and get to the line as well. The lanky shooting guard has made over 3,000 free throws over his career out of 3,864 attempts, good for 88.12%. A three-time All-Star, Middleton has been one of the best shooters in the NBA for at least a few years and deserves more respect as an all-time great marksman.
16. Bill Sharman – 88.31%
Credit: Bill Sharman/Wikipedia
Free-Throws Per Game:
4.4 – 5.0 (FTM – FTA)
Total Free-Throws:
3,143 – 3,559
The legendary Bill Sharman played 11 seasons in the NBA, making eight All-Star teams and seven All-NBA selections before eventually making the Hall of Fame. Sharman was mainly part of a dominant Boston Celtics team, winning four NBA championships and averaging 17.8 PPG for his career. In terms of the shooters that competed in the 1950s decade, Sharman might have been the best of the bunch.
His scoring ability makes him a worthy inclusion as one of the greatest shooting guards ever, and he was certainly an efficient marksman in an era where shooting numbers were hardly looked at, if at all. Sharman shot a career 88.31% from the free-throw line, leading the league in FT percentage in seven different seasons. The 6’1” shooting guard was the elite marksman of his time, so it is no surprise to see him appear on this list.
15. Kyrie Irving – 88.41%
Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
3.9 – 4.4 (FTM – FTA)
Total Free-Throws:
2,570 – 2,907
Kyrie Irving will be in the Hall of Fame one day, and there is no doubt about that. Arguably the greatest ball-handler and rim-finisher ever, Irving continues to shock fans with what he can do on a nightly basis. An elite scorer, Irving’s career averages of 23.4 PPG on 47.2% FG, 39.2% 3-PT FG, and 88.4% FT are simply incredible for a high-volume scorer. Outside of Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard, there might not be a more complete offensive point guard in the league right now.
As expected, a superstar offensive player will get to the line often. Irving averages 4.4 free-throw attempts over his career, and he is nailing 3.9 of them on a nightly basis. Kyrie gets to the line when he attacks the rim, but also when he uses his handles and footwork to get defenders into the air. When looking at most of the players in the NBA right now, Kyrie is one of the most feared players in the game when he steps to the line.
14. Larry Bird – 88.57%
Credit: RVR Photos/USA Today Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
4.4 – 5.0 (FTM – FTA)
Total Free-Throws:
3,960 – 4,471
Many who followed the NBA in the 1980s will not be surprised to see the iconic Larry Bird on the list of the top-15 greatest free-throw shooters ever. In terms of being a pure marksman, the Celtics legend averaged 88.57% from the line over his career, even when he was an all-time great 3-point shooter. Bird shot above 40% from three in six different seasons and was just as deadly from mid-range when he had an open look. No matter the shot that presented itself, Larry Legend could make it.
Easily one of the top-10 players ever, Larry Bird would have possibly been even greater if he played in today’s game when he could have the opportunity to take more outside shots and also benefit from modern medicine. Larry Legend struggled with injuries over his career, and we were robbed of more of Bird’s greatness. Regardless, he was as deadly from the free-throw line as almost any of the all-time greats, and he went 3,960 out of 4,471 from the stripe over his Hall of Fame career.
13. Kevin Durant – 88.60%
Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
6.7 – 7.6 (FTM – FTA)
Total Free-Throws:
6,606 – 7,456
An all-time great scorer with an unstoppable skill set, Kevin Durant is also one of the best free-throw shooters ever. The 4-time scoring champion has an incredible free-throw shot in his arsenal, shooting 88.6% from the line and also making over 6,600 free-throws in over 900 career games. Whenever KD is not scoring from three or from mid-range, he is getting to the line and swishing almost every free throw he takes.
That makes Durant one of the top-five scorers of all time and an unstoppable offensive force. Considering his skill alone, it is hard to place him outside of the 15 greatest talents ever. His ability to get to the line, make foul shots, and feel completely unbothered in crunch time makes him a scary force to deal with. Durant has a few more years to add to his free-throw shooting legacy and can crack the top-10 if he continues his elite pace of shooting over 90% from the line as seen from this season.
12. Reggie Miller – 88.77%
Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
4.5 – 5.1 (FTM – FTA)
Total Free-Throws:
6,237 – 7,026
Could there be any shooting list without Reggie Miller mentioned? Reggie Miller is a legend and one of the greatest players of the 90s era. Even if he never captured an MVP Award or an NBA championship, Miller was a force on the court and was part of a great Indiana Pacers squad that made the NBA Finals in 2000. With his clutch shooting and long-range prowess, Reggie was a one-of-a-kind offensive player.
Miller retired as the all-time leading three-point marksman in terms of threes made but has since been passed by Ray Allen, Stephen Curry, and James Harden. No surprise Reggie was also supremely gifted as a free-throw shooter. The All-Star shooting guard went 6,237 out of 7,026 over his career, good for almost 89%. Miller was a talented scorer, so he went to the line over two times per game over his career and hardly missed when he got there.
11. Scott Skiles – 88.91%
Credit: Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Free-Throws Per Game:
2.6 – 2.9 (FTM – FTA)
Total Free-Throws:
1,548 – 1,741
Scott Skiles is mainly known for shattering the NBA record for most assists in a game, dishing out 30 assists vs. the Denver Nuggets. He was the spark plug and main catalyst for a side that dropped 155 points in that game, giving Skiles an unbreakable assist record for the ages. Beyond being an elite playmaker who posted a career 6.5 APG, he was a near-perfect free-throw shooter when he got to the line.
Skiles only had four seasons averaging over 10 PPG, so he was not the most elite scorer, but he was certainly elite when he got to the line. Armed with quick handles and a burst of speed, Skiles made it to the line over once per game and hardly missed when he got there. His 88.91% FT average ranks 11th all-time among the players on this list, and the point guard might be the player who was least inclined to score out of all of them.
10. Calvin Murphy – 89.16%
Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
3.4 – 3.9 (FTM – FTA)
Total Free-Throws:
3,445 – 3,864
Despite being of a miniature 5’9” size, Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy averaged 17.9 PPG and 4.4 APG over his career and was an elite offensive player. The 5’9” point guard had the skill and agility to make his impact felt whenever he suited up for the Houston franchise, and nobody would have thought the player would become the player he would become as he was only a second-round pick.
A capable floor general, Calvin Murphy nailed over 89% of his free throws, using his agility and cleverness to make over 3,400 free throw shots over his Hall of Fame career. Despite being undersized, Calvin knew how to make contact and use it to his advantage by getting hot from the stripe. He shot over 90% from the stripe in six separate seasons, leading the league in 2 seasons (95.8%, 92.0%), and currently is ranked 10th all-time in FT percentage.
9. J.J. Redick – 89.18%
Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
2.2 – 2.5 (FTM – FTA)
Total Free-Throws:
2,060 – 2,310
J.J. Redick was a great college player, taking his shooting and translating it to the NBA, where knocking down shots was the easiest thing for the shooting guard. Redick is one of the greatest off-ball players of his generation, using picks and running off screens to catch and shoot. Even if Redick was known as mainly a three-point marksman and a mid-range scorer who excelled coming off screens, he was an incredible free-throw shooter when he did make it to the line.
Redick made a little over 2,000 free throws over his career out of 2,310 attempts, meaning he shot a career 89.18% from the line. The shooting guard wasn’t the most explosive, but he could draw fouls when he found himself cleverly forcing defenders to tightly contest his shots. Redick had seven seasons shooting at least 90% from the line and shot under 86% from the line only once in his career.
8. Ray Allen – 89.39%
Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
3.4 – 3.8 (FTM – FTA)
Free-Throws Total:
4,398 – 4,920
A Hall of Fame scorer and the NBA’s greatest three-point shooter until Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson came along, Ray Allen was an all-time great marksman. The argument for the greatest shooter ever often involved Ray Allen and Reggie Miller’s names thrown in the mix because of their deep-range accuracy. To be fair to Allen, he was a terrific defender and all-around scorer, but his perimeter shooting was by far his best skill. At this moment in time, Allen ranks second all-time in threes made behind Stephen Curry and is currently ahead of James Harden.
As great as Jesus Shuttleworth was as a three-point shooter, he was almost as great as a free-throw shooter. Ray Allen was also a proficient free-throw shooter, averaging over 89% for his career. The former SuperSonics and Celtics superstar was explosive early in his career and later chose his spots to attack the rim as he aged. Either way, Ray averaged nearly four free-throw attempts per game and was guaranteed three makes at the least. Ray Allen averaged at least 90% shooting from the stripe 10 times, making him an all-time great free-throw shooter.
7. Chauncey Billups – 89.40%
Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
4.3 – 4.8 (FTM – FTA)
Free-Throws Total:
4,496 – 5,029
Mr. Big Shot, Chauncey Billups, is mainly known for his clutch shooting and also his leadership on the floor. Standing 6’3” and weighing 202 lbs, Billups was a powerful point guard who knew how to be effective on both ends of the floor. A 5-time All-Star, Billups also made three All-NBA Teams and two All-Defensive Teams. By far, his biggest impact came in the 2004 Finals, where he was the undisputed leader and best player for the Pistons that won the championship. Many seem to forget that Billups was also an excellent shooter over his career.
Chauncey had solid career shooting percentages upon his retirement, nailing 38.7% of his shots from three and also 89.4% of his free throws. When it came to generating free throws, Billups often used his powerful frame to attack the rim and draw fouls. Billups amazingly made 4,496 free throws over his career, an unbelievable number considering he shot such a high percentage while averaging nearly 5 free throws per game. Many might not know this, but Chauncey averaged at least 90% shooting from the line in six different seasons.
6. Peja Stojakovic – 89.48%
Credit: Getty Images
Free-Throws Per Game:
2.8 – 3.1 (FTM – FTA)
Free-Throws Total:
2,237 – 2,500
For the NBA fans that followed the NBA in the 2000s decade, the name Peja Stojakovic will certainly raise a bell as he was a special shooter. He averaged 40.1% from three over his career, including 45.0% from the field and 89.48% from the free-throw line. Peja made a living with his shooting, leading the NBA in free-throw percentage on two separate occasions (92.7%, 92.9%). Amazingly, Peja never shot under 85% from the line in any season and averaged over 90% shooting in five different seasons.
Even if Stojakovic preferred to venture out to the three-point line rather than draw fouls at the rim, he got there quite a bit. The three-time All-Star averaged 3.1 free throws over his career, making 2.8 of them on average. Peja finished his career with an almost 90% free-throw average, an alarming number for anyone. Currently, Stojakovic ranks 6th all-time in free-throw percentage, and he misses the top-5 by such a tiny margin.
5. Damian Lillard – 89.52%
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
5.7 – 6.4 (FTM – FTA)
Free-Throws Total:
4,415 – 4,932
No surprise Damian Lillard makes a list when it comes to all-time shooting percentages. The point guard has been an All-Star for a long time now and has made the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Lillard is known for his deep range and clutch shooting from deep, but he is a terrific free-throw shooter with an 89.52% average from the stripe. That is amazing, considering he gets there a lot.
Damian Lillard has made a living from the free-throw line, averaging six free-throw attempts per game for his career, an extraordinary number that can be explained by the relaxed rules over the last decade. But Lillard is nearly draining 90% of his shots, indicating that his marksmanship is the main reason he is one of the greatest 75 players to ever play the game. As Dame is only 32 years old, he has even more time to get his average up and can realistically finish among the top-3 free-throw shooters of all time.
4. Rick Barry – 89.98%
Free-Throws Per Game:
4.8 – 5.3 (FTM – FTA)
Free-Throws Total:
5,713 – 6,397
Rick Barry was a superstar in the ABA and the NBA and did everything on the floor at an elite level for both organizations. But as a member of the NBA, Rick Barry was the 4th greatest free-throw shooter ever. Barry was truly an all-around superstar, averaging 24.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 4.9 APG over his career. An 8-time All-Star in the NBA, Barry also won an NBA title with the Golden State Warriors and also captured the Finals MVP.
Many might not know that Barry was an excellent free-throw shooter. The 6’7” small forward was unstoppable when he attacked the rim because he had the aggressiveness and size to handle any contact he created. More often than not, Rick Barry was fouled and hence made an incredible 3,800 free throws over his NBA career, shooting a shade under 90%. Rick led the NBA in free-throw shooting six times and averaged at least 90% for seven out of eight seasons between 1973 and 1980.
3. Mark Price – 90.39%
Credit: Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images
Free-Throws Per Game:
3.0 – 3.3 (FTM – FTA)
Free-Throws Total:
2,135 – 2,362
One of the all-time great Cleveland Cavaliers stars and an underrated star in the 1990s, All-Star point guard Mark Price made his name by making four All-Star appearances and also leading the franchise into multiple playoff runs. As a scorer and playmaker, Price was truly a star player for Cleveland’s franchise for many years, as he normally got his points through his marksmanship. In terms of three-point shooting, Price averaged 40.2% for his career. His free-throw shooting was just as good.
Mark Price finished his career with an incredible 90.39% free-throw average, one of three players to ever nail at least 90% for a career. Price averaged around three free throws a game for his career and would often make them all when he got to the stripe. Price led the NBA in free-throw percentage in three different seasons (94.7%, 94.8%, 90.6%) and never shot under 83% for any season. When discussing the NBA’s greatest shooters, Mark Price’s name often goes unmentioned, but it really shouldn’t, considering how elite his numbers were.
2. Steve Nash – 90.43%
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
2.5 – 2.8 (FTM – FTA)
Free-Throws Total:
3,060 – 3,384
A two-time MVP known for his playmaking and sharpshooting, Steve Nash is a first-ballot Hall of Fame talent and one of the game’s greatest 75 players. It was amazing to watch Nash in the 2000s because of the way he could control the pace of a game with his handles and passing ability, but when he was open, it was also game over. By all accounts, Steve Nash was a sensational shooter. From three, Nash shot 42.8% and also made 49.0% of his shots from the field overall.
As expected, Nash was most deadly from the stripe. Making over 3,000 free throws and shooting over 90% for a career is simply ridiculous, and the point guard had a routine to follow as well. As soon as Nash licked his fingers and released the ball from the stripe, everyone knew what to expect. Nash was automatic from the stripe, making over 2.5 free throws per game on average, and made it look effortless. Nash has to be considered one of the ten greatest all-around shooters ever, but only one man is ahead of him when it comes to career free-throw percentage.
1. Stephen Curry – 90.87%
Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Free-Throws Per Game:
3.9 – 4.3 (FTM – FTA)
Free-Throws Total:
3,422 – 3,766
Unsurprisingly, Stephen Curry tops the chart in this shooting category because he is simply the greatest shooter who ever lived. Beyond creating his own shots from deep and changing the NBA with his three-point shot, Curry has been a spectacular free-throw shooter since coming into the league. So far in his illustrious career, Steph is averaging 90.87% makes from the free-throw line, which is simply ridiculous.
His quick release and perfect form allow for a consistent stroke every time he releases the ball from the stripe, and he seems to be getting better at drawing fouls. He is near perfection from the line over his career, inching close to 91%. With over 3,400 free throws made and counting, we will likely never see a player as accurate as Curry from the stripe. Anytime a player can make threes as effortlessly as Steph can, there should be no surprise when the point guard is the greatest free-throw shooter ever. No player has had a stroke like Steph, and he will likely forever remain the NBA’s greatest free-throw shooter.
Source: fadeawayworld
