From Deep: Ranking the Top 30 NBA Three-Point Snipers

Believe it or not, teams today hoist more than twice as many threes as they did two decades ago. Even so, the game was dotted with long-range specialists long before the modern barrage. From Larry Bird and Reggie Miller to Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, we tracked down and ranked the sharpest marksmen from beyond the arc. Did your favorite shooter make the list?

Jamal Crawford, The Ultimate Instant Offense Specialist

Crawford built a career on instant offense off the bench, popping up for big buckets in Chicago, New York, Golden State and Phoenix. He finished with more than 10,000 career points, and the original piece credits 6,663 of those to shots from behind the arc. His career three-point percentage sat at 34.8 percent, which underlines how often he attacked the perimeter. If you needed a quick bucket, Crawford was the guy you wanted on the floor.

Jason Kapono, Pure Catch and Shoot Machine

Kapono arrived with a reputation as a pure shooter and carved a niche as a reliable catch-and-shoot option in the pros. He was listed as a useful piece for Miami’s 2006 title run and knocked down 457 career triples. What really stands out is his career clip, an eye-popping 43.4 percent from three. Oh, and he twice won the league’s three-point contest, which tells you all you need to know about his range.

Chauncey Billups, Mr Big Shot in Clutch Moments

Billups had that calm, natural stroke that made him deadly in late-game situations and earned him the nickname Mr. Big Shot. The writeup calls him a Colorado native who loved the Nuggets, and notes he drained 1,830 three-pointers across his career at a 38.7 percent clip. He showed up in the biggest moments and even collected an NBA Finals MVP along the way. You trusted Billups to hit the big one when it mattered most.

Paul Pierce, The Truth's Deep Threat for Boston

Paul Pierce, nicknamed The Truth, could score from anywhere, and his three-point game was a key part of that skill set. His legacy is tied to the Celtics, where he helped deliver Boston’s 17th championship. According to the original text, Pierce knocked down 2,143 career threes and finished with a 36.8 percent mark from deep. For a scorer who did it all, those long-range numbers are solid and often decisive.

26. Jason Terry – 38%

Jason Terry a.k.a. “The Jet” scored almost 19,000 points throughout his 19-year-long career in the NBA from 1999 to 2018. That’s pretty much like 1,000 points per season—how wild! But how many of those points made during his incredible career were from the three-point line? Terry’s overall average is exactly 38%, and he made 2,282 successful three-point shots overall! Just to give you a bit of perspective, Terry currently stands in the top 10 of most career three-pointers ever made.

25. Dražen Petrović – 43.7%

It's important to note how amazing it is that the NBA opens its borders to all. Back in 1989, Dražen Petrović was one of the original players to arrive from overseas to join in on all the fun, coming all the way from Croatia. Petrović only participated in the NBA for four seasons, but he definitely made his mark in history. He only made 255 three-pointers, which may not be that much. However, since his career average was 43.7%, he certainly deserves a spot on this list.

24. Kevin Durant – 38.1%

Some say Kevin Durant is the currently the greatest player on the planet, and for so many reasons. While his arsenal of talents could fill a book, however, his three-point shooting is absolutely exceptional. On his career, Durant has made 1,570 three-pointers, which adds up to a total of 4,710 points. Roughly a fifth of his total career points came from three-pointers, and perhaps this is why he felt so comfortable alongside the Splash Brothers on the Golden State Warriors.

23. Joe Johnson – 37.1%

Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Joe Johnson a.k.a. “Iso Joe” bounced all around the states. Throughout his 16-year-long career, he played for the Celtics, Suns, Hawks, Nets, Heat, and Jazz, before finally ending his career with the Houston Rockets. But while he bounced from place to place, his ability from the three-point line was always formidable. The seasoned three-point star ended up with a 37.1% average from three, and hit 1,978 three-pointers overall.

22. Michael Redd – 38%

Michael Redd might’ve ended his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns in 2012, but the born and raised Midwesterner spent the majority of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks since he was first drafted in 2000. The shooting guard superstar made 1,045 successful three-point shots during his career, with his iconic left-handed jumpshot that Milwaukee fans got so used to seeing. Redd holds an impressively high 3-point average of exactly 38%, which throughout his time on the Bucks meant a truly deadly three-point shot.

21. Mike Miller – 40.7%

Even before he made it big in the NBA, Mike Miller was a three-point star! Once he was drafted in 2000, he soared on multiple teams in both the Western and Eastern conferences including the Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Denver Nuggets. Throughout his career, Miller scored almost 11,000 points overall, and successfully shot and made 1,590 three-pointers. With an impressive 40.7% three-point-earning average, combined with the amount of threes he made, Miller gave his teammates the ultimate confidence that if they passed him the ball, they could rely on him to hit the shot.

20. J.R. Smith – 37.3%

J.R. Smith a.k.a. “JR Swish” is specifically known for his incredible three-pointing skills on the court. He was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets, then spent five years as the three-point king for the Denver Nuggets. After a stint with the N.Y. Knicks, he then won two titles—one with the Cleveland Cavaliers and another with the L.A. Lakers. With a three-point average of 37.2% on 1,930 made three-pointers, it's no surprise he's on this list. Swish, swish bish!

19. Allan Houston – 40.2%

There’s no doubt that Allan Houston was more than just a talented player. He was clearly a dedicated and loyal one too, considering that he played for the Detroit Pistons from 1993 to 1996, and then played for nine seasons straight with the N.Y. Knicks, finishing his career with them in 2005. At the end of Houston’s NBA career, the shooting superstar’s three-point average was a whopping 40.2%. He ended up making 1,305 successful three-point shots, which is pretty incredible considering the NBA wasn't shooting as many threes back then.

18. Jeff Hornacek – 40.3%

Jeff Hornacek has been living and breathing professional basketball for decades now, as he’s been coaching different NBA teams for the past decade! Hornacek was first drafted as a guard to the Phoenix Suns from 1986-1992, transferred to the Philadelphia 76ers for a season, and then finished his career with the Utah Jazz for six more seasons. However, he's best known for his time with the Jazz. During this time, he only shot 828 three-pointers—but his average was quite high, ending at 40.3% come his final season in 2005. He also managed to snag the three-point shootout crown, not once, but twice!

17. Mitch Richmond – 38.8%

Mitch Richmond was born on the east coast in Florida, but he was a purely Western conference player when it came to the NBA. Richmond kicked off his incredible career with the Golden State Warriors in 1988-1991, transferred to the Sacramento Kings from 1991-1998 (where his jersey no. 2 was eventually retired), played another couple of seasons with the Washington Wizards, and then transferred down south to the L.A. Lakers for his final season of his career in 2001-2002. The honorable legend had a three-point field goal average of 38.8%, successfully scoring 1,326 three-pointers in the process!

16. Chris Mullin – 38.4%

Aside from the three seasons that he played for the Indiana Pacers in the middle of his career, Chris Mullin spent the majority of his NBA career with the Golden State Warriors. By the time Mullin retired in 2001, his three-point average was 38.4% on 815 made threes. And even though it doesn’t seem like the former pro baller made many three-pointers in comparison to more current players, back then his three point total was considered pretty legendary all on its own!

15. Mark Price – 40.2%

During his career from 1986-1998, Mark Price played for multiple top teams including the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. Since his retirement, he’s coached a myriad of professional teams, as his legend as a player continues to live strong. His average at the end of his career was a whopping 40.2% which isn’t only high for standards nowadays, but remarkable for the time period that he played. With that said, Price successfully shot and made 976 three-pointers. However, perhaps most impressively, Price was the victor of two three point shootouts!

14. Dale Ellis – 40.3%

Dale Ellis played as a small forward and shooting guard for several different NBA teams during his career, including the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Seattle SuperSonics. He earned himself a little over 19,000 points overall throughout his career, but when it came to three-point field goals, he made a whoppoing 1,719 of them! By the end of his 17-year-long career, the 1989 three-point shootout winner's career average rested at an impressive 40.3%!

13. Dirk Nowitzki - 38%

One of the coolest things about the NBA is that even though the association is based in the U.S., the players can be from all around the world. Just like our next player on the list, the legendary Dirk Nowitzki. With one of the most iconic jumpshots from a big man we've ever seen, Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA title in 2011, shocking the world in the process. Throughout his amazing career, Nowitzki made 1,982 three-point shots successfully on a three-point field goal average of 38%—and he remains a fan favorite.

12. Craig Hodges – 40%

Craig Hodges was one of the ultimate three-point kings of his time, and ended his career with a three-point field goal percentage of exactly 40%, which is quite high! In 1982, he was drafted to the San Diego Clippers for a couple of seasons before transferring to the Milwaukee Bucks for another four seasons. He finished his career playing for the Chicago Bulls alongside the magnificent Michael Jordan! When he retired from the NBA in 1992, his total amount of three-pointers made was only 563—but if he played in today's era, that number could've been tripled. He also managed to win the three-point shootout a whopping total of three times!

11. Steve Kerr – 45.4%

We all know Steve Kerr now as the head coach for the dominant Golden State Warriors of this era, which is a feat in and of itself. Empowering his players to shoot the three-ball at will, one could argue that Kerr has influenced three-point shooting more than any other coach ever has. However, Kerr was quite the sniper as a player as well. Although he only made 726 three-point field goals throughout his career—his career average is one of the highest ever at 45.5%. Again, that’s beyond impressive for both today’s standards and for the ‘80s-‘90s.

10. Larry Bird – 37.6%

Legend has it that when Larry Bird walked into the locker room for the 1988 three-point shootout, he asked his competitors, "So, who’s coming in second?" As always, he backed it up, subsequently winning his third straight three-point shootout title. Over the course of Larry Legend's inspiring NBA career, he scored and earned almost 22,000 points overall! He only made 649 three-pointers, but for back then that was considered a lot—and if he played in today's era, he likely would've been empowered to attempt a lot more threes each game.

9. Glen Rice – 40%

Glen Rice is among the most impressive shooting stars on the list—and it's not just because he too won a three point shootout. During Rice’s 15-year-long career from 1989-2004, he was bounced around some of the top teams in the league like the Miami Heat, L.A. Lakers, N.Y. Knicks, and Houston Rockets. However, during his years on the court, Rice made 1,559 successful three-point field goals, with an average of 40%. As a player who played before the three-point boom, that's pretty extraordinary.

8. JJ Redick – 41.6%

JJ Redick was known to be a remarkable three-point shooter long before he made it to the NBA. For the past 14 years and counting, the shooting guard has bounced around and dominated on the court for a range of teams—including the Orlando Magic for seven seasons, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the New Orleans Pelicans. So far he’s racked up 1,884 three-point field goals throughout his career, with a stunning three-point success rate of 41.6%. What can we say? When he shoots, he (likely) scores!

7. Kyle Korver – 42.9%

Kyle Korver is one of the best three-point shooters to ever grace an NBA court. He played on a handful of teams, and each one was grateful to have such a three-point specialist on their squad. He kicked off his career in 2003, and at one point set an NBA record with his 53.6% three-point accuracy average. Shockingly, Korver is still playing, and so far, has averaged out his three-point field goal success rate to 42.9%. On 2,450 made 3-pointers, that is an incredible stat.

6. Peja Stojaković – 40.1%

Peja Stojaković is another glorified international player who played in the NBA for over a decade! His time between 1998 and 2011 was absolutely inspiring, especially when it came to his three-point skills on the court. Peja won the NBA’s seasonal shootout twice, earning himself the title for the Three-Point Contest on those occasions. By the time he had retired from the NBA, Peja had successfully scored 1,760 three-point field goals! Again, considering that this took place before teams were lobbing up 30 threes per game, it's a very impressive total.

5. Klay Thompson – 41.9%

Not everyone knows that Klay Thompson holds the NBA record for most points scored in one quarter—and it was mainly from threes. When the Golden State Warriors played against the Sacramento Kings on January 23, 2015, Thompson broke the record by scoring 37 points during the third quarter alone! And when it comes to his current three-point field goal average to date, he’s at an all-time high with 41.9% on 1,798 made shots! Next to fellow Splash Brother Steph Curry, it's easy to forget how good Thompson is beyond the arc—but he's a legitimate legend.

4. Steve Nash – 42.8%

Although you may not guess it, Steve Nash is also technically an international player. Indeed, he was actually born in South Africa, and then moved to Canada as a toddler. Regardless of his origins, the point guard sensation had a remarkable reputation throughout the two decades he played in the NBA—mainly during his two MVP campaigns on the "7-seconds-or-less" Phoenix Suns. While he was known for his exceptional passing skills, Nash was an incredible three-point shooter. By the end of his career, he had made a total of 1,685 threes on a shocking 42.8%!

3. Reggie Miller – 39.5%

One of the best players to ever rock an Indiana Pacers uniform, Miller proved to be incredible in more ways than one. However, his three-point skills were a huge part of that. Miller played in the NBA well before the three-point "revolution" was in effect, which makes us wonder how many threes he could've made had he been playing today. Nevertheless, his total of 2,650 threes—and clutch ones, we might add—are incredible for the standards of any NBA era.

2. Ray Allen – 40%

It wasn’t until the remarkable Ray Allen transferred to the Seattle SuperSonics in 2003 that he truly took things to the next level on the court. During his four seasons with the team, he broke multiple records when it came to three-pointin’. Although he was a superstar in his own right, Allen proved that he could utilize his sharpshooting abilities effectively alongside other big names (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade), when he won titles with the Celtics and Heat. With 2,973 threes to his name on 40% shooting, Ray Allen is without a doubt one of the best three-point shooters to ever grace a basketball court.

1. Stephen Curry – 43.5%

Steph Curry has got NBA in his blood, being the son of ex-NBA player Dell Curry, but he made quite a name for himself all on his own. Not only is Curry the undisputed greatest three-point shooter of all time—he's also a two-time MVP, and three-time NBA champion, and the leader of one of the greatest offenses the league has ever seen. It's not just about the fact that Curry has hit 2,495 threes on 43.5%—it's how he did it. His lightning-quick release, his ability to entertain us all while doing—he single-handedly made three-point shooting cool!

Steph keeps piling up threes

Steph Curry has kept rewriting the record book, and the gap between him and everyone else just widened. He recently became the first player to clear the 4,000 three-pointer mark, vaulting past the totals we quoted earlier. That milestone changes more than one stat line, it rewrites how future lists will be judged. Watching him keep scoring like that feels like watching history in fast motion.

Leaderboard shuffle, Allen slips down

The all-time rankings have shifted as other sharpshooters climb the ladder. James Harden has moved past Ray Allen on the all-time made threes list, pushing Allen down a spot. Those are big changes for a list we used to think was locked in. That reshuffle serves as a reminder these records are still live and being chased.

Klay and others keep rising

Klay Thompson has added to his total and now sits much higher on the all-time list than when we first wrote this. He has climbed into the top tier with nearly 2,900 made threes, showing longevity and timing still matter. Other active stars are doing the same, so expect familiar names to keep getting bumped up. The era of volume shooting gives veterans a second wind on these leaderboards.

Percentage leaders tell a different tale

Raw made totals grab headlines, but shooting percentage still matters when ranking greatness. Steve Kerr remains the career percentage leader, a reminder that accuracy and selectivity earn a special place on any list. Active players can pile up threes by volume, but the efficiency figures show who was deadly when it mattered. Both kinds of numbers deserve respect when we argue over the best shooters ever.

The three-point era keeps expanding

Three-point shooting is not a footnote anymore, it is the engine of modern offense. In recent seasons teams have been making roughly a dozen threes per game at around a mid-30s percentage, which gives today’s players far more chances to climb career lists. That shift helps explain why totals have jumped and why records are moving faster than they used to. Count on the leaderboard to keep changing as the game keeps evolving.

Long Story Short

Three-point shooting went from an oddity to the engine of offense. That change rewrote leaderboards and how teams build lineups. Steph Curry's scoring and Steve Kerr's accuracy show two ways to be great from deep, volume and precision. Watching these names climb or hold their ground is the fun part.

Why Volume and Accuracy Both Matter

Raw made totals grab headlines because they collect over seasons and careers. Shooting percentage tells a different story, the kind that honors selectivity and pure touch, like Steve Kerr's career rate. Curry blends volume and elite efficiency, which is what makes the debate so lively. Both stats deserve weight when arguing about the best shooters ever.

Active Players Keep Shaking Up The List

Leaderboards are not frozen in time. Klay Thompson keeps adding to his totals and others are climbing too, so names move every season. That ongoing shuffle reminds you that records are living goals, not museum pieces. Betting on volatility is half the fun for fans and statheads alike.

Old-School Snipers Still Shine

Players like Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, Ray Allen and others set a tone before the three-point boom. Their numbers look different from modern totals, but the impact is the same. Clutch makes, rhythm, and the ability to change a game with one shot never go out of style. Those legacies anchor the history of the shot.

What To Watch Next

Keep an eye on the gaps between volume and efficiency. Which active scorers will chase career totals, and who will rise as pure percentage kings? The three-point era still has room for surprises, and every season brings fresh movement. Watching history get rewritten feels like watching fast motion.