Top 15 best shooting guards of all time: Find out who’s on the list

Top 15 best shooting guards of all time: Find out who’s on the list

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:19 PM

Consistently throughout the NBA's existence, the most exciting players to watch have been the NBA shooting guards. We have been following the league's top two's with bated breath because of their spectacular dunks, lethal crossovers, and lightning-fast pull-up shots. Many of the NBA's all-time greats may be found on our list of the league's top shooting guards.

NBA best shooting guards of all time
Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during the 2005 NBA Playoffs at the Wachovia Center on May 1, 2005, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Ezra Shaw
Source: Getty Images

As of the spring of 2019, Michael Jordan has cemented his place in history as the best shooting guard of all time. Depending on how strongly individuals feel about the topic, discussions on M.J.'s place among the NBA's best players of all time can quickly escalate into acrimonious and even insulting fights.

NBA's best shooting guards of all time

Below is a list of the best basketball shooting guards of all time.

15. Klay Thompson

best shooting guards of all time
Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after he made a three-point basket against the Indiana Pacers at Chase Center on December 05, 2022, in San Francisco, California. Photo: Ezra Shaw
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: Four NBA titles, two All-NBA 3rd Team selections, five All-Stars, one All-Defensive 2nd Team selection

NBA ranking: 235th in scoring

Even though Klay Thompson lost two full seasons in the middle of his heyday due to injuries, he has still made five All-Star squads, won four championships, and ranks in the top 20 all-time in three-pointers despite not making the final NBA75 list. If Thompson comes back and gets back to his old self, he will vault up the all-time rankings as one of the best shooting guards from every team he represented.

14. Sam Jones

NBA best shooting guards of all time
Sam Jones, #24 of the Boston Celtics, passes circa 1968 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: D. Raphael
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: 10 NBA titles, three All-NBA 2nd Team selections, five All-Stars

NBA rankings: 133rd in scoring

Sam Jones, the Celtics' leading scorer in the 1960s, was also known as a game-changer who never failed to come through in the playoffs. Jones also possessed an accurate jump shot, a skill rarely seen even among guards of his day.

13. Hal Greer

who is the greatest shooting guard of all time
Hal Greer #15 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to make a move against the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1967 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: D. Raphael
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: One NBA title, seven All-NBA 2nd Team selections, 10 All-Stars

NBA rankings: 37th in scoring, 87th in assists, 208th in rebounds

Hal Greer, one of the best and most underestimated guards of the 1960s, led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA title in 1966–1967 alongside Wilt Chamberlain, a player often overlooked despite being a member of the league's most underappreciated guard–big man tandem.

12. Tracy McGrady

most famous shooting guards
Tracy McGrady #1 of the Detroit Pistons, gets ready to take on the Sacramento Kings on November 14, 2010, at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California. Photo: Rocky Widner
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: Seven All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, one Most Improved Player award

NBA rankings: 73rd in scoring, 111th in assists, 148th in blocks, 243rd in rebounds

There would have been a significant shift in this rating had Tracy McGrady enjoyed a more successful postseason (he never advanced past the first round during his heyday) or lived longer. At his best, however, McGrady was an explosive and effective all-around wing who would have dominated in today's NBA.

11. Earl Monroe

best basketball shooting guards of all time
NBA Legend, Earl Monroe participates in a panel discussion on January 18, 2015, at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo: Joe Murphy
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: One NBA title, one All-NBA 1st Team, four All-Stars, one Rookie of the Year award

NBA rankings: 89th in scoring, 156th in assists

Earl Monroe, often known as The Pearl, was a skilled midrange scorer and passer who could also stop on a dime and confidently drain jumpers. His reputation as one of the first fearless guards to score in inventive ways makes up for the lack of stats that showcase his talents as a scorer. His impact on the game was significant, as many players of subsequent generations took cues from his style.

10. Vince Carter

best shooting guard from every team
Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 06, 2020, in Washington, DC. Photo: Will Newton
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: Two All-NBA selections, eight All-Stars

NBA rankings: 19th in scoring, 44th in steals, 77th in assists, 126th in blocks, 141st in rebounds

Vince Carter was not only one of the most spectacular dunkers in NBA history, but he also had a successful 22-year career, which was surprising given how much of an impact he had during his time in the league depended on his explosiveness.

9. Ray Allen

best basketball shooting guards of all time
Ray Allen #34 of the Miami Heat warms up before facing the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on February 5, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: Two NBA titles, two All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars

NBA rankings: 25th in scoring, 53rd in steals, 94th in assists, 244th in rebounds

It is intriguing to speculate on what Ray Allen's stats would look like if his prime had occurred 20 years later, given that his bombastic style of play, which consisted of hitting a ton of threes, would have fit well in today's NBA. Despite this, Allen established himself as one of the greatest shooters of all time, leading to a Hall of Fame career.

8. Reggie Miller

best passing shooting guards of all time
Reggie Miller #31 of the Indiana Pacers during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at the American Airlines Arena on May 10, 2004, in Miami, Florida. Photo: Victor Baldizon
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: Three All-NBA 3rd Team selections, five All-Stars

NBA rankings: 22nd in scoring, 50th in steals, 113th in assists

Reggie Miller, perhaps one of the best shooters of all time, is only fourth in NBA history in three-pointers made (2,560). His career highlight reel included several game-winning threes made under intense postseason pressure, therefore he was also a clutch shooter.

7. Clyde Drexler

best shooting guards of all time
Clyde Drexler #22 of the Portland Trailblazers looks on during a game at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in 1992 in Portland, Oregon. Photo: Brian Drake
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: One NBA title, five All-NBA selections, 10 All-Stars

NBA rankings: 8th in steals, 34th in scoring, 36th in assists, 131st in rebounds, 172nd in blocks

Clyde Drexler used his considerable athleticism to great effect on the defensive end of the court in addition to being a brilliant scorer, rebounder, and playmaker for his position. He is one of the best passing shooting guards of all time.

6. George Gervin

nba best shooting guards of all time
NBA Legend George Gervin during the 2006 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 16, 2006, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. Photo: Joe Murphy
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: Five All-NBA 1st Team selections, nine All-Stars

NBA rankings: 43rd in scoring, 189th in blocks, 206th in steals

In spite of his lack of reliable three-point shooting, George Gervin was a proficient scorer on the wing who could stuff the net with the best of them. His signature finger-roll layup is one of the most elegant manoeuvres in basketball history.

5. James Harden

most famous shooting guards
James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers, controls the ball against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on December 05, 2022, in Houston, Texas. Photo: Carmen Mandato
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: One MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, 10 All-Stars, one Sixth Man of the Year award

NBA rankings: 28th in scoring, 31st in assists, 54th in steals. 240th in rebounds

Due to his incredible scoring and playmaking skills, James Harden has already established himself as a future Hall of Famer. When he gets rolling, no one can stop him with to his strong shoulder on drives to the basket, crossover, and step-back jumper. In the years to come, he will have the opportunity to significantly expand his legacy. The 33-year-old Harden has yet to win a playoff series and is developing an intolerable losing streak. However, in 2022–23, when the 76ers are strong and Harden can take the helm, he will have a fantastic opportunity to change that.

4. Allen Iverson

best shooting guard from every team
Allen Iverson #3 of the Denver Nuggets shoots a free throw during the game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on March 23, 2007, in Toronto, Canada. Photo: Ron Turenne
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: One MVP, seven All-NBA selections, 11 All-Stars

NBA rankings: 14th in steals, 26th in scoring, 48th in assists

In addition to being one of the best point guards of his day, Allen Iverson is also a cultural icon and, at a good 6 feet tall, one of the most unbelievably explosive athletes the sport has ever seen. Jordan can attest to how lethal Iverson's crossover was, and his pyrotechnic scoring style made watching him play a joy.

3. Dwyane Wade

best basketball shooting guards of all time
Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 3, 2016, at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Photo: Issac Baldizon
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: Three NBA titles, one Finals MVP, eight All-NBA selections, 13 All-Stars, three All-Defensive 2nd Team selections

NBA rankings: 31st in steals, 32nd in scoring, 43rd in assists, 128th in blocks

Dwyane Wade came close to winning league MVP in 2008–09 and 2009–10, but never did. He was also an effective facilitator and a great defender, particularly in the area of shot blocking, where he holds the record for most blocks by a player 6-foot-4 or lower. For his part, Wade displayed incredible humility by allowing LeBron to take the lead in the championship hunt during the latter stages of his heyday.

2. Kobe Bryant

best passing shooting guards of all time
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Harry How
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: Five NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, 11 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 18 All-Stars, nine All-Defensive 1st Team selections

NBA ranking: 4th in scoring, 16th in steals, 33rd in assists, 111th in rebounds, 201st in blocks

The result of an almost unrivalled work ethic and devotion to his craft, which allowed him to develop into an outrageous scorer from the mid-range and near the rim and a high-impact perimeter defender, his career has been one of amazingly sustained excellence, despite not reaching the same heights as other megastars.

Kobe Bryant started off as Shaq's backup with the Lakers, but eventually took over the team's leadership role and led them to five championships, two of which he was named Finals MVP for. More people were undoubtedly converted into basketball fans by Bryant than by any player not named Michael Jordan throughout his career, and he concluded with more All-NBA 1st Team selections than Jordan or Earvin.

Who is the greatest shooting guard of all time?

1. Michael Jordan

nba best shooting guards of all time
Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during a game against the Boston Celtics played in 1988 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: D. Raphael
Source: Getty Images

Titles won: Six NBA titles, six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 14 All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, nine All-Defensive 1st Team selections

NBA ranking: 3rd in steals, 5th in scoring, 47th in assists, 123rd in blocks, 132nd in rebounds

Jordan worked harder than any NBA player in history to bring his body into top shape so that he could utterly annihilate his opponents on the court. He is currently one of the most famous shooting guards

For a long time, Jordan was the face of the NBA, and his stardom outside of basketball was and is nearly unbelievable. In sum, our voters still consider him to be the greatest of all time. LeBron James may one day overtake Michael Jordan as the NBA's greatest player, but Jordan will always be remembered as the best shooting guard of all time.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.