A ranked list of 10 of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA

Who are the best 3-point shooters in the NBA? Safe to say, players who can make long shots, or shoot from downtown, are an asset to any team. These individuals have become renowned players in today's game, displaying impressive offensive prowess and earning accolades while at it. Discover who they are and their records so far.

The first 3-point shot was made in 1967 by Jerry Harkness of the Indiana Pacers (American Basketball Association) just one second to the final whistle, earning his team a win against the Dallas Chaparrals (119-118). Years later, the NBA adopted it, and today, you will hardly watch any game without a few spectacular 3-pointers. Here are the best 3 point shooters in the NBA.

Ranked list of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA

Several players have excelled in this exceptional skill. In today's game, all five players should learn how to make a 3-point shot and not leave that to the shooting guard and small forward. Here are some of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA 2023:

10. Klay Thompson

• Full name: Klay Alexander Thompson
• Date of birth: February 8, 1990
• Age: 33 years old (in 2023)
• Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Height: 6 feet, 6 inches
• Positions: Shooting guard, small forward
• Current team: Golden State Warriors

Klay is one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA right now. He has been part of the Golden State Warriors since 2011. However, he did not play in the last season due to injuries to his Achilles tendon. The brilliant player once scored 60 points within 29 minutes.

Thompson is a three-time NBA champion (2015, 2017, and 2018) and a five-time NBA All-Star (2015-2019). His three-point percentage is 41.5%. Together with teammate Stephen Curry, they make up the ''Splash Brothers,'' a nickname they earned due to their backcourt shooting abilities.

9. Joe Ingles

• Full name: Joseph Howarth Ingles
• Date of birth: October 2, 1987
• Age: 35 years old
• Place of birth: Happy Valley, Australia
• Height: 6 feet, 8 inches
• Positions: Power forward, small forward
• Current team: Milwaukee Bucks

Joe's NBA debut was with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014. He previously played for the Australian Institute of Sport before joining the South Dragons of the National Basketball League of Australia and New Zealand.

Additionally, the athlete played for the Australian national team in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Sumer Olympics. Ingles has a 3-point percentage of 45.1%. He currently plays as a small forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, which he joined in 2022.

8. Seth Curry

• Full name: Seth Adham Curry
• Date of birth: August 23, 1990
• Age: 32 years (In 2023)
• Place of birth: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
• Height: 6 feet, 1 inch
• Positions: Shooting guard, point guard
• Current team: Philadelphia 76ers

Seth is Stephen Curry's younger brother. His debut in the NBA was in January 2014 when he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies, but transferred after only four days to the Santa Cruz Warriors. In March of the same year, Curry signed a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and then returned to Santa Cruz to finish the 2013/14 NBA D-League.

Seth has played with numerous teams throughout his career, including Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, and Dallas Mavericks. He now plays with the Philadelphia 76ers as a shooting guard. His NBA 3-point percentage is 43.7%.

7. Zach Lavine

• Full name: Zachary Thomas LaVine
• Date of birth: March 10, 1995
• Age: 27 years old
• Place of birth: Renton, Washington, USA
• Height: 6 feet, 5 inches
• Positions: Small forward, shooting guard
• Current team: Chicago Bulls

Zach has been in the NBA since 2014 when he joined the Minnesota Timberwolves. He joined the Chicago Bulls in 2017 and is one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA this season.

In the 2020/21 season, Lavine played in 58 games. In the same season, he did 200 3-pointers, becoming the first player in the Chicago Bulls history to make at least 7 3's in consecutive games. His 3-point percentage is 41.9%.

6. Buddy Hield

• Full name: Chavano Rainer "Buddy" Hield
• Date of birth: December 17, 1992
• Age: 30 years old
• Place of birth: Freeport, Bahamas
• Height: 6 feet, 4 inches
• Positions: Small forward, shooting guard
• Current team: Indiana Pacers

Buddy is a shooting guard and small forward currently signed with the Indiana Pacers, whom he joined in 2022. He was previously part of the New Orleans Pelicans (2016) and the Sacramento Kings (2017).

The Nike-sponsored athlete closed the 2020/21 season with a three-range percentage of 39.1%. Despite his young career, Hield has already made significant moves. For example, he was the fastest player to make 1000 3-pointers.

5. Duncan Robinson

• Full name: Duncan McBryde Robinson
• Date of birth: April 22, 1994
• Age: 28 years old
• Place of birth: Maine, USA
• Height: 6 feet, 7 inches
• Positions: Small forward, shooting guard
• Current team: Miami Heat

Duncan was one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA 2022 season. The Miami Heat player joined the team in July 2018 and is the leading 3-point shooter, with a record of 807 shots in total.

Additionally, Robinson became the fastest player in league history to make 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 career 3-pointers. Unfortunately, a section of Miami Heat fans has criticized him for inconsistent scoring and poor defensive play.

4. Damian Lillard

• Full name: Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard Sr
• Date of birth: July 15, 1990
• Age: 32 years old
• Place of birth: Oakland, California, USA
• Height: 6 feet, 2 inches
• Position: Point guard
• Current team: Portland Trail Blazers

Damian's career in the NBA has been nothing short of impeccable. He has more than 2,000 3-pointers to his name, with a success rate of approximately 37%. Lillard is the third player in NBA history with 1,500 points and 400 assists in each of his first eight seasons.

The athlete holds his team's record for the most points won in one game (61). He has been a part of the Portland Trail Blazers since 2012. He only missed the 2021-2022 season due to an abdominal injury. However, Damian Lillard bounced back in 2023 and now boasts a 3-point score percentage of 37.3%.

3. James Harden

• Full name: James Edward Harden Jr
• Date of birth: August 26, 1989
• Age: 33 years old
• Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Height: 6 feet, 5 inches
• Positions: Point guard, shooting guard
• Current team: Philadelphia 76ers

Harden has made 2,593 3-point field goals, with 7,176 attempts, throughout his career. Besides the 3 points, James has also excelled in free throws and is currently ranked at position 9 in the NBA's list of the most free throws made (7,044).

The player is known for his outstanding beard which has earned him the nickname ''The Beard.'' Unknown to many, Harden is left-handed. While playing with the Houston Rockets, he was named the third team player to reach 3,000 points with less than 120 appearances.

In March 2022, the 33-year-old surpassed Reggie Miller when he scored his 2,561st 3-point goal, earning him third place in total NBA career 3-pointers made.

2. Joe Harris

• Full name: Joseph Malcolm Harris
• Date of birth: September 6, 1991
• Age: 31 years old
• Place of birth: Chelan, Washington, USA
• Height: 6 feet, 6 inches
• Positions: Small forward, shooting guard
• Current team: Brooklyn Nets

Harris signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. He stayed with them until 2016 when he joined Orlando Magic. However, his stay there was short-lived and he signed with the Brooklyn Nets in July 2016.

Due to a shoulder injury, he dropped out of the 2017 season but re-signed with the same team in July 2018. In February 2019, Joe won the NBA 3-point contest. With 949 shots in his career, his 3-point average is 43.9%.

1. Stephen Curry

• Full name: Wardell Stephen Curry II
• Date of birth: March 14, 1988
• Age: 34 years old
• Place of birth: Akron, Ohio, USA
• Height: 6 feet, 2 inches
• Position: Point guard
• Current team: Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry is a pace-setter in his own right. At the peak of his career, Curry is recognized as one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA of all time. Out of the nine times an NBA player converted at least 272 3-pointers in a single season, Curry is behind five of them.

Additionally, he was the first player to break the 300 3 points barrier. In 2023, Steph Curry's 3-point percentage is an impressive 50%. The player also has the most consecutive season games with a 3-pointer (157).

As he continues thriving in his career, Stephen will undoubtedly continue scaling the heights as he sets the bar higher. The only unanimous MVP is the point guard for the Golden State Warriors, whose coach is Steve Kerr, a one-time NBA highest 3-point percentage holder.

The best 3-point shooters in the NBA are gifted and uniquely talented. As they grow in their careers and continue setting new records, they have legends to look up to, and upcoming players to inspire as they become the best they can be.

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These players include Brazilian Rafael Araujo, Todd Fuller of the Golden State Warriors, and Mengke Bateer. Click on the above article for the comprehensive list of basketball players who are considered flops.

Source: Sports Brief News