Who are the 15 best left-handed basketball players in the league right now?

Who are the 15 best left-handed basketball players in the league right now?

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:15 PM

Left-handers in basketball, such as in other sports and life, are a rarity. For instance, in 2021, out of 400 plus NBA players who participated in a game, only 34 were lefties. Below are some of the best left-handed basketball players of all time.

Best left handed
Who are the 15 best left-handed basketball players in the league right now? Photo: D Miralle (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Just like some sports like soccer has some players using their left foot, basketball is more or less the same thing, only they are more advantageous, especially when tricking an opponent. These lefties are often believed to have an advantage as their opponents often do not expect shooting action from the offhand.

The best left-handed basketball players of all time

According to various statistical analysts, here are some of the best left-handed NBA players who have dribbled that ball into goalposts without any difficulties.

15. Bob Lanier

great left-handed basketball players
Bob Lanier of the Detroit Pistons in action working down low against Wes Unseld of the Washington Bullets during a mid-circa 1970's NBA basketball game in Baltimore, Maryland. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

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Even though Bob's knee issues limited his overall resume, he still managed to rank among the most famous left-handed basketball players in the league today. He garnered an average of 20 PPG and just over ten rebounds and finished his career with 19,248 points and 9,698 rebounds. Additionally, he totalled 1,100 blocks throughout his career.

Full name

Robert Jerry Lanier Jr

Date of birth

10 September 1948

Place of birth

Buffalo, New York, USA

Age

Died on 10 May 2022 (74 years of age)

Nationality

American

Points

19,248

14. Chris Mullin

best left-handed NBA player
Former Golden State Warriors player Chris Mullin looks on before the game against the Houston Rockets at Chase Center on 20 February 2020 in San Francisco, California. Photo: Lachlan Cunningham
Source: Getty Images

Chris Mullin is also among the great left-handed basketball players of all time. He was a 1992 Olympic Dream team member and a five-time All-star. He finished his career with a whopping 17,000 points and earned himself a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Full name

Christopher Paul Mullin

Date of birth

30 July 1963

Place of birth

New York City, USA

Age

59 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Points

17,000

13. Lamar Odom

best left-handed basketball players ever
Former NBA player Lamar Odom attends the Couture Fighting Cancer 2nd annual fashion show benefiting cancer patients on 24 September 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Michael Tullberg
Source: Getty Images

There was no way that Lamar Odom could miss a spot in the list of best left-handed basketball players ever. His athletic ability often allows him to extend well beyond the comfort zone of his opponent. Although some off-pitch issues hampered Lamar late in his career, the talented NBA player ended his career as a two-time NBA champion and the league's sixth Man of the Year in 2011.

Full name

Lamar Joseph Odom

Date of birth

6 November 1979

Place of birth

Queens, New York, USA

Age

43 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Points

13.3

12. Tayshaun Prince

most famous left-handed basketball players
Tayshaun Prince of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives down the court during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers on 25 January 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo: Jason Miller
Source: Getty Images

An alumnus of the University of Kentucky, Prince's rookie season in the NBA ended as an intriguing footnote in the record books scoring more points in the playoffs than in the regular season. The long-armed lefty stood out on the defensive side of the ball and could also shoot. During his 12-year career, he recorded a stellar tally of 11,272 points, including a championship in 2004.

Full name

Tayshaun Durell Prince

Date of birth

28 February 1980

Place of birth

Compton, California, USA

Age

42 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Points

11,272

11. Zach Randolph

best left-handed NBA player
Zach Randolph is seen on 21 April 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Bauer Griffin
Source: Getty Images

What is a left-hander's listicle without Zach Randolph? Most of his fans would often describe his personality and longevity as impressive. The NBA sensation ended his long career with 18,578 points and over 10,000 rebounds. In addition, he made two All-Star appearances and earned the NBA'S Most Improved Player award in 2004.

Full name

Zachary McKenley Randolph

Date of birth

16 July 1981

Place of birth

Marion, Indiana, USA

Age

41 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Points

18,578

10. Michael Redd

left-handed basketball players' advantage
Michael Redd of the Milwaukee Bucks plays against the Washington Wizards on 2 December 2005 at the MCI Center in Washington, DC. Photo: G Fiume
Source: Getty Images

Even though Michael Redd only played in 629 games during his 11-year career spell, he almost scored 12,000 points and averaged 19 PPG while shooting a decent 44.7% from the basketball pitch. He currently ranks among the best left-handed basketball players of all time.

Full name

Michael Wesley Redd

Date of birth

24 August 1979

Place of birth

Columbus, Ohio

Age

43 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Points

12,000

9. Willis Reed

best left-handed basketball players of all time
Former New York Knicks player Willis Reed attends The Hospital for Special Surgery 35th Tribute Dinner at the American Museum of Natural History on 4 June 2018 in New York City. Photo: Astrid Stawiarz
Source: Getty Images

Renowned as one of the best NBA players of all time, Willis Reed spent his entire basketball career with the New York Knicks. During his career, he won two champions, earned two Finals MVPs, and was named Rookie of the Year in 1965 and the league's MVP in 1970.

Full name

Willis Reed Jr

Date of birth

25 June 1942

Place of birth

Dubach, Louisiana, USA

Age

80 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Points

2,280

8. David Robinson

best left-handed basketball players
David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a foul shot against the New York Knicks during an NBA basketball game circa 1990 in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

David Robinson is one NBA payer renowned for scoring, rebounding, suffocating defence, and his ability to manoeuvre around his defenders. Robinson is a 10-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion who won an MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. He ended his career with a total of 20,790 points.

Full name

David Maurice Robinson

Date of birth

6 August 1965

Place of birth

Key West, Florida

Age

57 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Points

20,790

7. Jalen Rose

best left-handed basketball players ever
ESPN personality Jalen Rose during a game between the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions at Ford Field on 18 September 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Gregory Shamus
Source: Getty Images

One of Michigan's Fab Five, Jalen Rose was a vital part of the Pacers' deep playoff runs in the late 90s and early 2000s. He won the team's scoring title, Reggie Miller's record, and earned him the Most Improved Player award in 2000.

Full name

Jalen Anthony Rose

Place of birth

30 January 1973

Date of birth

Detroit, Michigan

Age

49 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Points

14.3 points

6. Bill Russell

best left-handed basketball players of all time
Former Boston Celtic and NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell presents the 2013 WEB Du Bois Medal to NBA Commissioner David Stern on 2 October 2013 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Photo: Paul Marotta
Source: Instagram

Bill Russel is one of the greatest of all time. And yet, Russell makes intriguing trivia for the new generations of sports fans because of his era. While most often associate Bill Russell with 11 NBA titles and a handful of MVPs, a few know he is a lefty

Full name

William Felton Russell

Date of birth

12 February 1934

Place of birth

Monroe, Louisiana, USA

Age

Died on 31 July 2022

Nationality

American

Points

15.1

5. Ben Simmons

best left-handed NBA player
Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets directs his teammates in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center on 29 October 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Photo: Elsa
Source: Getty Images

Ben Simmons is among the few players on this list who are still enriching their resumes. Even though he is still battling severe injuries, he is great on defence, and it is without a doubt that he appeared on the most famous left-handed basketball players list.

Full name

Benjamin David Simmons

Place of birth

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Date of birth

20 July 1996

Age

26 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

Australian

Points

15.9

4. Damon Stoudamire

most famous left-handed basketball players
Damon Stoudamire of the Pacific Tigers huddles with his players during a timeout in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs on 25 January 2020 in Spokane, Washington. Photo: William Mancebo
Source: Getty Images

Damon Stoudamire is renowned for earning Rookie of the Year honours in 1996 and scoring over 11,763 points throughout his career. Nicknamed the Mighty Mouse, the left-handed NBA champion played in the league for over a decade.

Full name

Damon Lamon Stoudamire

Date of birth

3 September 1973

Place of birth

Portland, Oregon

Age

49 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Points

11,763

3. Isaiah Thomas

great left-handed basketball players
Isaiah Thomas of the Charlotte Hornets reacts against the Miami Heat during the first half at FTX Arena on 5 April 2022 in Miami, Florida. Photo: Michael Reaves
Source: Getty Images

Isaiah Thomas is yet another resume that has not been lamented and considered final. Despite several health issues on his hip, it has not limited the overall greatness he was destined to achieve. Still, the two-time All-Star has scored over 9,500 points in 525 games.

Full name

Isaiah Jamar Thomas

Date of birth

17 February 1989

Place of birth

Tacoma, Washington, USA

Age

33 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Points

9,500

2. Nick Van Exel

left-handed basketball players' advantage
Nick Van Exel attends the 2022 Chris Tucker Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament at Eagles Landing Country Club on 29 August 2022 in Stockbridge, Georgia. Photo: Derek White
Source: Getty Images

Nick Van Exel is one NBA player who played for 14 years and scored 12,658 points, averaging 14.4 PPG while shooting just under 36% from 3-point land. He still ranks among the best left-handed NBA players of all time.

Full name

Nickey Maxwell Van Exel

Date of birth

27 November 1971

Place of birth

Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA

Age

50 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Points

12,658

1. Lenny Wilkens

Lenny Wilkens tops the list of the best left-handed basketball players. He ended his incredible career with nine All-Star appearances, one All-Star MVP nod, and 17,772 points during the regular season.

left-handed basketball players advantage
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens poses for a portrait at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on 8 September 2017 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Photo: Maddie Meyer
Source: Getty Images

Profile summary

Full name

Leonard Randolph Wilkens

Date of birth

28 October 1937

Place of birth

Brooklyn, New York

Age

85 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Points

17,772

Is LeBron James left-handed?

LeBron James is left-handed but often shoots with his right hand. As a lefty, he has the upper hand, shooting and driving with either hand or often tricks defenders by crossing them up. He's also very effective at posting players on his left because they are not used to defending someone who goes left so often.

One fun fact about most of these best left-handed basketball players is that they are Americans. But all in all, in a sport where the majority of the players are right-handed, players who can use the offhand can easily trick defenders, and this right here is the advantage they have over the others.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.