A list of all the past NBA 3-point contest winners to date

A list of all the past NBA 3-point contest winners to date

Lenah Ann
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:24 PM

Since its inception in 1986, the 3-point contest has been won by several high-profile basketball legends, with some of them displaying undeniably incredible skills on those basketball courts. Following these players’ long-distance sharp-shooting skills, the NBA has seen some of the best athletes on the court, and that is always a treat for the fans.

All NBA 3-point contest winners
Gary Trent Jr of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets on 3 February 2023, at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Photo: Logan Riely
Source: Getty Images

Some legends such as Larry Bird and Craig Hodges have won the contest more than once and are considered the greatest of all time. Dig in to find more details about the NBA 3-point contest winners by year.

NBA 3-point contest winners list as of 2023

Over the decades, there have been several contestants fighting to take home the 3-point title, and only a few have emerged successful. According to various online sources, Sportsbrief has compiled a list ranking some of these winners as of 2023.

10. Karl-Anthony Towns

Towns, a Minnesota Timberwolves centre, became the third big man and also the first centre to win the contest on 19 February 2022 at Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

NBA 3-point contest winners
Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on 14 January 2023 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo: David Sherman
Source: Getty Images

He defeated his rivals, Luke Kennard and Trae Young, in the final round and took home the highly converted title.

Full name

Karl-Anthony Towns

Date of birth

15 November 1995

Place of birth

Edison, New Jersey, the United States of America

Age

27 years of age as of February 2023

Nationality

American

Team(s)

Timberwolves

Location

Cleveland

Year won

2022

9. Steph Curry

NBA 3-point contest winners list as of 2023
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on 2 February 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Photo: Garrett Ellwood
Source: Getty Images

He is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time and the greatest shooter in the history of the NBA. Playing for the Warriors, he revolutionised the sport and inspired players to take more 3-point shots.

Although he has multiple titles to his name, he is also a 2-time 3-point NBA winner, 2015 and 2021 with a record of 31 points.

Full name

Wardell Stephen Curry II

Date of birth

14 March 1988

Place of birth

Akron, Ohio, the United States of America

Age

34 years of age as of February 2023

Nationality

American

Team(s)

Warriors

Location

Chicago

Year(s) won

2015 and 2021

8. Buddy Hield

NBA 3-point contest winners of all time
Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers brings the ball up court during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on 29 January 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo: Justin Ford
Source: Getty Images

Although, as of 2023, he is playing for the Indiana Pacers, Hield won the 3-point NBA contest while at Sacramento Kings, topping Devin Booker in the final round on 15 February 2020.

Being one of the greatest basketball shooters, he has committed himself to participate in the 2023 3-point shoot-out.

Full name

Chavano Rainer Buddy Hield

Date of birth

17 December 1992

Place of birth

Freeport, Bahamas

Age

30 years of age as of February 2023

Nationality

Bahamian

Team(s)

Kings

Location

Chicago

Year won

2020

7. Joe Harris

NBA 3-point contest winners by year
Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets warms up before the game against the Boston Celtics on 1st February 2023 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler
Source: Getty Images

Despite a star-studded field in which he drained all the shots and walked away with the trophy after an incredible shooting performance. He was facing the likes of Seth Curry, Buddy Hield, and Steph Curry, plus former champions Dirk Nowitzki and Devin Booker.

Full name

Joseph Malcolm Harris

Date of birth

6 September 1991

Place of birth

Chelan, Washington, the United States of America

Age

31 years of age as of February 2023

Nationality

American

Team(s)

Nets

Location

Charlotte

Year won

2019

6. Devin Booker

All NBA 3-point contest winners
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns walks off the floor after the Suns beat the Brooklyn Nets 117-112 at Footprint Center on 19 January 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Chris Coduto
Source: Getty Images

He notched 28 points in the final round and won the contest, setting a record for the most points in a single round. He beat Klay Thompson, the 2016 champion of the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers' Tobias Harris.

Furthermore, he became the Suns' second player to win the title after Quentin Richardson in 2005.

Full name

Devin Armani Booker

Date of birth

30 October 1996

Place of birth

Grand Rapids, Michigan, the United States of America

Age

26 years of age as of February 2023

Nationality

American

Team(s)

Phoenix Suns

Location

Los Angeles

Year won

2018

5. Eric Gordon

NBA 3-point contest winners of all time
Eric Gordon of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on 28 January 2023 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Chris Schwegler
Source: Getty Images

The Houston Rockets guard won the contest on 18 February 2017 thus becoming the first player from his team to win the event. He beat Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving with a score of 25.

Full name

Eric Ambrose Gordon Jr

Date of birth

25 December 1988

Place of birth

Indianapolis, Indiana, the United States of America

Age

34 years of age as of February 2023

Nationality

American

Team(s)

Rockets

Location

New Orleans

Year won

2017

4. Klay Thompson

NBA 3-point contest winners list as of 2023
Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors shoots a three-point shot against the Toronto Raptors during the third quarter on 27 January 2023 in San Francisco, California. Photo: Thearon W Henderson
Source: Getty Images

On 13 February 2016, Klay competed in the 3-point contest and won. He defeated his rivals Curry and Booker in the last round. He had previously lost to Curry in the 2015 season and was ready to redeem himself.

Not only that, but he scored 27 points, which saw him win the contest for the first time. It was also the first time that teammates won the 3-point contest back-to-back.

Full name

Klay Alexander Thompson

Date of birth

8 February 1990

Place of birth

Los Angeles, California, the United States of America

Age

33 years of age as of February 2023

Nationality

American

Team(s)

Warriors

Location

Toronto

Year won

2016

3. Marco Belinelli

NBA 3-point contest winners by year
Marco Belinelli of Virtus Segafredo Bologna during the LBA match against and Umana Reyer Venezia at Virtus Segafredo Arena on 15 January 2023 in Bologna, Italy. Photo: Emmanuele Ciancaglini
Source: Getty Images

By scoring 24 points in the tiebreaker against the Washington Wizards, Bradley Beal, the then Spurs guard, won the contest and proved that he is one of the best shooters in the game.

He is playing for Virtus Bologna as of 2023.

Full name

Marco Stefano Belinelli

Date of birth

25 March 1986

Place of birth

San Giovanni, Persiceto, Italy

Age

36 years of age as of February 2023

Nationality

Italian

Team(s)

Spurs

Location

New Orleans

Year won

2014

2. Kyrie Irving

All NBA 3-point contest winners
Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles against the Boston Celtics during the first half at TD Garden on 1st February 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Maddie Meyer
Source: Instagram

In 2013, he became the new 3-point champion after dominating the competition. He netted 23 points in the finals and beat Matt Bonner. He set the internet in a blaze with his stunning moves, which led to his popularity.

Additionally, he is playing for the Brooklyn Nets as of 2023.

Full name

Kyrie Andrew Irving

Date of birth

23 March 1992

Place of birth

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Age

30 years of age as of February 2023

Nationality

Australian

Team(s)

Cavaliers

Location

Houston

Year won

2013

1. Kevin Love

He is one of the best shooters in the business. In 2012, he won the contest even though he was flanked by the likes of James Jones, Mario Chalmers and Kevin Durant, the former NBA MVP among others.

NBA 3-point contest winners of all time
Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to pass in the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on 24 January 2023 in New York City. Photo: Elsa
Source: Getty Images

Full name

Kevin Wesley Love

Date of birth

7 September 1988

Place of birth

Santa Monica, California, the United States of America

Age

34 years of age as of February 2023

Nationality

American

Team(s)

Timberwolves, and currently plays for Cleveland Cavaliers

Location

Orlando

Year won

2012

Who won the most 3-point contest in 2022?

Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves centre, beat the odds and made history by becoming one of the tallest players to win the MTN DEW 3-Point Contest in record fashion.

Who has the most 3-point contest wins?

To date, Larry Bird and Craig Hodges are the only NBA players to ever win a 3-point contest three times.

The 3-point contest winners have not only made history in the NBA arena, but also made a name for themselves. The title has been contested for since its inception and over the years, it has featured stars as well as less known players, who have done wonders in the shoot-outs with incredible skills.

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Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.