The NBA has seen thousands of players, but only a select few can be called truly elite shooters. Instead of a simple list, this ranking breaks shooters into tiers, based on efficiency, volume, impact, and how they changed the game.
Here are the 20 greatest shooters in NBA history — ranked by tier rather than just stats.
Contents
Tier 1: Game-Changers (All-Time Legends)
1. Stephen Curry
The greatest shooter ever — period.
Curry leads the NBA in all-time threes and transformed spacing, shot selection, and defensive strategy.
2. Klay Thompson
Elite catch-and-shoot weapon with the quickest release in league history.
His 60-point, 11-dribble game remains unmatched.
3. Ray Allen
Once the NBA’s all-time leader in threes, Allen transitioned from athletic scorer to the purest spot-up shooter of his era.
Ray Allen is one of the greatest shooters of all-time ☔🔥 pic.twitter.com/dVMfAtm0S6
— Fastbreak Hoops (@FastbreakHoops5) November 11, 2025
Tier 2: Unstoppable Specialists
4. Reggie Miller
Defined clutch shooting in the ’90s — fearless, physical, and dominant without the ball.
5. Larry Bird
Not just a shooter, but an assassin. Bird’s confidence and shot-making under pressure were legendary.
6. Kevin Durant
At 7 feet tall with guard skills, Durant is the most unguardable jump shooter ever — elite off the dribble and in the mid-range.
7. Damian Lillard
Deep-range pull-ups, clutch dominance, and logo-range confidence make Lillard a modern shooting icon.
Tier 3: Elite Marksmen
8. Kyle Korver
Top-five all-time in threes, with a career defined by perfect mechanics and constant movement.
9. Dirk Nowitzki
Reinvented the power forward position — his one-legged fadeaway remains unstoppable.
10. Steve Nash
Career 49/43/90 efficiency speaks for itself — one of the purest shooters ever.
11. Peja Stojaković
A deadly early-2000s wing with deep range and elite off-ball shooting.
12. JJ Redick
Perfect footwork and relocation technique made him a modern off-screen specialist.
Tier 4: Underrated and Overlooked
13. Mitch Richmond
A powerful scorer with elite shooting touch before the three-point explosion.
14. Joe Harris
One of the most efficient shooters of the modern era when healthy.
15. Allan Houston
Smooth mid-range stroke and deep-range precision defined his Knicks career.
16. Mike Miller
A fearless shooter who thrived as a role-player and playoff weapon.
Tier 5: Rising and Recent Legends
17. James Harden
More than a scorer — Harden’s step-back changed the way guards create space.
18. Paul George
Consistently elite efficiency from deep and deadly in rhythm.
19. Khris Middleton
One of the most reliable mid-range and clutch shooters of the 2010s.
20. Trae Young
Already among the highest-volume deep shooters ever — on track to climb much higher.
Final Thoughts
Great shooting isn’t just about three-point percentage — it’s about volume, difficulty, and impact. From Curry reshaping the sport to legends like Ray Allen and Larry Bird, the greatest shooters changed not just games, but entire eras of basketball.