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Best Free Throw Shooters of All Time: Top 6 NBA Legends Ranked

· Mar 03 - 6 minutes read

When you think about NBA legends, many names come to mind. Some are remembered for their highlight reels and insane crossovers. But then there’s a quieter breed of greatness: the best free throw shooter in NBA history. These guys took advantage of every free point attempt, sinking their free throws without breaking a sweat.

Every team knows that free throws can make or break a game, and these guys dominated the charity stripe. Whether it was consistency or clutch performances in the tightest moments, the greatest free throw shooter in NBA history made it a point to be reliable when their teams needed it most. Here’s a look at the top 6 best free throw shooters, ranked based on the highest free throw percentage in the NBA

Best Free Throw Shooters of All Time: Top 6 NBA Legends Ranked — Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors | Steph Chambers/Getty Images/AFP

Top 6 Free Throw Shooters of All Time

1. Steph Curry

You might know him for his 3-point record or highlight-reel handles, but let’s not forget: Steph Curry is also the best free-throw shooter of all time. With a career free throw percentage of 90.8%, Curry isn’t just breaking records from deep – he’s also knocking down free throws like there is no tomorrow. You might not think of him as a guy who dominates the free throw line, but make no mistake: when it comes to having the highest free throw percentage in the NBA, Curry’s got the crown.

Curry’s ability to hit free throws is as deadly as his 3-point shooting, and that’s saying a lot. With his knack for delivering in clutch moments, whether in the postseason or the regular season, Curry proves repeatedly that he’s one of the best ever to play the game. Steph Curry believes he is the best point guard ever, and when you look at his impact from the free-throw line, it’s hard to argue.

2. Steve Nash

Let’s talk about another guy who knew exactly how to take advantage of the charity stripe – Steve Nash. With a career free throw percentage of 90.4%, Nash was an absolute machine at the foul line. You might remember him for his passes and court vision, but Nash’s ability to sink free throws was also a massive reason for what made him so deadly.

Whether you’re talking about his assists or ability to knock down free throws, Nash was a player who understood how to make the most of every opportunity. What is true shooting percentage in basketball? Well, Nash mastered it in his time, considering his near-perfect efficiency across the board.

3. Mark Price

For those who watched the Cleveland Cavaliers in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, they knew one thing for sure: Mark Price was automatic from the free-throw line. With a career free throw percentage of 90.3%, Price’s ability to sink free throws is why he earned a spot as arguably the best free throw shooter in NBA history.

Even with all the other notable talent on his team at the time, Price’s free throw shooting was one of his most dependable weapons, and he ensured it stayed that way throughout his career. As you think about all-time NBA starting lineups, Price has a case to be mentioned, thanks to his consistency from the foul line.

4. Rick Barry

Rick Barry might be remembered for his wild, underhanded free throw technique, but don’t let that fool you – he knew what he was doing. Barry’s accuracy was undeniable, shooting 89.9% from the foul line in his career. You could argue that his underhanded free-throw method was a secret weapon that helped him maintain one of the best free-throw percentages in NBA history.

Barry consistently made free throws in a way that few others could match. While others might’ve laughed at his technique, the results spoke for themselves; he was one of the greatest free throw shooters in NBA history, and that’s something that can’t be overlooked.

5. Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard might be known for his buzzer-beaters and deep-range threes, but don’t forget he’s also a deadly free-throw shooter. With a career free throw percentage of 89.7%, Lillard has proven that he’s not just a 3-point specialist – he’s also clutch from the charity stripe.

Lillard’s ability to perform under pressure extends beyond his 3-point shooting – his free-throw shooting has been a massive factor throughout his career. And when we’re talking about one of the greatest point guards ever to play the game, his ability to knock down free throws when it counts most makes him so dangerous.

6. Peja Stojakovic

Peja Stojakovic might not have gotten the same recognition as some of the other greats, but he was as reliable as they come when it came to free-throw shooting. With a career free-throw percentage of 89.5%, Stojakovic is one of the best free-throw shooters of all time. The former Sacramento Kings star was known for his smooth shooting stroke and free-throw shooting.

Stojakovic’s ability to hit free throws was a massive part of what made him a key player for the teams he played for. Regarding free throw shooting, Stojakovic deserves a seat at the table with the best, and his spot on this list is well-earned. As a testament to his international roots, Stojakovic also stands as one of the best international NBA players to ever make an impact in the league.