Top 15 Shooters Who Changed Basketball Forever

Shooting is one of the most important skills in basketball, and certain players have completely transformed how it’s used. These shooters expanded court spacing, influenced game strategy, and made long-range scoring a priority. Their impact is still seen in how modern teams build offenses and train players.

15. Ray Allen

David Butler II-Imagn Images

Ray Allen retired as the NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers made, with a total of 2,973. His smooth shooting form and quick release made him one of the most trusted perimeter threats in the game. He played a key role in championship runs for both the Celtics and the Heat. His game-winning shot in the 2013 Finals is one of the most iconic in league history.  

14. Dirk Nowitzki

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Dirk Nowitzki changed how big men played by bringing a consistent outside shot to the power forward position. He scored over 31,000 career points, many of them from midrange and beyond the arc. His one-legged fadeaway became a trademark move and was nearly impossible to block. Dirk forced defenders to leave the paint, opening up space for teammates.  

13. Chris Mullin

Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

Chris Mullin was one of the most efficient shooters of the late 1980s and early 90s. He had a quick release, accurate shot, and high basketball IQ. Mullin consistently shot over 50 percent from the field and nearly 90 percent from the free-throw line. He helped the Warriors stretch defenses and played a big role in Team USA’s dominance in 1992.

12. Glen Rice

Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

Glen Rice was known for his scoring bursts and his ability to shoot over defenders with ease. He averaged over 40 percent from three for several seasons and was a three-time All-Star. Rice won the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1997 by hitting multiple long-range shots in a short period. He helped shift how teams used the small forward position for spacing.

11. Kevin Durant

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Kevin Durant is a 7-foot forward with the shooting ability of a guard. He can pull up from deep, shoot off the dribble, and score over any defender. Durant has four scoring titles and two Finals MVPs, proving his efficiency at all levels of the floor. His unique blend of size and shooting has influenced how players develop from a young age.

10. Kyle Korver

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Kyle Korver spent 17 seasons as one of the league’s most accurate three-point shooters. He led the NBA in three-point percentage multiple times and hit over 2,400 career threes. Korver was a role player who created value through constant off-ball movement and shot readiness. Teams designed plays just to get him open looks from deep.  

9. Larry Bird

Malcolm Emmons - Imagn Images

Larry Bird made perimeter shooting a bigger part of the game during the 1980s. He had excellent footwork, a quick release, and hit shots in high-pressure moments. Bird won three straight MVP awards and was the first player to win the NBA three-point contest three times. His confidence in shooting from long range influenced how future forwards approached the game.

8. Steve Nash

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Steve Nash had shooting percentages of 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three, and 90 percent from the free-throw line across multiple seasons. He mastered the pick-and-roll and used his shooting threat to control games. Nash’s decision-making and shooting forced defenses to play honestly, helping spread the floor. His style helped shape the modern point guard role.  

7. Steve Kerr

Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

Steve Kerr has the highest three-point shooting percentage in NBA history at 45.4 percent. He was a reliable shooter during the Chicago Bulls’ championship years and made key shots during playoff runs. Kerr rarely took bad shots and made the most of limited touches. His accuracy made him a valuable contributor to multiple title-winning teams.  

6. Damian Lillard

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Damian Lillard regularly hits three-pointers from well beyond the arc, changing how defenses guard the pick-and-roll. He has one of the deepest shooting ranges in league history. Lillard has hit multiple game-winning shots in the playoffs and is known for clutch shooting. His ability to shoot from 30 feet forces defenses to stretch out early in possessions.

5. Klay Thompson

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Klay Thompson holds the record for most points in a quarter with 37 and made 14 threes in a single game. His quick release and off-ball movement make him one of the hardest shooters to guard. Klay rarely dribbles before shooting, showing his efficiency in catch-and-shoot situations. He has been a key part of the Golden State Warriors’ championship runs.

4. Reggie Miller

Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

Reggie Miller was one of the first players to use the three-point shot as a primary weapon. He scored over 25,000 points in his career and was known for hitting shots in tight moments. Miller’s ability to run through screens and shoot off balance made him a constant threat. His performance against the Knicks in the 1995 playoffs became a defining moment for clutch shooting.  

3. Pete Maravich

Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

Pete Maravich played before the three-point line was widely used, but his deep shooting was years ahead of his time. He had unlimited range and often created his own shot off the dribble. Maravich scored over 44 points per game in college and was known for creative scoring. His style influenced future generations to value shooting and offensive creativity.

2. Michael Jordan

Imagn Images

Michael Jordan was not known for volume three-point shooting, but his midrange game was nearly unstoppable. He mastered the turnaround jumper, especially from the post, and delivered in countless late-game situations. Jordan led the NBA in scoring ten times and made a career out of hitting shots in high-pressure moments. His precision from midrange influenced how guards and wings developed their scoring tools.

1. Stephen Curry

Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Stephen Curry has made more threes than anyone in NBA history and redefined how the game is played. He routinely hits shots from well beyond the arc, both off the dribble and in motion. Curry opened up the floor for teammates and forced teams to rethink defensive spacing. His impact is seen at every level of basketball, where long-range shooting is now a central skill.

• Tags:
• NBA
• basketball
• Shooting
• history
• skills