In basketball, free throws are a vital skill. Almost all NBA games have a free throw session, so free throw percentage is a very important metric for every player. In NBA history, there are many players who are known for their excellent free throw percentage, so let's take a look at the 20 players with the highest free throw percentage in NBA history.
20. Kel Kovor
Kyle Corver averaged 1.1 of 1.2 free throws per game and 1,297 of 1,479 free throws in his career, with a free throw percentage of 87.69 percent. Kyle Cornwall is a long-retired NBA player who has played for several teams, including the Cavaliers, Hawks and Bucks. The most impressive thing about him is that he has partnered with LeBron James and Alphabet Brother.
19. Jeff Hornacek
He averaged 2.8 of 3.1 free throws per game in his career, 2,973 of 3,390 free throws, and a free throw percentage of 87.70%. Jeff Hornacek is an NBA legend who has played for teams such as the Utah Jazz and Suns, and in the '90s, he was also the team's most consistent scorer.
18. Dirknowitzki
He averaged 4.8 of 5.4 free throws per game in his career, 7,240 of 8,239 free throws, and a free throw percentage of 87.88%. Dirk Nowitzki is a recently retired NBA international star who spent his career with the Dallas Mavericks and is the greatest big three-point shooter and free thrower in NBA history.
17. Chris Middleton
Chris Middleton averaged 3.4 of 3.9 free throws per game and 3,445 of 3,864 free throws in his career, for a free throw percentage of 88.12 percent. Chris Middleton, who currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, shot 89.5 percent from the free throw line in 2022-23 and has suffered a bit of injuries in recent seasons.
16. Bill Sharman
Bill Sharman averaged 4.4 of 5.0 free throws per game and 3,143 of 3,559 free throws in his career, for a free throw percentage of 88.31 percent. No. 16 is Bill Sharman, one of the superstars of the '50s and '10s who was a multiple All-Star during his career, and he's also a member of the Boston Celtics dynasty, a multiple championship winner.
15. Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving averaged 3.9 of 4.4 free throws per game and 2,570 of 2,907 free throws in his career, for a free throw percentage of 88.41 percent. Kyrie Irving is ranked 15th on the free throw percentage list, Kyrie Irving, like Stephen Curry, is also one of the best point guards in the NBA, his superb dribbling skills and efficient scoring ability are widely praised, when he plays seriously, he is the NBA's current No. 1 point guard, when not playing seriously, he is the league's active 3 to 5 point guards.
14. Larry Bird
Larry Bird averaged 4.4 of 5.0 free throws per game and 3,960 of 4,471 free throws in his career, making 88.57 percent free throw percentage. Larry Bird, a legend of the '80s, ranked No. 14 on this list, won multiple MVP honors and helped the Boston Celtics win three championships, and he is also one of the best scorers in NBA history.
13. Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant averaged 6.7 of 7.6 free throws per game and 6,606 of 7,456 free throws in his career, with a free throw percentage of 88.60%. Kevin Durant is ranked 13th, and as one of the best superstars of the modern NBA, Durant has excellent height and scoring ability, and he is also a precise free throw shooter.
12. Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller averaged 4.5 of 5.1 free throws per game in his career, 6,237 of 7,026 free throws, and a free throw percentage of 88.77%. Reggie Miller is No. 12 on our list, Reggie Miller is a legendary shooter for the Indiana Pacers whose three-point shooting ability and free-throw shooting ability are both epic and made him a superstar of the '90s.
11. Scott Skyles
Scott Skyles averaged 2.6 of 2.9 free throws per game in his career, 1,548 of 1,741 total free throws, and 88.91 percent from the free-throw line. Scott Skyles is No. 11 on our list, and as a point guard who has played for multiple teams, Scott Skyles' excellent free throw making has also made him a consistent scoring point for the team.
10. Calvin Murphy
Calvin Murphy averaged 3.4 of 3.9 free throws and 3,445 of 3,864 free throws in his career, for a free throw percentage of 89.16 percent. No. 10 is Calvin Murphy, one of the Houston Rockets legends who won numerous awards and was one of the best players of his time while playing for the Rockets in the '70s and '80s.
9. J.J. Redick
JJ Redick averaged 2.2 of 2.5 free throws per game in his career, 2,310 of 2,310 free throws in 2,060, and a free throw percentage of 89.18%. J. Redick is No. 9 on our list, and J. Redick is also a great three-pointer who has played for multiple teams throughout his career, most memorably when he played for the Los Angeles Clippers.
8. Ray Allen
Ray Allen averaged 3.4 of 3.8 free throws per game in his career, 4,398 of 4,920 free throws, and 89.39 percent from the free-throw line. Ray Allen is No. 8 on the free-throw percentage list, Ray Allen is one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history, and his free throw skills are equally amazing, knowing that Ray Allen's free throws and three-pointers are essential training programs every training day of his career.
7. Chauncey Billups
Chauncy Billups averaged 4.3 of 4.8 free throws per game and 4,496 of 5,029 free throws in his career, making 89.40 percent of the free throw line. Ranked No. 7 and his free-throw percentage is very consistent, Chauncy Billups is a very experienced guard who helped the Detroit Pistons defeat the Lakers in the Finals and win a championship.
6. Pejastoyakovich
Pejastojakovic averaged 2.8 of 3.1 free throws per game and 2,237 of 2,500 free throws in his career, with a free throw percentage of 89.48%. No. 6 is Pejastojaković, a legend in the Serbian basketball world who played for the Sacramento Kings and helped the team reach the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals and one of the Kings' greatest players in history.
5. Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard averaged 5.7 of 6.4 free throws per game and 4,415 of 4,932 free throws in his career, for a free throw percentage of 89.52 percent. Damian Lillard has one of the highest free-throw percentages among active NBA players, with a free throw percentage of 91.5 percent in 2022-23, ranking third in the league. The 32-year-old has several seasons left in his career, but his free-throw skills and consistency have surpassed many veterans and young players.
4. Rick Barry
Rick Barry averaged 4.8 of 5.3 free throws per game and 5,713 of 6,397 free throws in his career, for a free throw percentage of 89.98 percent. While his free-throw shooting style is quite unique, Rick Barry's free-throw percentage is undeniable. He shot 89 percent from the free throw line in his career, the fourth in NBA history. He achieved many accolades in the '60s and '70s and consistently maintained a very high free-throw percentage.
3. Mark Price
He averaged 3.0 of 3.3 free throws per game in his career, 2,135 of 2,362 free throws, and a 90.39% free throw percentage. Mark Price was a legendary point guard in the '80s and '90s, shooting nearly 90.4 percent from the free-throw line. His superb skill and excellent consistency allow him to always perform at his best on the field.
2. Steve Nash
Steve Nash averaged 2.5 of 2.8 free throws per game and 3,060 of 3,384 free throws in his career, shooting 90.43 percent from the free-throw line. Steve Nash is a legendary point guard who shot 90.4 percent from the free throw line during his career, the second-highest in NBA history. His free-throw skills and consistency are very admirable, especially in key moments.
1. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry averaged 3.9 of 4.3 free throws per game and 3,422 of 3,766 free throws in his career, with a free throw percentage of 90.87%. As one of the most iconic stars today, Stephen Curry is not only an excellent three-point shooter, but also an excellent free throw shooter, and his free throw percentage is amazing. He shot 91.5 percent from the free throw line in 2022-23, and Stephen Curry is the most in NBA history. Over the past six seasons, he has shot more than 90 percent from the free throw line.