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7 Greatest NBA Free Throw Shooters of All Time

by Jeremy Block - 2/27/2025

NBA best free throw shooters of all time Damian Lillard Milwaukee Bucks

When we think about NBA legends, names like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant probably come to mind first. Sure, these guys are known for their iconic dunks and shot-making abilities. But let’s talk about the players who made their living at the free-throw line. The best free throw shooters in NBA history didn’t make a fuss -- they just knocked down free throws, all day, every day.

Every team knows that free throws can swing a game, and these players have dominated the charity stripe. Whether it's their consistency or their ability to step up when the game is on the line, these players have been clutch when it matters most. So, let’s take a look at the top 7 free throw shooters in NBA history.

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Steph Curry

We all know Steph Curry for his 3-point records, but let’s not forget about his free throw shooting. With a career free throw percentage of 90.8%, Curry is not just the guy you want behind the arc; he’s also someone you want at the line when it counts. It might not be the first thing you think of when someone says "Curry," but let’s get real: the dude can light it up from anywhere.

What really stands out is Curry’s ability to keep it consistent. Whether it’s the regular season or the playoffs, he’s as reliable as they come from the charity stripe. His numbers speak for themselves -- he’s a top-tier free throw shooter, and that just adds another layer to his already stacked resume.

Steve Nash

When you think of Steve Nash, chances are you're thinking about his pinpoint passes and flashy playmaking. But don’t sleep on his free throw shooting. Nash made sure every trip to the line counted, and with a career percentage of 90.4%, he rarely missed.

Nash wasn’t just a pass-first point guard -- he looked to get to the foul line. Whether he was hitting an open teammate with a no-look dime or sinking a free throw, Nash knew how to capitalize on every opportunity. Clutch? Always.

Mark Price

If you were watching the Cleveland Cavaliers in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, you know Mark Price didn’t miss when he was at the line. Price wasn’t just a ball handler for Cleveland -- he was an absolute free throw machine, knocking down shots with a consistency that made it look effortless.

When it came to crunch time, Price was the guy you wanted taking those free shots. Every point mattered, and he made sure his team always got the best from him at the foul line. His accuracy under pressure puts him firmly in the conversation as one of the league’s best, shooting 90.3% from the foul line for his career.

Rick Barry

Let’s talk about Rick Barry for a second, specifically his underhanded free throw style. Sure, it looked a little funny, but guess what? It worked. Barry shot a career free throw percentage of 89.9%, which is pretty impressive for any player, let alone someone who used the "granny shot" technique.

Sure, he took some heat for the unconventional form, but the results don’t lie. Barry was money at the charity stripe, and his ability to consistently knock down free throws -- no matter how odd it looked -- helped cement his legacy as one of the NBA’s most lethal free throw shooters.

Damian Lillard

We all know Damian Lillard for his clutch 3-pointers, but let’s not forget how lethal he is at the line. Lillard is shooting 89.7% from the charity stripe on his career, and that’s something you can't ignore when you're talking about one of the most dangerous point guards in the league.

It’s not just about the buzzer-beaters for Lillard -- his free throw shooting shows that he’s just as dangerous inside the arc as well. Whether it's a late-game free throw or a big moment in the playoffs, Lillard knows how to step up and deliver. He’s proven time and time again that he can sink free throws when the game is on the line.

Peja Stojakovic

Peja Stojakovic might not have been the flashiest name. However, when it came to free-throw shooting, he was as solid as they come. Stojackovic shot 89.5% from the line for his career. And in an era full of superstars, his consistency earned him a spot as one of the most dependable players at the foul line.

Known for his smooth shooting form, Stojakovic had no problem stepping up to the line in pressure-packed situations. Whether it was a key free throw late in a game, or just a routine trip to the stripe, Stojackovic was as reliable as can be.

Chauncey Billups

Last, we’ve got 'Mr. Big Shot' himself, Chauncey Billups. Now, Billups might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of free-throw shooters, but don’t sleep on him. He shot 89.4% from the line for his career. 

And when you hear 'Mr. Big Shot,' it's clear he wasn’t just about draining shots from the floor. Billups was as cold as they come and had ice in his veins from the free-throw line. Whether it was a regular-season game or a do-or-die playoff moment, Billups was one of the most reliable at the charity stripe. His calm, cool, collected demeanor helped him become one of the most clutch players in NBA history - and his free-throw shooting was a huge part of that.

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