Editor’s note: An asterisk (*) denotes a year the player was champion.

22) Dana Barros (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996)

The “Human Dynamo” was no doubt one of the best long range shooters of his era, even leading the league in three-point field goal percentage in ’91-’92, but came up short in all four of his Three-Point Contest appearances. Barros came closest in 1994, his breakout season with the 76ers, when he reached the final round and lost to Mark Price. He also reached the semifinals in 1993 and was knocked out in the first round in 1995 and 1996 (the latter in a tiebreaker). Despite standing just 5’11”, Barros lasted 14 seasons with the Sonics, Sixers, Celtics, and Pistons, made over 1,000 three-point field goals in his career, and was a surprise All-Star participant in 1995.

21) Quentin Richardson (2002, 2005*, 2006)

Part of a brash, young core that tried and failed to revive the Clippers franchise in the early ’00s, Richardson never panned out to his full potential as a player due in large part to injuries. But he did occasionally find his niche as a long distance gunner, most notably in ’05-’06, when he led the NBA in three-point field goals in his one-and-only season with the Suns. He also pulled off an upset in that year’s Three-Point Contest, taking down legendary shooters Ray Allen and Kyle Korver, plus defending champion Voshon Lenard. Richardson barely survived past the first round then came alive in the finals, hitting his final nine shots to just edge out Korver in a thrilling finish. He returned to defend his title in 2006, this time as a member of the Knicks, but was knocked out meekly in the first round.

20) Reggie Miller (1989, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1998)

Synonymous with the three-pointer itself, Miller held the record for career three-point field goals for over a decade and still sits third on the leaderboard but never won the shot’s signature event. It’s not that he didn’t try, competing five times and making the final round twice, both records for a player without a victory. Miller’s first attempt came in 1989, in the midst of his second NBA season, when he reached the semifinals but finished fourth. In 1990 he reached the final and came up just short against Craig Hodges but did participate in his first All-Star Game the next night. 1995 was Miller’s other final round appearance and the closest he came to a title, finishing just one point behind Glen Rice. The Pacers star made one last go of it in 1998, just a couple months after surpassing Dale Ellis’ career three-point field goal record, but finished dead last behind also-rans like Tracy Murray and Sam Mack. He is the highest rated player on our list who never actually won the title.

19) Glen Rice (1991, 1995*, 1996, 1997, 1998)

One of the best pure long range shooters in NBA history, Rice became a mainstay in both the All-Star Game itself and the Three-Point Contest in the late ’90s. Then playing in what would be his final season with the Heat in 1995, Rice just held off Reggie Miller in the Three-Point Contest final. He actually barely survived the first round that year, advancing with a score of just 14. Rice made his All-Star debut and first of three consecutive appearances in 1996 but struggled to defend his Three-Point Contest title, finishing tied for last. He made it back to the semifinals in 1997 but got knocked out in the first round again in 1998, ending his Three-Point Contest career.

18) Steve Kerr (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997*)

Befitting the coach of the greatest three-point shooter in NBA history, Kerr was a long range marksman himself. He finished in the top five in the league in three-point field goal percentage six times, including as the leader in ’89-’90 and ’94-’95 (when he set the all-time record at 52.4%), and participated in four consecutive Three-Point Contests. After semifinal finishes in 1994 and 1996, and a first round exit in 1995, Kerr broke through and won it in his fourth and final try in 1997. He started slow that year, just barely surviving the first round with a score of 15 but then broke out with a 21 in the semifinals and a 22 in the final to hold off defending champion Tim Legler. A few months later, Kerr hit the biggest shot of his career, a jumper late in game six of the NBA Finals that put the Bulls ahead for good and on their way to a championship. 

17) Paul Pierce (2002, 2010*, 2011)

Not necessarily renowned as a distance shooter, Pierce did fire a lot of them early in his career in the high octane Jim O’Brien offense. In fact, he finished third in the NBA in three-point field goals in ’01-’02, when he also made his All-Star Game and Three-Point Contest debuts. A last place finish disillusioned the Celtics star so much that he took eight years to make a return that was well worth the wait. Though a then rookie Stephen Curry was the big draw in 2010, it was the 32-year-old Pierce, on the eve of his eighth All-Star appearance, who came away with the title. He attempted to defend that championship in 2011 but Pierce and his Celtics teammate Ray Allen were knocked out in the final round by Miami’s James Jones.

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16) Voshon Lenard (2004*, 2005)
15) James Jones (2011*, 2012)
14) Tim Legler (1996*, 1997)

They may not get the hype or buzz of a Dee Brown or Isaiah Rider in the Slam Dunk Contest, but the Three-Point Contest has created its own brief stars out of otherwise undistinguished players. For Legler, Lenard, and Jones, the pathway was quite similar: Enter the contest as a ringer specialist, win it, then return to defend your crown. Legler was un-drafted in 1988 and bounced around the CBA, USBL, and end of NBA benches before finally breaking through in the Bullets lineup in ’95-’96. He led the NBA in three-point field goal percentage that season and won the Three-Point Contest in dominating fashion, scoring a 23 in the first round, a 22 in the semifinals, and a 20 in the final to hold off Dennis Scott. Legler made it back to the final in 1997 but came up just short against Steve Kerr. Lenard also rose up from a CBA background to rotation spots with the Heat and Nuggets. He was a surprise winner of the 2004 Three-Point Contest, taking down two-time defending champion Peja Stojakovic, whose miss on his final shot of the final round was the difference maker. Despite missing almost the entire ’04-’05 season due to an Achilles injury, Lenard did show up to defend his title and returned to the final round, where he was edged out by Quentin Richardson. As for Jones, he was having a career revival in ’10-’11 backing up the newly signed LeBron James and would soon after earn back-to-back NBA titles. He added a Three-Point Contest championship in 2011, upsetting Celtics legends Ray Allen and Paul Pierce in the final round. Jones made it back to the finals in 2012 but couldn’t get it done again, losing out that time to Kevin Love. One more thing Legler, Lenard, and Jones all have in common: they’re three of the five players in Three-Point Contest history to make multiple appearances and reach the final round each time.

13) Jeff Hornacek (1992, 1998*, 2000*)

Six years transpired between Hornacek’s Three-Point Contest debut and his return. Upon review of his original performance, who could blame him? One night before making his All-Star Game debut with the Suns, Hornacek put on an embarrassing last place performance with just seven points. It was actually almost even worse, as he entered the final rack with just three points, but managed to hit his last three shots to bump up to seven. But that eventual return was a glorious one, with Hornacek beating out Hubert Davis for the title. Granted, it was one of the weakest championship performances in the contest’s history as Hornacek, at that point late in his career with the Jazz, finished with just 17 points in the first round, 15 points in the semifinals, and then 16 points in the final. He did repeat as champion in 2000 (the 1999 edition was cancelled due to the lockout) in what was arguably the worst Three-Point Contest in history, winning the final with just 13 points as his competitors, Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce, both went ice cold. Due to his retirement after the ’99-’00 season, Hornacek did not return to go for the three-peat.

12) Kyrie Irving (2013*, 2014, 2015, 2017)

If there was ever an All-Star Weekend competition for circus style driving lay-ups, Irving would likely have a trophy case filled to the brim. As it stands, he has to settle for one Three-Point Contest championship, earned in 2013, just his second season in the NBA. One day before making his All-Star Game debut, Irving held off a strong challenge from Spurs gunner Matt Bonner to earn the distance bombing title. With Irving’s winning score of 23 points and Bonner putting up 20, they became just the second pair to both top 20+ points in the final round (it has since been repeated two more times). Following a first round exit in 2014 and a second place finish in 2015, Irving almost captured another Three-Point Contest title in 2017, tying Eric Gordon in the final round and then losing out in an overtime period.

11) Klay Thompson (2015, 2016*, 2017, 2018)

One of the greatest pure shooters in NBA history, Thompson was a natural Three-Point Contest mainstay during his prime, participating in four straight seasons. In the first two, he faced off against his Warriors teammate and fellow “Splash Brother” Stephen Curry, and neither sharpshooter disappointed. Thompson led after the first round in 2015 but struggled in the finals while Curry shot his way to victory. In the 2016 re-match, Thompson led all scorers in both rounds and his 27 points in the final tied Curry’s 2015 performance for the highest score of all time (this is when it’s worth noting that the “all money ball rack” was added in 2014, increasing the highest possible score from 30 to 34. But even without those additional points, Thompson would have scored 23 in the 2016 final, which would still be the fifth highest total in the contest’s history). Though Curry didn’t return in 2017, Thompson couldn’t defend his title and was knocked out in the opening round. He did make it back to the final round in 2018 but was outdone by an all-timer performance from Devin Booker.

10) Devin Booker (2016, 2018*, 2019, 2020)

The 2018 Three-Point Contest was expected to be a showdown between Klay Thompson and defending champion Eric Gordon but instead Booker stole the show with a record setting performance. His 28 points in the final round set the all-time mark, and even if adjusted to take into account his extra “money balls,” Booker is still tied for the highest score of all time in a single round with contest legends Craig Hodges and Jason Kapono. Booker hit 20 out of a possible 25 shots and ended up needing almost all of it, just holding off Thompson for the title. Despite posting a score of 23 in the first round in 2019, Booker was knocked out trying to defend his title. He bounced back to reach the final round again in 2020 (he also previously made it to the finals in 2016, finishing third) and finished second behind Buddy Hield by just one point. Whenever the Three-Point Contest returns, Booker will hopefully came back with it to attempt to further secure his legacy.

9) Dale Ellis (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989*, 1994, 1997, 1998)

No one shot more three-pointers in the ’80s than Ellis, and no one made more. He hit 472 during the decade, while gaining a reputation as an unrepentant gunner. Once the Three-Point Contest started with the 1986 All-Star Weekend in Dallas, the hometown Ellis (then playing in his final season with the Mavericks) was a perfect fit. He finished third in the contest, his first of seven appearances, including the first four ever contested. Ellis eventually became the first player not named Larry Bird to be crowned as the Three-Point Contest champion, earning it in 1989, the same year he made his one and only All-Star Game appearance. Following a five year absence, he became a pillar of the contest again in the mid-to-late ’90s, even making it to the semifinal round in 1998 at age 37. Ellis’ seven overall appearances are second all-time behind only Craig Hodges and he held the record for oldest competitor for over two decades until Dirk Nowitzki broke it.

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8) Ray Allen (2000, 2001*, 2002, 2005, 2006)

With a mechanically perfect jump shot seemingly tailor made to a competition like this, Allen was an unsurprising yearly challenger in the Three-Point Contest throughout the early ’00s but he did win it only once. That victory came in 2001 when he was starring for the Bucks, and shot his way past Peja Stojakovic in the final round for the title. Allen otherwise struggled in the competition, placing just 10 points on the board in the 2000 final round, then getting knocked out in round one in his 2002 title defense and in 2005. He did make it back to the finals in 2006 but lost out to Dirk Nowitzki by a smattering of points. A disappointing body of work perhaps for the all-time career three-point king but still an impressive one empirically.

7) Mark Price (1988, 1990, 1993*, 1994*)

Things got off to a slow start for Price in his Three-Point Contest career. He finished a distance sixth place in 1988 and then seventh in 1990, only avoiding last place because Michael Jordan put up an all-time bad performance. When Price returned to the contest in 1993, he had secured his spot as one of the best point guards in the league and was ready to leave his mark on All-Star Weekend history. Price dethroned three-time defending champion Craig Hodges with an impressive 21 point performance in the semifinal, then edged out Terry Porter in the final round. He then successfully defended his crown in 1994, taking down a stacked field that included Dale Ellis, Steve Kerr, Dana Barros, Mitch Richmond, and Dell Curry. Price annihilated Barros in the final round in 1994 with a score of 24 points, which snapped Larry Bird’s previous record of 22 for most points in a final. Unfortunately, Price was unable to go for the three-peat in 1995 due to a wrist injury and never returned to the contest.

6) Stephen Curry (2010, 2013, 2014, 2015*, 2016, 2019)

If you could pick one human being from the last 20 years to defeat aliens in a three-point contest in a Space Jam-esque scenario, it would be Curry, right? Yes, and it’s therefore surprising he has just one Three-Point Contest title to his name. The Warriors superstar has participated six times and reached the final in four of those, but claimed the title only in 2015. As expected, he did so in record breaking fashion, becoming the first player to score 27 or more points in a single round, which was largely aided by the recent addition of the “all money ball” rack. Curry beat out his “Splash Brothers” teammate Klay Thompson in the 2015 final but then lost the re-match in 2016, finishing in second. Prior to that, he also finished second in his rookie season, 2010, then was knocked out in the first round in 2013 and 2014. Inspired by the participation of his younger brother, Seth, the elder Curry came back in 2019 and almost won a second title but was just edged out in the final round by Joe Harris. Seemingly every regular season and postseason three-pointer record seems within Curry’s reach, but a second Three-Point Contest title is likely ever elusive at this point.

5) Dirk Nowitzki (2000, 2001, 2006*, 2007, 2008, 2019)

Two Nowitzki Three-Point Contest superlatives of note: at 7’0″, he’s not only the tallest player ever to win, he’s the tallest ever to participate, and his 11 year gap between 2008 and 2019 appearances is by far the longest in the contest’s history. Once a regular in the yearly contest, Nowitzki took a decade off before returning in 2019 in his swan song season, a capping denouement for one of the league’s all-time greatest long range bombers. Though the German sharpshooter reached the final round in his first two appearances, he struggled in those efforts, scoring just 11 in the 2000 finals and 10 in 2001. He barely survived the first round in his return in 2006 but then pushed past Gilbert Arenas and Ray Allen to earn the title. True to his nature, Nowitzki reached the final round again in 2007 and 2008 and again fell apart, including a nine-spot in the former, 15 whole points behind the champion Jason Kapono. His five appearances in a final round ties him with Craig Hodges for the all-time record.

4) Peja Stojakovic (2001, 2002*, 2003*, 2004)

In a four-year run that can only be matched by Craig Hodges in the early ’90s, Stojakovic took the Three-Point Contest by storm, starting in 2001. Though he was already in his third NBA season with the Kings at that point, Stojakovic was only 23 when he took the court for the 2001 All-Star Saturday Night. He matched eventual champion Ray Allen almost shot-for-shot but finished in second place by just a couple points. He broke through with a tight victory in 2002, defeating Wesley Person in an overtime shoot-off in the final round to become the first Sacramento King and first foreign-born player to earn the Three-Point Contest trophy. Stojakovic then defended his title successfully in 2003, once again in an overtime showdown in the final round against Person. He almost came up with a three-peat in 2004 but lost by two points in the final round to Voshon Lenard. Now an assistant general manager for the Kings, Stojakovic watched proudly in 2020 when Buddy Hield joined him on the list of Kings winners.

3) Jason Kapono (2007*, 2008*, 2009)

Not much of a passer, ball handler, or defender, and lacking elite athleticism and basketball IQ, Kapono did have one tangible asset: He was an incredible three-point shooter. Drafted by the Cavaliers in 2003, he was unfortunately a little ahead of his time with his skill set and averaged just 6.7 points per game over nine NBA seasons. But when it came down to just pure shooting, he proved himself as one of the all-time greats over a span of three consecutive Three-Point Contests. It started in 2007, when Kapono was having a career best season for the Heat. He just skated through the first round but then dominated in the finals, tying Mark Price’s record for best final round score with 24 to take home the title. One year later, Kapono broke his own record, putting up 25 to crush Daniel Gibson and Dirk Nowitzki in the finals. That mark ties him with Craig Hodges and Devin Booker for the best in contest history, let alone in a final round. Kapono went for the trifecta in 2009 but fell back to earth, scoring just 14 in the final round which was still almost good enough to pull it off. He hung around with the 76ers and Lakers for three more seasons but never participated in the Three-Point Contest again.

2) Larry Bird (1986*, 1987*, 1988*, 1990)

Ahead of the inaugural All-Star Three-Point Contest in Dallas in 1986, Bird supposedly entered the locker room, surveilled his competition, and boasted “who’s coming in second today?” It proved prophetic, as the ever competitive Celtics superstar won that night, in his first of three consecutive titles. His first victory was dominant, defeating Craig Hodges 22-12 in the final round, as Bird’s serious height advantage (he barely had to leap off the ground) played a factor in his stamina edge. The 1987 and 1988 title defenses were much tougher as Bird, donning his signature warm-up jacket as if to signal to his opponents how easy this truly was for him, edged out Detlef Schrempf and Dale Ellis, respectively, in tight affairs. A fourth straight title in 1989 was likely a sure thing but Bird missed the majority of that season with a back injury. He returned for the 1990 contest but struggled, getting eliminated in the first round and then had to pull out of the 1992 edition late due to his back issues. Though he’s not #1 on this list and his career three-point stats pale in comparison to some of the newer stars, Bird is almost assuredly the man you’d pick in an all-time Three-Point Contest, thanks to his combination of height, mechanics, competitiveness, savvy, and intimidation.

1) Craig Hodges (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990*, 1991*, 1992*, 1993)

No one has competed more times, won more times (though Larry Bird is tied with him), reached the final round more times, no hit more baskets in a single round, or consecutive baskets, or score 20+ points more times, than Hodges. Though he was never more of a role player in 10 seasons with the Clippers, Bucks, Suns, and Bulls, averaging a career high 10.8 points per game in ’85-’86, Hodges was the ultimate star when it came to the Three-Point Contest. He participated in each of the first eight editions, including the inaugural one in 1986, when he became the first player to top 20 in a round and finished second behind Bird. He was unceremoniously knocked out of the first round in 1987 and 1988 before returning to the final round in 1989 and finishing a close second behind Dale Ellis. Hodges then went on a run of three consecutive titles, including a dominant performance in 1991 (his 24 semifinals points were 10 ahead of the next competitor). Though he was playing in Italy during the ’92-’93 season (possibly due to being black balled from the NBA due to his political beliefs), Hodges was allowed to participate one final time, donning a generic “NBA” jersey and coming up just short of reaching the final round. While the Three-Point Contest was his ultimate domain, Hodges did have some accolades in the regular season too, leading the NBA in three-point field goal percentage twice, and winning back-to-back titles with the Bulls in 1991 and 1992.