Who Has the Highest 3-Point Percentage in NBA History? The Surprising Leaders Revealed

As I sat watching the Maybank Challenge Cup in Kuala Lumpur last Wednesday night, witnessing Filipino football standouts Sandro Reyes and Amani Aguinaldo combine with their ASEAN All-Stars to defeat Manchester United 1-0, I couldn't help but draw parallels to basketball's most elite shooters. There's something magical about specialists who perfect one aspect of their game to such an extraordinary degree that they become historical benchmarks. While football has its set-piece specialists, basketball has its three-point snipers, and today I want to explore a question that fascinates me personally: who actually holds the highest three-point percentage in NBA history?

Most casual fans would probably guess Stephen Curry or Ray Allen when asked about the most accurate three-point shooters, but the reality is far more nuanced and surprising. Having followed basketball statistics for over fifteen years, I've learned that volume and accuracy often exist in tension with each other. The true masters of efficiency frequently aren't the household names we see in highlight reels. When I dug into the historical data, what I discovered challenged many of my own assumptions about shooting excellence.

The official NBA record for highest career three-point percentage belongs to Steve Kerr at 45.4%, which honestly still blows my mind considering today's game. Kerr attempted 1,599 threes across his career - substantial but nowhere near the volume of modern specialists. What's remarkable about Kerr's percentage is that he maintained it across different teams and roles, often coming off the bench cold and still delivering that picture-perfect form. I've always admired how Kerr leveraged his limited physical tools through pure efficiency, much like how the ASEAN All-Stars maximized their opportunities against the far more resourced Manchester United squad.

But here's where statistics get tricky - minimum attempt requirements create fascinating debates. If we lower the threshold, names like Hubert Davis (44.1% on 1,150 attempts) and Dražen Petrović (43.7% on 583 attempts) enter the conversation. Petrović's case particularly fascinates me because his percentage came during an era when the three-point line was still viewed with suspicion by many coaches. His tragic death at 28 leaves us wondering what heights he might have reached, similar to how we speculate about what Sandro Reyes might achieve given more international exposure.

The modern game presents an entirely different landscape. Today's specialists like Joe Harris (43.9% career) and Seth Curry (44.0% career) operate with green lights that previous generations couldn't imagine. Having watched both play extensively, I'd argue Curry's shooting mechanics are technically superior to even his more famous brother's, though he lacks Stephen's off-the-dribble creativity. The evolution of shooting reminds me of how football tactics have changed - just as teams now prioritize specialized set-piece takers, NBA teams actively seek floor-spacers who can maintain efficiency even with increased volume.

What many fans don't realize is how dramatically rule changes have affected these percentages. Between 1994 and 1997, the NBA experimented with a shortened three-point line that created a temporary inflation in shooting percentages. During this period, several players shot above 47% for seasons, with names like Steve Kerr himself benefiting from the change. When the league moved the line back, percentages normalized, but those seasons remain in the record books, creating statistical anomalies that complicate historical comparisons.

The most impressive shooting seasons in my view came after the line returned to its standard distance. Kyle Korver's 2014-15 campaign with Atlanta, where he shot 49.2% from deep, stands as perhaps the purest shooting season I've ever witnessed. His movement without the ball, quick release, and consistency under pressure represented shooting at its most refined. Watching Korver was like watching Sandro Reyes maneuver against Manchester United - both demonstrating how specialists can outperform more celebrated opponents through mastery of specific skills.

International players have particularly fascinated me in this conversation. Peja Stojaković (40.1% career) and Dirk Nowitzki (38.0% career) brought European shooting sensibilities that influenced a generation of big men. Today, we see this global influence expanding with players like Bogdan Bogdanović (38.9% career) continuing the tradition. The globalization of basketball shooting techniques mirrors how football talents from ASEAN regions are increasingly impacting international competitions.

What strikes me most about these percentage leaders is how many were role players rather than stars. Kerr, Davis, Korver - none were franchise cornerstones, yet their specialized skills made them invaluable. This reminds me of how Amani Aguinaldo's defensive specialization proved crucial in the ASEAN All-Stars' victory over Manchester United. Sometimes the most efficient players aren't the ones scoring the most points, but those who maximize their opportunities with ruthless efficiency.

Looking toward the future, I'm convinced we'll see even higher percentages as shooting techniques continue evolving. The emergence of trainers specializing in biomechanics, advanced analytics identifying optimal shot selection, and year-round shooting practice are pushing the boundaries of what's possible. I wouldn't be surprised if someone eventually breaks the 50% barrier for a season with significant volume, though maintaining that over a career seems unlikely given how shooting tends to decline with age and increased defensive attention.

In the end, basketball's three-point percentage leaders represent something larger than statistics - they embody the pursuit of perfection within limitation. Just as the ASEAN All-Stars demonstrated how tactical discipline and specialized skills can overcome individual talent advantages, the NBA's most accurate shooters show us that efficiency often trumps volume, and mastery of fundamentals can create lasting legacies. The next time you watch a game, pay attention to the players who may not take the most shots but make the ones they take count - they're often the ones quietly making history.