The shooting guard slot boasts a wealth of elite talent, making it remarkably deep throughout basketball history.
Assessing and ranking the finest shooting guards poses a formidable challenge due to the abundance of exceptional players in the NBA's past.
Diverse eras have embraced varying styles of play, necessitating a careful evaluation of individual accomplishments in relation to team achievements and overall influence on the sport. Nevertheless, certain names consistently emerge in discussions for the top position.
These athletes excelled in the league throughout their careers and stood as highly influential figures in the history of basketball.
Kobe Bryant, the "Black Mamba," was a legend who graced the NBA courts for 20 seasons, all spent with the Los Angeles Lakers.
His relentless work ethic and dedication to the game earned him 5 NBA championships, 2 Finals MVPs, and 18 All-Star selections. His tragic passing in 2020 left a void in the NBA, but his legacy as one of the greatest shooting guards of all time continues to inspire.
Teams: Miami Heat. Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers
Championships: 3 (2006, 2012, 2013)
Career stats: 22 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.5 SPG
Honors
2006 Finals MVP
13x All-Star
2009 NBA scoring champion
Hall of Fame
Dwyane Wade, the "Flash," was a blur on the court, leaving defenders grasping at air with his lightning-fast drives and acrobatic finishes.
A 13-time All-Star and 3-time champion with the Miami Heat, Wade's scoring prowess was undeniable. He won the 2009 scoring title and his 2006 Finals MVP performance against the Dallas Mavericks cemented his legacy as a clutch performer.
Teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies
Career stats: 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 2.2 SPG
Honors
2001 NBA MVP
11x All-Star
4x NBA scoring champion
3x NBA steals leader
Hall of Fame
Allen Iverson, nicknamed "The Answer," was a revolutionary force in the NBA.
Standing at just 6 feet, he dominated the league with his electrifying crossover dribble, fearless scoring, and relentless hustle. Iverson won Rookie of the Year in 1997 and went on to become a four-time scoring champion, an 11-time All-Star, and the 2001 NBA MVP.
The bearded wonder of the NBA, James Harden has carved his name into the league's lore as one of the greatest scorers ever.
His lethal combination of step-back jumpers, crafty Euro steps, and pinpoint passing has earned him an MVP award, multiple scoring titles, and a spot on the prestigious NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Career stats: 27.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.7 APG, .2.6 SPG
Honors
1969 Finals MVP
14x All-Star
1970 scoring champion
1972 assists leader
Hall of Fame
When talking about the most impactful shooting guards in NBA history, it is impossible to ignore Jerry West, "The Logo."
During his 14-season career with the Lakers, West served four seasons as a shooting guard for the team, according to Statmuse. He led the Lakers to nine NBA Finals appearances and secured one championship in 1972.
Clyde Drexler soared through the NBA with gravity-defying dunks and a silky smooth jumpshot.
A 10-time All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Drexler's blend of athleticism and finesse made him a scoring machine, averaging over 20 points per game for his career.
He teamed with Hakeem Olajuwon to take the Houston Rockets to two NBA Finals, cementing his place as one of the game's greatest shooting guards.
Nicknamed "The Iceman" for his smooth moves and clutch shots, George Gervin was a scoring phenomenon who left an indelible mark on the NBA.
In his 14-year career, he racked up four scoring titles, wowed fans with his finger rolls and glass bank shots, and even earned a spot on the league's 50th and 75th anniversary teams.
Reggie Miller, famously nicknamed the "Knick Killer," was a reliable and skilled sharpshooter who dedicated his entire 18-year professional basketball career to the Indiana Pacers.
A five-time All-Star, Miller played a key role in guiding the Pacers to the 2000 NBA Finals. Miller, who retired in 2005, held the NBA record for the most career 3-pointers made at the time, a record later surpassed by Ray Allen, Stephen Curry and James Harden.
Teams: Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat
Championships: 2 (2008, 2013)
Career stats: 18.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.1 SPG
Honors
10x All-Star
Hall of Fame
Ray Allen, the NBA's sharpshooter extraordinaire, drained more three-pointers than any player in history until Stephen Curry surpassed him in 2021.
A ten-time All-Star and two-time champion, Allen's clutch shooting and smooth game made him a fan favorite wherever he played. He is widely regarded as one of the purest shooters the game has ever seen.
Teams: Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks
Career stats: 16.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1 SPG
Honors
8x All-Star
Vince Carter, a high-flying legend known as "Air Canada," soared through the NBA for 22 seasons.
His mesmerizing slam dunks and effortless shooting skills held fans spellbound, securing him 8 All-Star selections and the prestigious Rookie of the Year accolade in 1999.
In the 2022-23 season, Klay Thompson achieved the milestone of making over 300 three-pointers, making him only the third player in NBA history to accomplish this feat, alongside Stephen Curry and James Harden.
Standing tall at 6'6", Klay is a smooth scorer with a silky shooting stroke, raining down threes from seemingly anywhere on the court.
Teams: Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs
Career stats: 19.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.2 SPG
Honors
7x All-Star
2x NBA scoring champion
Hall of Fame
Tracy McGrady, nicknamed "T-Mac," was a scoring machine who dominated the early 2000s in the NBA.
Standing at 6-foot-8 with a smooth shooting stroke and athleticism, McGrady won two scoring titles in 2003 and 2004, made seven All-Star appearances, and even carried the Houston Rockets to the Finals.
Career stats: 17.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, .456 FG%
Honors
5x All-Star
Hall of Fame
Sam Jones, the smooth-shooting Celtics legend, was a pivotal figure in Boston's dynasty during the 1960s. Nicknamed "Mr. Clutch" for his ice-cold veins in the playoffs, Jones racked up 10 NBA championships alongside Bill Russell.
Jones was a 5-time All-Star and a 3-time All-NBA Second Team selection, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.
Teams: Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (1958-1973)
Championships: 1 (1967)
Career stats: 19.2 PPG, 5 RPG, 4 APG, .452 FG%
Honors
10x All-Star
Hall of Fame
In the 1960s, Hal Greer, often overlooked but highly skilled, earned All-Star honors 10 times and secured a spot on the All-NBA 2nd Team seven times.
He played a crucial role in guiding the Philadelphia 76ers to a championship in the 1966-67 season, forming an underrated guard-big duo with Chamberlain that remains underappreciated in the annals of league history.
