Free throw (FT) percentage is an important statistic in basketball, and the NBA has seen some incredible shooters over the years. From players like Steph Curry and Ray Allen, who are known for their three-pointers, to big men like Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard, who are more known for their dunks and rebounds, there have been plenty of players who have excelled at the charity stripe. But who has the highest free throw percentage in NBA history?
The Highest Free Throw Percentage in NBA History
The answer is Steve Nash, who finished his career with a free throw percentage of 90.4%. Nash played for 18 seasons in the NBA, primarily with the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks, and was an eight-time All-Star and two-time MVP. He was also a fantastic free throw shooter, finishing his career with 3,060 makes out of 3,380 attempts.
Nash’s free throw percentage is especially impressive when you consider that he was a point guard, and not a traditional shooter. To put Nash’s percentage in perspective, consider that the average free throw percentage for NBA players is around 75%. There have been plenty of great free throw shooters in NBA history, including Mark Price, Rick Barry, and Calvin Murphy, all of whom finished their careers with percentages above 90%. However, Nash’s mark of 90.4% is the highest in NBA history among players with at least 1,200 free throw attempts.
It’s worth noting that Nash wasn’t just a great free throw shooter; he was an incredibly efficient scorer overall. He finished his career with a shooting percentage of 49%, including 43% from three-point range, and averaged 14.3 points per game.
In conclusion, Steve Nash is the NBA’s all-time leader in free throw percentage, with a career mark of 90.4%. His accuracy from the charity stripe was just one of the many skills that made him an all-time great point guard, and his mark is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the game.