The NBA Three-Point Contest is an annual event held during the NBA All-Star Weekend, showcasing the sharpshooting skills of some of the leagues best shooters, but of those best, who are the most successful ones? And who has won it?
Participants compete against each other to make the most three-point shots from various locations around the three-point arc within a specific time limit. The contest typically consists of multiple rounds, with shooters advancing based on their scores in each round.
Throughout its history, the Three-Point Contest has featured legendary shooters such as Larry Bird, Craig Hodges, and Stephen Curry, among others, demonstrating their precision and consistency from beyond the arc.
The contest has evolved over time, with changes to rules, formats, and scoring, but it remains a highly anticipated and entertaining part of the All-Star Weekend festivities.
Fans eagerly watch as players showcase their shooting prowess, providing thrilling moments and memorable performances year after year.
Here is a list of everyone who has won the contest since its inception in 1986:
History of NBA 3-Point Contest Winners
During his NBA career, Larry Bird was a lethal 3-point shooter, twice leading the league in made 3-pointers. That the future Hall of Famer enjoyed participating in the 3-Point Contest is therefore not surprising.
He began with a run of three consecutive years winning the competition when he won the first 3-Point Contest and went on to win the next two as well. After Dale Ellis ended the run in 1989, Craig Hodges went on his own three-game run from 1990 to 1992. Mark Price responded with two consecutive victories of his own.
Year | Winner | Team | All-Star Weekend Location |
1986 | Larry Bird | Celtics | Dallas |
1987 | Larry Bird | Celtics | Seattle |
1988 | Larry Bird | Celtics | Chicago |
1989 | Dale Ellis | Sonics | Houston |
1990 | Craig Hodges | Bulls | Miami |
1991 | Craig Hodges | Bulls | Charlotte |
1992 | Craig Hodges | Bulls | Orlando |
1993 | Mark Price | Cavs | Salt Lake City |
1994 | Mark Price | Cavs | Minnesota |
1995 | Glen Rice | Heat | Phoenix |
1996 | Tim Legler | Wizards | San Antonio |
1997 | Steve Kerr | Bulls | Cleveland |
1998 | Jeff Hornacek | Jazz | New York |
2000 | Jeff Hornacek | Jazz | Oakland |
2001 | Ray Allen | Bucks | Washington, D.C. |
2002 | Peja Stojakovic | Kings | Philadelphia |
2003 | Peja Stojakovic | Kings | Atlanta |
2004 | Voshon Lenard | Nuggets | Los Angeles |
2005 | Quentin Richardson | Suns | Denver |
2006 | Dirk Nowitzki | Mavs | Houston |
2007 | Jason Kapono | Raptors | Las Vegas |
2008 | Jason Kapono | Raptors | New Orleans |
2009 | Daequan Cook | Heat | Phoenix |
2010 | Paul Pierce | Celtics | Dallas |
2011 | James Jones | Heat | Los Angeles |
2012 | Kevin Love | Timberwolves | Orlando |
2013 | Kyrie Irving | Cavaliers | Houston |
2014 | Marco Belinelli | Spurs | New Olreans |
2015 | Stephen Curry | Warriors | New York City |
2016 | Klay Thompson | Warriors | Toronto |
2017 | Eric Gordon | Rockets | New Orleans |
2018 | Devin Booker | Suns | Los Angeles |
2019 | Joe Harris | Nets | Charlotte |
2020 | Buddy Hield | Kings | Chicago |
2021 | Stephen Curry | Warriors | Atlanta |
2022 | Karl-Anthony Towns | Timberwolves | Cleveland |
2023 | Damian Lillard | Trail Blazers | Salt Lake City |
2024 | Damian Lillard | Milwaukee Bucks | Indianapolis |
Famous shooters like Larry Bird, Craig Hodges, and Stephen Curry have participated in the Three-Point Contest throughout its history, showcasing their accuracy and reliability beyond the arc.
The following is a list of all the winners of the competition since its start in 1986:
To make the most three-point shots from different spots around the three-point arc in a set amount of time, competitors compete against one another. Usually, there are several rounds in the competition, and competitors advance according to how well they score in each round.
Every year, players’ shooting prowess creates exhilarating moments and unforgettable performances that fans eagerly watch.
Although the competition’s rules, formats, and scoring have changed over time, it is still a much-anticipated and enjoyable part of All-Star Weekend events.
FAQ
How many 3-point contests did Mark Price win?
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How much do 3-Point Contest winners make?