A Complete List of All NBA 3 Point Contest Participants Through the Years

As I sit here reflecting on the evolution of basketball, I can't help but marvel at how the three-point shot has completely transformed the game we love. It's fascinating to think that what started as an experimental gimmick in 1979 has become the centerpiece of modern offensive strategies. The NBA Three-Point Contest, introduced in 1986, has become this beautiful showcase of shooting artistry that I eagerly anticipate every All-Star weekend. I remember watching Larry Bird dominate the early years with that legendary confidence - his "who's coming in second?" quip remains one of my favorite sports moments of all time.

Looking through the complete list of participants across different eras reveals such an interesting narrative about how the game has evolved. From the pioneering days when only a handful of players dared to specialize in long-range shooting to the current era where it seems every team has multiple elite shooters, the contest participants tell this incredible story of basketball's revolution. What strikes me most is how the contest has mirrored the game's strategic shifts - early participants like Craig Hodges and Dale Ellis were considered specialists, almost novelty acts, while today's participants are often franchise cornerstones. I've always had a soft spot for the underdog stories in this competition - remember when Joe Harris, not exactly a household name, beat Steph Curry in 2019? That's the magic of this event.

The connection to the "Thrilla in Manila" reference might not be immediately obvious, but hear me out. Just as that legendary fight represented a pivotal moment in boxing history, featuring warriors who pushed through unimaginable physical limits, the Three-Point Contest has its own legacy of competitors who've redefined what's possible in basketball. Fifty years later, we still discuss the Thrilla with reverence because it represented more than just a fight - it was about human endurance and skill pushed to absolute limits. Similarly, when I look at names like Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, and more recently, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, I see shooters who've expanded our understanding of shooting range and consistency. They've become central figures in basketball's evolution, much like those fighters remain central to boxing's history.

What many casual fans might not realize is how much the contest format has changed while maintaining its core identity. The money ball racks, the special shooting locations, the extended time - these adjustments have kept the competition fresh while honoring its traditions. I particularly love how the NBA introduced the "MTN DEW Zone" with those green balls worth three points - it adds this wonderful strategic layer that separates the truly great shooters from the good ones. My personal opinion? The current format is nearly perfect, though I wouldn't mind seeing them experiment with even deeper shots to really challenge these incredible athletes.

The statistics behind the contest participants reveal some fascinating patterns. Did you know that only seven players have won the competition multiple times? Larry Bird three-peated from 1986-1988, Craig Hodges had his own three-peat from 1990-1992, and Mark Price, Jeff Hornacek, Peja Stojakovic, Jason Kapono, and Steph Curry have all won twice. What's remarkable to me is how Curry's wins came six years apart, showing his incredible longevity as an elite shooter. The participant list reads like a who's who of basketball greatness - from early pioneers to modern marvels, each name represents a chapter in the three-point revolution.

I've always been particularly drawn to the international participants who've left their mark on this most American of competitions. Players like Dirk Nowitzki, Peja Stojakovic, and more recently, Buddy Hield and Karl-Anthony Towns demonstrate how the three-point shot has become a universal language in basketball. There's something beautiful about seeing players from different backgrounds and basketball cultures competing in this pure test of shooting skill. It reminds me that while the game evolves, the fundamental joy of watching a perfectly arched shot swish through the net transcends borders and generations.

As we look toward the future of the Three-Point Contest, I can't help but wonder how much further shooting excellence can be pushed. The participants list continues to grow more impressive each year, with younger players demonstrating range and accuracy that would have been unimaginable even a decade ago. The contest has become this wonderful tradition that bridges basketball's past, present, and future - much like how the stories from the Thrilla in Manila continue to inspire new generations of fighters. Both represent pinnacles of human achievement in their respective sports, moments where skill, determination, and history converge to create something truly memorable. The complete list of Three-Point Contest participants isn't just names on a page - it's a living document of basketball's ongoing revolution, and I feel privileged to have witnessed so much of its evolution.