Discover the Complete List of NBA 3 Point Champions and Their Record-Breaking Performances

As I sit here watching the latest NBA playoff game, I can't help but marvel at how dramatically the three-point shot has transformed basketball. Having followed the league since the late 90s, I've witnessed this evolution firsthand - from when teams barely attempted 10 threes per game to today's analytics-driven era where 40+ attempts have become routine. The three-point contest during All-Star weekend has consistently been my favorite event, showcasing the purest shooting talent in the world. What fascinates me most isn't just the winners, but the stories behind their record-breaking performances that have shaped basketball history.

Let me take you back to 1986 when Larry Bird won the inaugural contest, famously walking into the locker room and asking his competitors "who's finishing second?" That legendary confidence defined the early years of the competition. Bird's three consecutive wins from 1986-1988 set a standard that wouldn't be matched for decades. The 90s brought us Craig Hodges' incredible run and the smooth shooting of Mark Price, but it was really the 2000s that elevated the contest to must-see television. I'll never forget Jason Kapono's near-perfect rounds in 2008, when he scored 25 points in the final round - a record that stood for thirteen long years until Stephen Curry's magical 2021 performance. Curry's 31-point final round wasn't just winning; it was a statement about how far shooting had evolved.

The statistical progression tells its own compelling story. When I compare the early winning scores typically in the high teens to today's regular 25+ point performances, the improvement in shooting precision is staggering. The 2023 contest between Damian Lillard and Buddy Hield came down to the final shot, with Lillard securing his first title after years of near-misses. That moment reminded me why I love this competition - it's not just about perfect form, but about perseverance. The current record holders represent different eras of shooting excellence. Stephen Curry holds the single-round record with 31 points, while Craig Hodges and Larry Bird share the most consecutive wins at three. What's often overlooked is how these champions influenced team strategies - after Kapono's dominant 2008 win, NBA three-point attempts increased by 15% over the next three seasons.

Looking at Sunday's potential scenarios for the upcoming draft, I can't help but draw parallels to how these shooting champions have approached their craft. Much like the strategic decisions teams face this weekend, each three-point champion had to make split-second calculations about rhythm, arc, and positioning. The great ones like Ray Allen and Klay Thompson didn't just shoot - they engineered their shots with mechanical precision. Personally, I believe Curry's 2021 performance represents the peak of what's possible, though I suspect we'll see someone break 35 points within the next five years as players continue to specialize in long-range shooting from younger ages.

The legacy of these champions extends far beyond trophy ceremonies. They've fundamentally changed how basketball is played at every level, from NBA arenas to local playgrounds. As we anticipate future contests, the question isn't if records will fall, but when and by how much. The three-point line has become basketball's great equalizer, and these champions have written its most compelling chapters through skill, nerve, and countless hours of invisible practice. Their stories continue to inspire the next generation of shooters who will undoubtedly take the art form to places we can barely imagine today.