NBA 3 Point Contest Participants: Complete List of All-Star Shooters Through the Years

I still remember the first time I watched the NBA Three-Point Contest live back in 1998 - the tension was absolutely electric as those sharpshooters lined up behind the arc. Having followed basketball religiously for over two decades now, I've come to appreciate how this competition has evolved into one of the most anticipated events of All-Star Weekend. Much like how the "Thrilla in Manila" remains etched in boxing history fifty years later, certain three-point contest moments have become legendary in their own right, creating stories that basketball fans like myself continue to recount with genuine excitement.

The three-point contest has undergone remarkable transformations since its inception in 1986. Larry Bird, that iconic Celtics forward with unparalleled confidence, won the first three competitions with what I consider the most memorable trash-talking line in sports history: "Who's coming in second?" His swagger set the tone for what would become a showcase of basketball's purest shooters. Over the years, we've witnessed 35 different champions, with only three players managing to win back-to-back titles - Craig Hodges, Jason Kapono, and more recently, Stephen Curry. The contest format itself has changed significantly - from the original five racks of five balls each to the current setup that includes two "money balls" worth two points and a special "Mountain Dew" zone shot worth three points. These changes have, in my view, dramatically improved the competition's excitement and strategic depth.

What fascinates me most is how the contest reflects the NBA's evolving playing style. When I look at early participants like Dale Ellis and Detlef Schrempf, they were considered specialists in an era dominated by post play. Today, three-point shooting has become fundamental, with contest participants often being team cornerstones rather than role players. The data speaks volumes - in 1986, NBA teams averaged 3.0 three-point attempts per game. Last season? That number skyrocketed to 34.6 attempts. This statistical explosion explains why the three-point contest has gained such prominence within All-Star Weekend. The 2018 contest featuring Devin Booker's dramatic 28-point final round remains particularly vivid in my memory - it demonstrated how the competition continues to produce unforgettable moments that rival the drama of regular season games.

The complete list of participants reads like a who's who of shooting excellence. From Reggie Miller's smooth release to Ray Allen's textbook form, each era has produced its distinctive marksmen. Personally, I've always had a soft spot for the underdog stories - like when Joe Harris, relatively unknown to casual fans, defeated Stephen Curry in 2019. That's what makes this competition so compelling - on any given night, preparation and nerve can overcome reputation. The international participants have particularly enriched the contest in recent years. Watching Dirk Nowitzki, a seven-footer from Germany, compete in 2006 expanded my understanding of what's possible for big men, while the recent success of players like Buddy Hield from the Bahamas demonstrates basketball's global reach.

Having attended three All-Star Weekends in person, I can attest that the atmosphere during the three-point contest is uniquely intense. Unlike the dunk contest which thrives on explosive moments, the three-point competition builds tension gradually - each shot rack creates its own mini-narrative, with misses and makes accumulating into a compelling overall story. The silence before each shooter's final money ball rack is, in my experience, more dramatic than any last-second game situation. This year's introduction of the "Starry" ball racks has added another layer of visual appeal, though I must admit I sometimes miss the simplicity of the earlier setups.

As we look toward future competitions, I'm particularly excited about the new generation of shooters. Players like Tyrese Haliburton and Desmond Bane represent what I call the "evolutionary shooter" - they don't just stand still but incorporate movement shooting into their repertoire. The league is considering format changes that would better reflect in-game shooting scenarios, which I believe would make the competition even more relevant to actual NBA gameplay. The three-point contest has come a long way from being a sideshow to becoming a centerpiece of All-Star Saturday Night, much like how the "Thrilla in Manila" transcended boxing to become part of sports folklore. Both represent pinnacle moments in their respective sports that continue to resonate decades later.

What continues to amaze me after all these years is how this simple concept - shooting baskets from beyond the arc - has maintained its appeal across generations. The fundamental beauty of watching someone like Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson in their rhythm reminds me why I fell in love with basketball in the first place. These shooters aren't just participants in a contest; they're artists perfecting their craft, and we're privileged to witness their mastery. The three-point contest, much like the enduring stories from legendary bouts like the "Thrilla in Manila," creates moments that become permanent fixtures in sports history, connecting generations of fans through shared appreciation of excellence.