The 10 Best Shooting Guards of All Time

The shooting guard reflects an entertaining position on the court with their steals, defense, and shots. Indeed, they portray impressive shooting skills.

When it comes to the point of best shooting guards, there are numerous names in the NBA. Indeed, years of hard work get into it for the simplification of their works. 

Well, they are ranked in terms of their points, play hours, and their devotion to the games. As they have their separate area of proficiency, it indeed is hard to rank them altogether.

10 Best Shooting Guards of All Time

10) Tracy McGrady

(Fully named: Tracy Lamar McGrady Jr., Nickname: T-Mac)

Tracy is a retired professional NBA shooting guard who joined the NBA right after his high school days. In the earlier days, he used to play for low minutes; however, his performance enhanced every year. 

At present, he features a point of 18,381 (19.6 PPG), rebounds of 5,276 (5.6 RPG), and assists of 4,161 (4.4 APG). Likewise, Tracy features a shooting percentage of .435.

Back in the 2002-03 season, Tracy won his first scoring title with an average of 32.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. 

Some of his notable achievements and awards to date are highlighted below.

• 7× NBA All-Star (2001–2007)
• 2× All-NBA First Team (2002 & 2003)
• 3× All-NBA Second Team (2001, 2004, & 2007)
• 2× All-NBA Third Team (2005 & 2008)
• 2× NBA scoring champion (2003 & 2004)
• NBA Most Improved Player (2001)
• CBA All-Star (2013)
• Orlando Magic Hall of Fame
• Mr. Basketball USA (1997)
• McDonald’s All-American (1997)
• First-team Parade All-American (1997)

9) Klay Thompson

(Fully named: Klay Alexander Thompson)

Klay is the professional shooting guard for the Golden State Warriors who commenced since college days with the Washington State Cougars. He first started in the 2011 NBA draft, where Golden State drafted him as the 11th overall pick in the first round. 

Alongside his teammate Stephen Curry, he successfully surpassed the three-pointer record and hence, setting a new one. Therefore, they were nicknamed the ‘Splash Brothers.’

Currently, he features an average record of 19.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Additionally, his 3 point percentage is 41.9%. Altogether, he has also bagged three championships. 

Some of the honors he has accumulated to date are as follows.

• 3× NBA champion (2015, 2017 & 2018)
• 5× NBA All-Star (2015–2019)
• 2× All-NBA Third Team (2015 & 2016)
• NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2019)
• NBA Three-Point Contest champion (2016)
• 2012 NBA All-Rookie First Team 
• 2× First-team All-Pac-10 (2010 & 2011)

8) Ray Allen 

(Fully named: Walter Ray Allen Jr., Nickname: Jesus, Sugar, Mr. Basketball)

Allen is a retired professional shooting guard who is quite known for his jump shot. In fact, his jump shot was praised by many, while some even claimed it as God’s gift. 

“God could care less whether I can shoot a jump shot.” -Ray Allen 

Initially, he entered the NBA field in the 1996 NBA Draft as the 5th overall in the first round.

Altogether, he presents the statistical records of 24,505 (18.9 PPG), 5,272 (4.1 RPG), and 4,361 (3.4 APG), making him one of the best shooting guards of all time. 

Some of his notable achievements to date are listed below. 

• 2× NBA champion (2008 & 2013)
• 10× NBA All-Star (2000–2002, 2004–2009 & 2011)
• All-NBA Second Team (2005)
• All-NBA Third Team (2001)
• NBA Sportsmanship Award (2003)
• NBA Three-Point Contest champion (2001)
• 1997 NBA All-Rookie Second Team 
• UPI Player of the Year (1996)
• Consensus first-team All-American (1996)
• Big East Player of the Year (1996)
• 2× First-team All-Big East (1995, 1996)
• 1995 – USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year 
• South Carolina Mr. Basketball (1993)

7) George Gervin 

(Fully named: George Gervin, Nickname: The Iceman)

Back in the 1974 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns drafted George as the 40th overall in the third round. Back in 1996, he also stops as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. 

During his decade-long career, George also starred with the 40th all-time in points scored. Likewise, he is the ninth in the average points per game.

Overall, George depicts his NBA career statistics as 26,595 (25.1 PPG), 5,602 (5.3 RPG), and 2,798 (2.6 APG).

Some of his garnered awards to date are listed below. 

• 9× NBA All-Star (1977–1985)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (1980)
• 5× All-NBA First Team (1978–1982)
• 2× All-NBA Second Team (1977 & 1983)
• 4× NBA scoring champion (1978–1980, & 1982)
• 3× ABA All-Star (1974–1976)
• 2× All-ABA Second Team (1975 & 1976)
• ABA All-Rookie First Team (1973)
• ABA All-Time Team

6) Jerry West 

(Fully named: Jerome Alan West, Nickname: Mr. Clutch, The Logo, Mr. Outside, Zeke from Cabin Crew)

Jerry is the former professional basketball shooting guard who devoted more than a decade to the NBA court. Also, he is well known for his Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.

Not to mention, he is also the co-captain of the 1960 U.S Olympic team that was later inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Apparently, he also has one championship under his name. 

Altogether, West features career statistics of 25,192 (27.0 PPG), 5,366 (5.8 RPG), and 6,238 (6.7 APG). Some of his honors achieved to date are listed below. 

• NBA champion (1972)
• NBA Finals MVP (1969)
• 14× NBA All-Star (1961–1974)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (1972)
• 10× All-NBA First Team (1962–1967 & 1970–1973)
• 2× All-NBA Second Team (1968 & 1969)
• 4× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1970–1973)
• NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1969)
• NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1959)
• 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1959 & 1960)
• 2× SoCon Player of the Year (1959 & 1960)
• Presidential Medal of Freedom (2019)

5) Clyde Drexler

(Fully named: Clyde Austin Drexler, Nickname: Clyde the Glyde) 

Clyde is a former professional shooting guard, often compared with the NBA legend Michael Jordan. During his career, he was popularly known for his exceptional abilities as a finisher.

Additionally, Clyde was an aerobatic dunker and often stood as the leader in the points, assists, and rebounds.

By the end of his career, Clyde stood with the NBA statistics of 22,195 (20.4 PPG), 6,677 (6.1 RPG), and 6,125 (5.6 APG), making him one of the best shooting guards of all time. 

To date, he claimed one championship back in 1995. Some of his awards to date are highlighted below. 

• NBA champion (1995)
• 10× NBA All-Star (1986, 1988–1994, 1996 & 1997)
• All-NBA First Team (1992)
• 2× All-NBA Second Team (1988 & 1991)
• 2× All-NBA Third Team (1990 & 1995)
• Consensus second-team All-American (1983)
• SWC co-Player of the Year (1983)

4) James Harden 

(Fully named: James Edward Harden Jr., Nickname: No D Harden, Step Daddy, The Beard)

One of the top and best shooting guards in the NBA court, James Harden is also one of the best players in the league. Initially, the Oklahoma City Thunder drafted Harden in the 2009 NBA Draft as the third overall pick in the first round. 

At present, Harden is also a two-time member of the United States national team. Likewise, he is also the highest all-time left-handed scorer in NBA history.

As a fun fact, Harden has been leading NBA in free throw attempts since his 2015 season. Altogether, he depicts career stats with an average of 25.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.

Some of his notable achievements to date are as follows.

• NBA Most Valuable Player (2018)
• 9× NBA All-Star (2013–2021)
• 6× All-NBA First Team (2014, 2015 & 2017–2020)
• NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2010)
• Consensus first-team All-American (2009)
• Pac-10 Player of the Year (2009)
• 2× First-team All-Pac-10 (2008 & 2009)
• Second-team Parade All-American (2007)
• McDonald’s All-American (2007)

3) Dwyane Wade

(Fully named: Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr., Nickname: D Wade, Flash)

Wade is a former shooting guard who has devoted sixteen years of his career to the NBA. Not to mention, he is the all-time leader of Miami in points, games, assists, steals, shots made, and shots taken.

In the meantime, Wade is the 29th all-time in either points, assists, or rebounds. Currently, he features the average career stats of 23,165 (22.0 PPG), 4,933 (4.7 RPG), and 5,701 (5.4 APG). 

Furthermore, Wade has earned numerous titles and games alongside the legendary player, LeBron James. Overall, he has collected three championships to date. 

Well, some of his notable achievements are listed as follows. 

• 3× NBA champion (2006, 2012 & 2013)
• NBA Finals MVP (2006)
• 13× NBA All-Star (2005–2016 & 2019)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (2010)
• 3× All-NBA Second Team (2005, 2006 & 2011)
• 2× All-NBA First Team (2009 & 2010)
• 3× All-NBA Third Team (2007, 2012 & 2013)
• 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2005, 2009 & 2010)
• NBA scoring champion (2009)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team (2004)
• Consensus first-team All-American (2003)
• Conference USA Player of the Year (2003)

2) Kobe Bryant 

(Fully named: Kobe Bean Bryant, Nickname: Black Mamba, Izzo, KB8, Employee #8)

Late Kobe Bryant is indeed one of the best NBA players and mainly shooting guards on the court who had starred for two whole decades in the NBA. Ever since his high school days, Kobe was known as one of the best players on the court. 

Additionally, he is still the all-time leading speaker’s Laker’s history. All along with his career, Bryant depicted career stats of 33,643 (25.0 PPG), 7,047 (5.2 RPG), and 6,306 (4.7 APG). 

Overall, Kobe Bryant has claimed five championships under his name. To date, he has the following awards and honors under his name. 

• 5× NBA champion (2000–2002, 2009 & 2010)
• 2× NBA Finals MVP (2009 & 2010)
• NBA Most Valuable Player (2008)
• 18× NBA All-Star (1998 & 2000–2016)
• 4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009 & 2011)
• 11× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004 & 2006–2013)
• 2× All-NBA Second Team (2000 & 2001)
• 2× All-NBA Third Team (1999 & 2005)
• 9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003, 2004 & 2006–2011)
• NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1997)
• First-team Parade All-American (1996)
• McDonald’s All-American (1996)

1) Michael Jordan 

(Fully named: Michael Jeffrey Jordan, Nickname: MJ)

Jordan is a former professional basketball shooting guard who starred on the NBA court for fifteen seasons. One way or the other, he is still linked with the NBA as he is the current owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets.

Well, everyone did see him in the number one spot. Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time who even stands as a global cultural icon today. 

Altogether, Michael Jordan has bagged six championships thought his career. Also, his overall stats portray 32,292 (30.1 PPG), 6,672 (6.2 RPG), and 5,633 (5.3 APG).

Similarly, he has numerous accolades and a few of them are listed below. 

• 6× NBA champion (1991–1993 & 1996–1998)
• 6× NBA Finals MVP (1991–1993 & 1996–1998)
• 5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996 & 1998)
• 14× NBA All-Star (1985–1993, 1996–1998, 2002 & 2003)
• 10× All-NBA First Team (1987–1993 & 1996–1998)
• NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
• 9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1988–1993 & 1996–1998)
• 2× NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1987 & 1988)
• 3× AP Athlete of the Year (1991–1993)
• Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (1991)
• NCAA champion (1982)
• National college player of the year (1984)
• ACC Player of the Year (1984)
• ACC Rookie of the Year (1982)
• 2× USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1983, 1984)
• McDonald’s All-American (1981)
• Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016)

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Summary

Overall, this sums up our list of the ten best shooting guards in the NBA. As one’s points, playing time, and much more changes go with the shift of their works and improvement, this won’t be the list that will be up forever. 

Herewith, the top best shooting guards are listed, hope some of the names that jumbled in your mind are also on the list. As for the summary on it, the names are listed accordingly. 

1. Michael Jordan
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Dwayne Wade
4. James Harden 
5. Clyde Drexler
6. Jerry West
7. George Gervin
8. Ray Allen
9. Klay Thompson
10. Tracy McGrady