Shooting Guard is one of the five main positions on the basketball court. Shooting Guard is mainly targeted to scoring the game, defense, perimeter play, and ball handling.
An assist in basketball is credited to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score.
Well, this is the basic concept of assisting and shooting guard position. Several shooting guards like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade are excellent at basketball.
Today we will dive into the top 10 shooting guards with the most assists in NBA history.
Top 10 shooting guards with the most assists in NBA history
James Harden – 6,136 assists
Compton, California boy James Harden is regarded as one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history.
He was raised primarily by his mother, Monja Willis. He was selected third overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2009 NBA Draft.
His contribution to the Oklahoma Thunder city to reach the NBA final is recommendable.
As a shooting guard, he scored the top assists in NBA history, with 6136 assists.
He was the 10-time NBA All-Star (2013-2022) and a lot of achievements in his name are there in the NBA.
Clyde Drexler – 6,125 assists
Clyde “The Glide” Drexler, born on June 22, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a former professional basketball player.
He spent with majority of his career with the Blazers. After being traded with the Houston Rockets in 1995 he won the NBA championship.
In his entire career, he recorded 6,125 assists, averaging 5.6 assists per game.
His highest-scoring game was on January 6, 1989, when he scored 50 points against the Sacramento Kings.
Kobe Bryant – 6,122 assists
Kobe Bryant also known as the “Black Mamba,” was one of the best players. Born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the son of former NBA player Joe “Jellybean” Bryant.
He declared for the NBA draft directly out of high school and was selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 but later traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kobe’s career spanned 20 seasons, all with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.
- Kobe Bryant’s total career stats:
- Total Points: 33,643
- Total Assists: 6,306
- Total Rebounds: 7,047
Read more: 20 Greatest Celtics Players in History, Ranked by Player Efficiency Rating (PER)
Jeff Hornacek – 5,281 assists
Jeff Hornacek is a former professional basketball player and coach, known for his time as a shooting guard in the NBA.
Born on May 3, 1963, in Elmhurst, Illinois, Hornacek played college basketball at Iowa State University.
Hornacek was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the 1986 NBA Draft. He played 14 seasons in the NBA, spending time with the Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, and Utah Jazz.
- Career Stats:
- Total Points: 15,659
- Total Assists: 5,281
- Total Rebounds: 3,646
Dwyane Wade – 5,198 assists
Dwayne Wade is known for his explosive athleticism, clutch performances, and leadership on the court.
Wade’s NBA career spanned 16 seasons, primarily with the Miami Heat, but also included stints with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers.
He played college basketball at Marquette University, where he led the team to the Final Four in 2003.
- Career Stats:
- Total Points: 23,165
- Total Assists: 5,701
- Total Rebounds: 4,933
Michael Jordan – 5,633 assists
Michael Jordan, often regarded as the legendary basketball player of all time, was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York.
Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984 and quickly became a dominant force in the NBA.
He led the Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s.
- Career Stats:
- Points: 32,292
- Assists: 5,633
- Rebounds: 6,672
Joe Dumars – 4,612 assists
Joe Dumars is one of the key members of the “Bad Boys” era. He played college basketball at McNeese State University before being drafted 18th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 1985 NBA Draft.
After retiring as a player, Dumars served as the Pistons’ President of Basketball Operations, where he built the team that won the 2004 NBA championship.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
- Career Stats:
- Points: 16,401
- Assists: 4,612
- Rebounds: 2,203
Ray Allen – 4,361 assists
Drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1996, he is one of the greatest shooting guards. Over 18 seasons, he played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat.
Allen won two NBA championships, one with the Celtics in 2008 and another with the Heat in 2013. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
- Career Stats:
- Points: 24,505
- Assists: 4,361
- Rebounds: 5,272
Randy Smith – 4,298 assists
Randy Smith, born on December 12, 1948, in Bellport, New York, was a professional basketball player.
He played college basketball at Buffalo State College and was drafted by the Buffalo Braves in the 7th round of the 1971 NBA Draft.
Smith played 12 seasons in the NBA, primarily with the Braves (who later became the San Diego Clippers), but also had stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Atlanta Hawks.
He passed away on June 4, 2009.
- Career Stats:
- Points: 16,262
- Assists: 4,073
- Rebounds: 3,530
Richie Guerin – 4,211 assists
Richie Guerin is a former professional basketball player and coach, known for his time with the New York Knicks and the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks.
He was born on May 29, 1932, in the Bronx, New York. Guerin played as a guard.
He debuted in the NBA with the New York Knicks in 1956. In 2013, he was honored with the Hall of Fame.
- Career Stats:
- Points: 14,676
- Assists: 4,211
- Rebounds: 3,691
Who is the Best Shooting Guards of all time
The best Shooting guards of all time are Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, James Harden, Ray Alle, Clyde Drexler, Reggie Miller, Allen Iverson, George Gervin, and Manu Ginobili.
Who has the most assists in NBA history overall?
The player with the most assists in NBA history is John Stockton, who recorded a total of 15,806 assists during his career.
He played for the Utah Jazz from 1984 to 2003 and is renowned for his exceptional playmaking abilities.
What do shooting guards do?
Shooting guards, often referred to as the “2” position, have several key responsibilities like scoring, perimeter defense, ball handling, off-ball movements, rebounding, and passing. (Source)
What do shooting guards do in basketball?
Shooting guards, often referred to as the “2” position, have several key responsibilities like scoring, perimeter defense, ball handling, off-ball movements, rebounding, and passing. (Source)
How tall should a shooting guard be?
Shooting guards in the NBA typically range in height from 6’3″ to 6’7″, with the average height being around 6’5″. This height allows them to effectively shoot over defenders, play strong perimeter defense, and contribute to rebounding.