List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career free throw scoring leaders
Encyclopedia
In basketball
, a free throw
is "an opportunity given to a player to score one (1) point, uncontested, from position behind the free throw line and inside the semicircle." The National Collegiate Athletic Association
's (NCAA) Division I is the highest level of amateur basketball in the United States
. The NCAA did not split into its current divisions format until August 1973. From 1906 to 1955, there were no classifications to the NCAA nor its predecessor, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS). Then, from 1956 to spring 1973, colleges were classified as either "NCAA University Division (Major College)" or "NCAA College Division (Small College)".
The all-time leader in NCAA free throws made is Tyler Hansbrough
of North Carolina
. From 2005–06
through 2008–09
, Hansbrough made 982 free throws, surpassing the 54-year old record of 905 that was held by Wake Forest
's Dickie Hemric
. While Hansbrough's free throw percentage (79.1%) is better than Hemric's (66.6%). Hemric accomplished the feat in only 104 career games played compared to Hansbrough's 142.
Four players on this list are Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees: Pete Maravich
, Oscar Robertson
, Bill Bradley
and Joe Dumars
. Some players on this list, such as those whose career games played is below 100, played college basketball during the ear before freshmen
were allowed to play varsity basketball, and were instead allowed to play freshman or junior varsity basketball only. Their free throw makes and attempts could have been significantly higher had they played an additional season.
Boston College
(BC) and George Washington University
(GWU) are the only two schools that have multiple members on the top 25 all-time free throws made list. For BC, Troy Bell
(810) and Danya Abrams (698) appear, while GWU's Chris Monroe (719) and Joe Holup
(714) have made the list. Only one player in the top 25 split his college career between two different schools. Steve Rogers
, who scored 713 free throws between 1988 and 1992, attended Middle Tennessee before transferring to Alabama State.
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Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, a free throw
Free throw
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points from a restricted area on the court , and are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team...
is "an opportunity given to a player to score one (1) point, uncontested, from position behind the free throw line and inside the semicircle." The National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
's (NCAA) Division I is the highest level of amateur basketball in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The NCAA did not split into its current divisions format until August 1973. From 1906 to 1955, there were no classifications to the NCAA nor its predecessor, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS). Then, from 1956 to spring 1973, colleges were classified as either "NCAA University Division (Major College)" or "NCAA College Division (Small College)".
The all-time leader in NCAA free throws made is Tyler Hansbrough
Tyler Hansbrough
Andrew Tyler Hansbrough is an American basketball player for the Indiana Pacers. Hansbrough completed a college basketball career with the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team in 2009, and was drafted into the NBA by the Indiana Pacers with the 13th pick of the 1st round of the 2009 NBA...
of North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
. From 2005–06
2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 6, 2005, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 3, 2006 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana...
through 2008–09
2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2008 and ended with the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament's championship game on April 6, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The season saw six different teams achieve the AP #1 ranking during the...
, Hansbrough made 982 free throws, surpassing the 54-year old record of 905 that was held by Wake Forest
Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball team participates in the Atlantic Coast Conference and their homecourt is the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Their only Final Four appearance was in 1962 and through the years they have produced several NBA players. The Demon Deacons have...
's Dickie Hemric
Dickie Hemric
Ned Dixon Hemric is a former basketball player for Wake Forest University and the NBA's Boston Celtics ....
. While Hansbrough's free throw percentage (79.1%) is better than Hemric's (66.6%). Hemric accomplished the feat in only 104 career games played compared to Hansbrough's 142.
Four players on this list are Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees: Pete Maravich
Pete Maravich
Peter "Pistol Pete" Press Maravich was an American professional basketball player. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Maravich starred in college at Louisiana State University and played for three NBA teams until injuries induced him to retire in 1980...
, Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson
Oscar Palmer Robertson , nicknamed "The Big O", is a former American NBA player with the Cincinnati Royals and the Milwaukee Bucks...
, Bill Bradley
Bill Bradley
William Warren "Bill" Bradley is an American hall of fame basketball player, Rhodes scholar, and former three-term Democratic U.S. Senator from New Jersey. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic Party's nomination for President in the 2000 election.Bradley was born and raised in a suburb of St....
and Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars III , nicknamed Joe D, is a retired American basketball player in the NBA, and currently the Detroit Pistons' President of Basketball Operations....
. Some players on this list, such as those whose career games played is below 100, played college basketball during the ear before freshmen
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
were allowed to play varsity basketball, and were instead allowed to play freshman or junior varsity basketball only. Their free throw makes and attempts could have been significantly higher had they played an additional season.
Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
(BC) and George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
(GWU) are the only two schools that have multiple members on the top 25 all-time free throws made list. For BC, Troy Bell
Troy Bell
Troy Delvon Bell is an American professional basketball player formerly of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. He played at Boston College and finished as one of the greatest players in the program's history....
(810) and Danya Abrams (698) appear, while GWU's Chris Monroe (719) and Joe Holup
Joe Holup
Joseph J. "Joe" Holup was an American professional basketball player.A 6'6' forward, Holup starred at George Washington University from 1953 to 1956. He tallied 2,226 points and 2,030 rebounds in 104 varsity games, and led the NCAA in rebounds per game during the 1955–56 season...
(714) have made the list. Only one player in the top 25 split his college career between two different schools. Steve Rogers
Steve Rogers (basketball)
Steven "Steve" Rogers is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA.A 6'5" and 190 lb shooting guard, Rogers played his freshman year of college basketball at Middle Tennessee State University, before transferring to Alabama State University for his sophomore, junior and senior...
, who scored 713 free throws between 1988 and 1992, attended Middle Tennessee before transferring to Alabama State.
Key
| Pos. | G | F | C | FTM | FTA | FT% | Ref. |
| Position Basketball position The three basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams are guard, forward, and center. More specifically, they can be classified into the five positions: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. The rules of basketball do not mandate them, and... |
Guard | Forward | Center | Free throw Free throw In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points from a restricted area on the court , and are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team... s made |
Free throws attempted | Free throw % | References |
| * | Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| Team (X) | Denotes the number of times a player from that team appears on the list |
Free throw leaders
| Player | Pos. | Team | Games played |
Career start | Career end | FTM | FTA | FT% | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | North Carolina North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history... |
142 | 2005 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 6, 2005, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 3, 2006 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana... |
2009 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2008 and ended with the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament's championship game on April 6, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The season saw six different teams achieve the AP #1 ranking during the... |
982 | 1241 | 79.1 | ||
| C | Wake Forest Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball team participates in the Atlantic Coast Conference and their homecourt is the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Their only Final Four appearance was in 1962 and through the years they have produced several NBA players. The Demon Deacons have... |
104 | 1951 1951–52 NCAA men's basketball season -Harlem Globetrotters vs. Seattle University:On January 21, 1952, the Harlem Globetrotters played Seattle in a game designed to raise funds for the United States Olympic efforts. Five days before the game was held, Royal Brougham received a call from Howard Hobson, who was the Yale basketball coach... |
1955 | 905 | 1359 | 66.6 | ||
| * | G | LSU | 83 | 1967 | 1970 | 893 | 1152 | 77.5 | |
| * | G/F | Cincinnati Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball The Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team is the NCAA Division I men's basketball program of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. They currently compete in the Big East Conference and are coached by Mick Cronin. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in... |
88 | 1957 1957–58 NCAA University Division men's basketball season -Season headlines:* Adolph Rupp won his fourth championship as he led the Kentucky Wildcats to an 84–72 win over the Seattle Chieftains and their star, Elgin Baylor. The starting unit was nicknamed the "Fiddlin' Five," after a quip by Rupp that his team were fiddlers when he really needed violinists... |
1960 | 869 | 1114 | 78.0 | |
| F | Oral Roberts Oral Roberts Golden Eagles men's basketball The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles Basketball team is the basketball team that represent Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The school's team currently competes in The Summit League. The team earned an automatic berth in the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. It was their third... |
128 | 2003 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2003, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 5, 2004 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas... |
2007 | 852 | 1134 | 75.1 | ||
| C | Indiana Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Indiana University . The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA. The Hoosiers play on Branch McCracken Court at the Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana on the IU... |
94 | 1951 1951–52 NCAA men's basketball season -Harlem Globetrotters vs. Seattle University:On January 21, 1952, the Harlem Globetrotters played Seattle in a game designed to raise funds for the United States Olympic efforts. Five days before the game was held, Royal Brougham received a call from Howard Hobson, who was the Yale basketball coach... |
1955 | 826 | 1076 | 76.8 | ||
| G | Boston College Boston College Eagles men's basketball The Boston College Eagles are a Division I college basketball program that represents Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA. The team has competed in the ACC since 2005, having previously played in the Big East. Home games have been played at the Conte Forum since 1988, having previously been played... |
122 | 1999 | 2003 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2003, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 5, 2004 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas... |
810 | 933 | 86.8 | ||
| * | F/G | Princeton Princeton Tigers men's basketball The Princeton Tigers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Princeton University. The school competes in the Ivy League in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Tigers play home basketball games at the Jadwin Gymnasium in... |
83 | 1962 | 1965 | 791 | 903 | 87.6 | |
| C | Georgetown | 120 | 1988 | 1992 | 771 | 1003 | 75.4 | ||
| F | Missouri Missouri Tigers men's basketball The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team represents the University of Missouri in the Big 12 Conference. The Tigers are located in Columbia, Missouri. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2011. The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team plays its home games at... |
130 | 1984 | 1988 | 764 | 963 | 79.3 | ||
| G | Vermont Vermont Catamounts men's basketball The Vermont Catamounts Basketball team is the basketball team that represent the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. The school's team currently competes in the America East Conference and plays its home games at Patrick Gym. The team has reached the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball... |
104 | 2004 2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2004, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 2, 2005 at the Edward Jones Dome in Saint Louis,... |
2008 | 739 | 891 | 82.9 | ||
| G | Murray State Murray State Racers men's basketball Murray State Racers men's basketball program represents intercollegiate men's basketball at Murray State University. The school competes in the Ohio Valley Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and play home games at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky. Steve... |
104 | 1952 | 1956 | 731 | 1041 | 70.2 | ||
| * | G | McNeese State | 116 | 1981 1981–82 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 1981–82 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 27, 1981, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1982 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on March 29, 1982 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans,... |
1985 | 723 | 917 | 78.8 | |
| G | George Washington George Washington Colonials men's basketball The George Washington Colonials Basketball team represents The George Washington University in Washington, DC. It plays its home games in the Charles E. Smith Center, which is also shared with other George Washington Colonials athletic programs. The school's team currently competes in the Atlantic... |
118 | 1999 | 2003 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2002, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2003 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 7, 2003 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans,... |
719 | 955 | 75.3 | ||
| F | George Washington George Washington Colonials men's basketball The George Washington Colonials Basketball team represents The George Washington University in Washington, DC. It plays its home games in the Charles E. Smith Center, which is also shared with other George Washington Colonials athletic programs. The school's team currently competes in the Atlantic... (2) |
104 | 1952 | 1956 | 714 | 961 | 74.3 | ||
| G/F | Purdue Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball The Purdue Boilermakers basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and is a member of the Big Ten Conference. Purdue basketball holds the record for most Big Ten Championships with 22, along with being the only program in the conference to boast winning records... |
70 | 1959 | 1962 | 713 | 871 | 81.9 | ||
| F/C | Duke Duke Blue Devils men's basketball The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I... |
148 | 1988 | 1992 | 713 | 885 | 80.6 | ||
| G/F | Middle Tennessee / Alabama State |
113 | 1988 | 1992 | 713 | 955 | 74.7 | ||
| F/C | UCLA UCLA Bruins men's basketball The UCLA Bruins men's basketball program, established in 1920, owns a record 11 Division I NCAA championships. UCLA teams coached by John Wooden won 10 national titles in 12 seasons from 1964 to 1975, including 7 straight from 1967 to 1973. UCLA went undefeated a record 4 times, in 1964, 1967,... |
127 | 1988 | 1992 | 711 | 827 | 86.0 | ||
| G | Drexel Drexel Dragons men's basketball The Drexel Dragons men's basketball program represents intercollegiate men's basketball at Drexel University. The team currently competes in the Colonial Athletic Association in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and play home games at the Daskalakis Athletic Center in... |
115 | 1984 | 1988 | 705 | 958 | 73.6 | ||
| F | Oklahoma State | 127 | 1988 | 1992 | 698 | 957 | 72.9 | ||
| F | Boston College Boston College Eagles men's basketball The Boston College Eagles are a Division I college basketball program that represents Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA. The team has competed in the ACC since 2005, having previously played in the Big East. Home games have been played at the Conte Forum since 1988, having previously been played... (2) |
122 | 1993 | 1997 | 698 | 1003 | 69.6 | ||
| G | Wyoming | 126 | 2005 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 6, 2005, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 3, 2006 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana... |
2009 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2008 and ended with the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament's championship game on April 6, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The season saw six different teams achieve the AP #1 ranking during the... |
697 | 855 | 81.5 | ||
| G | Washington & Lee Washington and Lee University Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia, United States.The classical school from which Washington and Lee descended was established in 1749 as Augusta Academy, about north of its present location. In 1776 it was renamed Liberty Hall in a burst of... |
109 | 1954 | 1958 1957–58 NCAA University Division men's basketball season -Season headlines:* Adolph Rupp won his fourth championship as he led the Kentucky Wildcats to an 84–72 win over the Seattle Chieftains and their star, Elgin Baylor. The starting unit was nicknamed the "Fiddlin' Five," after a quip by Rupp that his team were fiddlers when he really needed violinists... |
696 | 954 | 73.0 | ||
| F | Montana State | 101 | 1956 1956–57 NCAA University Division men's basketball season -Season headlines:* This was the first year where NCAA basketball was split into two levels of play – the University and College divisions.-Major rule changes:Beginning in 1956–57, the following rules changes were implemented:... |
1960 | 696 | 947 | 73.5 | ||