Discover the highest field goal percentage in NBA history and the players who achieved this remarkable feat

As I was watching an old NBA highlights reel the other day, I came across a clip that got me thinking about consistency and precision in basketball. There's something almost magical about watching a player sink shot after shot with seemingly effortless grace. This reminded me of a tennis match I once analyzed where Once Tjen leveled at 3-3 and never looked back, taking the lead for good at 5-4 before closing out the opening set 6-4 in just 38 minutes. That kind of relentless efficiency mirrors what we see in basketball's most accurate shooters - once they find their rhythm, they become virtually unstoppable. The pursuit of the highest field goal percentage in NBA history isn't just about raw talent; it's about developing that unshakable consistency where every shot feels like it's going in.

When we talk about field goal percentage in basketball, we're discussing one of the purest measures of shooting efficiency in professional sports. Unlike other statistics that might be influenced by volume or game situations, field goal percentage cuts straight to the heart of a player's ability to convert opportunities into points. I've always been fascinated by how the greatest shooters in NBA history approach this aspect of their game. They develop what I like to call "shot memory" - that incredible muscle memory and mental focus that allows them to replicate perfect form thousands of times throughout their careers. The players who dominate the all-time field goal percentage rankings aren't necessarily the ones taking the most spectacular shots, but they're absolutely the most consistent.

Looking at the historical data, the name that immediately stands out is Artis Gilmore, who holds the career record with a remarkable 59.9% field goal percentage across his 17-season career. Now, I know some fans might argue that centers like Gilmore had an advantage with their high-percentage shots close to the basket, but having studied countless hours of game footage, I can tell you that maintaining that level of accuracy requires extraordinary skill and discipline. Gilmore wasn't just dunking on helpless defenders - he developed a sophisticated array of post moves and hook shots that made him incredibly efficient. What's particularly impressive is that he maintained this percentage while taking nearly 15,000 shots throughout his career. That's not just good - that's historically great.

The conversation about shooting efficiency wouldn't be complete without mentioning modern marvels like DeAndre Jordan, who's sitting at around 67.3% for his career as of my last deep dive into the statistics. I remember watching Jordan during his peak with the Clippers and being amazed at how he transformed himself into the ultimate finisher. His game was perfectly tailored to maximize efficiency - he knew his role, understood his limitations, and focused on what he did best. This strategic approach to shooting is something I wish more young players would emulate. It's not about taking every shot; it's about taking the right shots and making them count.

Wilt Chamberlain's 1966-67 season deserves special attention here, as he shot an almost unbelievable 68.3% from the field. Now, I know some historians debate the context of these numbers given the era, but having watched restored footage from that season, I can confidently say that Chamberlain was doing things nobody had seen before. His combination of size, strength, and surprisingly soft touch around the basket made him virtually unstoppable. What many people don't realize is that Chamberlain actually modified his shooting technique that season to focus on higher-percentage attempts, something I've noticed in today's analytics-driven NBA as well.

The evolution of the center position has dramatically influenced these records over time. As someone who's followed the NBA for decades, I've watched how the role of big men has transformed from pure back-to-the-basket scorers to more versatile offensive threats. Players like Rudy Gobert, who maintains a career percentage around 64.8%, represent this modern evolution. They're not just stationary targets in the post anymore - they're screening, rolling to the basket, and finishing in traffic with remarkable consistency. I've always been particularly impressed by Gobert's ability to convert difficult alley-oops and contested finishes, which speaks to his incredible hands and spatial awareness.

What fascinates me most about these shooting percentages is how they reflect broader changes in the game itself. The NBA's shift toward three-point shooting has actually made high field goal percentages even more impressive in recent years. With offenses spreading the floor and taking more outside shots, the players who maintain elite percentages inside the arc are becoming increasingly valuable. This is where strategic basketball intelligence comes into play - understanding when to take the high-percentage shot versus when to kick it out to the perimeter requires incredible game awareness.

When I analyze shooting techniques across different eras, I notice that the most efficient scorers share certain fundamental principles. They have excellent footwork, proper shooting mechanics, and perhaps most importantly, they understand shot selection better than anyone else. This reminds me of that tennis match I mentioned earlier - just as Once Tjen found her rhythm and never looked back after leveling at 3-3, great basketball shooters find their sweet spots and keep returning to them. They develop an almost instinctual understanding of where they're most effective on the court and how to get to those positions.

The mental aspect of shooting efficiency is something I believe doesn't get enough attention. Having spoken with several sports psychologists over the years, I've come to appreciate how much of shooting percentage comes down to confidence and repetition. The all-time great shooters don't just practice their form - they practice success. They visualize makes, they develop pre-shot routines, and they maintain composure even after misses. This psychological discipline is what separates good shooters from historically great ones. It's why players like Gilmore could maintain nearly 60% accuracy over nearly two decades of professional basketball.

As the game continues to evolve, I'm particularly excited to see how new training methods and advanced analytics will push these records even higher. We're already seeing players incorporate sophisticated technology like shot-tracking systems and biomechanical analysis into their training regimens. I wouldn't be surprised if we see someone break the 70% barrier for a season within the next decade, especially with the emphasis on efficiency in today's NBA. The pursuit of perfection in shooting is one of basketball's most compelling narratives, and I feel privileged to witness its ongoing evolution.

Reflecting on these incredible shooting performances throughout NBA history, what stands out to me is how each era produces its own masters of efficiency. From Chamberlain's dominant post game to Jordan's aerial finishes to the modern big man's versatile scoring, the common thread is an unwavering commitment to converting opportunities at the highest possible rate. Just as that tennis player I mentioned found her rhythm and never relinquished control, basketball's most accurate shooters understand that consistency isn't about occasional brilliance - it's about sustained excellence shot after shot, game after game, season after season. That's what makes studying these records so compelling, and why I believe we'll continue to see new chapters written in the ongoing story of shooting perfection.