Best Left-Handed NBA Players
Left-handed players make up only about 10 percent of the general population, and that ratio holds pretty steady in the NBA too. But don’t let the numbers fool you—some of the league’s most dominant forces have been southpaws.
These players brought something special to the court, using their left-handed advantage to keep defenders guessing and create opportunities that right-handed players simply couldn’t replicate. From legendary centers who dominated the paint to crafty guards who could score from anywhere, left-handed players have left an indelible mark on basketball history.
Here is a list of 13 of the best left-handed players to ever lace up their sneakers in the NBA.
Bill Russell
Bill Russell didn’t just play basketball—he rewrote what it meant to be a champion. The Boston Celtics legend won an absolutely ridiculous 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career, a record that will almost certainly never be broken.
Russell was a defensive genius who turned shot-blocking into an art form, though the NBA didn’t even track blocks as an official stat until his final season. He won five MVP awards and made the All-Star team 12 times, proving that defense and rebounding could be just as valuable as scoring.
Beyond his playing career, Russell also became the first Black head coach in NBA history, breaking yet another barrier and cementing his legacy as a transformative figure both on and off the court.
David Robinson
The Admiral brought a unique combination of size, speed, and skill that big men before him rarely possessed. Robinson’s left-handed game was smooth as silk, featuring a feathery jump shot that stretched defenses and kept opponents honest.
He won two NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs, claimed the 1995 MVP award, and even dropped 71 points in a single game just to remind everyone what he was capable of. His military background gave him discipline and work ethic that translated perfectly to basketball, making him one of the most complete centers the league has ever seen.
James Harden
Love him or hate him, Harden has been one of the most unstoppable offensive forces of his generation. His left-handed step-back three-pointer became so iconic that defenders knew it was coming and still couldn’t stop it.
Harden won the 2018 MVP award, earned 10 All-Star selections, and racked up multiple scoring titles by averaging over 30 points per game for entire seasons. He’s currently 24th all-time in points and 16th in assists, numbers that keep climbing as his career continues.
Sure, he hasn’t won a championship yet, but his individual accomplishments have already punched his ticket to the Hall of Fame.
Willis Reed
Reed made history as the first second-round draft pick to win NBA MVP, claiming the honor in 1970. The New York Knicks legend became famous for his toughness and leadership, dragging himself onto the court for Game 7 of the 1970 Finals despite a severe leg injury.
Reed won two championships with the Knicks and became the first player ever to win the All-Star Game MVP, regular season MVP, and Finals MVP all in the same year—a triple crown that speaks to his dominance. His presence in the paint was commanding, and his left-handed hook shot gave defenders fits throughout his career.
Manu Ginobili
Ginobili proved that coming off the bench doesn’t mean you’re any less valuable than the starters. The Argentine legend spent his entire 16-year NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs, winning four championships as part of the famous Big Three alongside Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.
Manu’s creativity was off the charts—his no-look passes and acrobatic finishes made highlight reels regularly, and his willingness to take charges showed he’d do whatever it took to win. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 1996 and made two All-Star teams, but his impact went far beyond those numbers.
Plus, he led Argentina to Olympic gold in 2004, beating Team USA along the way.
Chris Bosh
Bosh brought a modern versatility to the power forward position that was ahead of its time. He could face up from the mid-range, stretch the floor from three-point range, and protect the rim on defense—basically everything teams look for in a big man today.
Bosh earned 11 All-Star selections during his career, starting with his breakout years in Toronto before joining the Miami Heat where he won back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013 as part of the Big Three with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. His career was tragically cut short in 2017 when blood clotting issues forced him to retire at just 32 years old, robbing fans of several more years of high-level basketball.
Still, his smooth left-handed game and basketball IQ made him one of the best bigs of the 2000s.
Artis Gilmore
Gilmore was an absolute force in the paint who dominated for 17 seasons between the ABA and NBA. Standing 7-foot-2 with a soft shooting touch, he was nearly impossible to stop one-on-one down low.
Gilmore won an ABA championship in 1975, earned the ABA MVP award, and made six NBA All-Star teams after the leagues merged. His career field goal percentage of 59.9 percent ranks fifth all-time when combining NBA and ABA stats, showing just how efficient he was around the basket.
Gilmore’s combination of size, skill, and longevity made him one of the most underrated centers in basketball history.
Nate ‘Tiny’ Archibald
Don’t let the nickname fool you—Tiny Archibald played with the heart of a giant. The 6-foot-1 point guard brought that gritty New York City playground style to the NBA, combining flashy passes with relentless scoring.
Archibald made history as the only player ever to lead the league in both scoring and assists in the same season, averaging 34 points and 11.4 assists in 1972-73. He made six All-Star teams, won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 1981, and earned All-Star Game MVP honors.
His left-handed game was lightning-quick, and defenders had no answer for his speed and creativity.
Bob Lanier
Lanier’s sweeping left-handed hook shot was one of the deadliest weapons in the 1970s. The Detroit Pistons center stood 6-foot-11 and combined size with surprising finesse, making him incredibly difficult to guard in the post.
Lanier earned eight All-Star selections during his 14-year career and consistently put up 20 points and 10 rebounds per game during his prime. He was the complete package on offense—he could score with his back to the basket, face up from mid-range, or pass out of double teams.
Lanier remains one of the best players in Pistons history and one of the most skilled centers of his era.
Dave Cowens
Cowens brought an intensity and competitive fire that made him a Celtic legend. Though often listed at power forward, the 6-foot-9 Cowens played center for much of his career and occasionally switched between both positions for Boston.
He played way bigger than his size, using relentless energy to dominate the boards and defend the rim. Cowens won two NBA championships with Boston, earned the 1973 MVP award, and made eight All-Star teams during his career.
He was incredibly versatile for a big man of his era, able to score, rebound, and even handle the orb when needed.
Gail Goodrich
Goodrich’s speed and left-handed shooting stroke made him a nightmare for defenders in the 1960s and 70s. He was a key piece of the legendary 1972 Lakers team that won 33 straight games, still an NBA record, and captured the championship.
Goodrich actually led that stacked team in scoring, averaging more than Wilt Chamberlain and J. West. He made five All-Star teams during his career and won two NCAA championships at UCLA before turning pro.
Goodrich’s ability to score in bunches and his clutch performances in big games cemented his place among the game’s greats.
Chris Mullin
Mullin’s left-handed jump shot was pure perfection, the kind of form that coaches show to young players as an example. The Golden State Warriors legend made five All-Star teams and became one of the best offensive players of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Mullin averaged over 25 points per game during his prime and was known for his incredible work ethic and basketball IQ. He overcame personal struggles early in his career to become a consistent All-NBA performer and member of the original Dream Team in 1992.
His smooth shooting stroke and scoring ability make him one of the best left-handed wings ever.
Toni Kukoč
Kukoč was a pioneer who helped pave the way for European players in the NBA. The 6-foot-11 Croatian forward had skills that seemed almost unfair for someone his size—he could handle the orb like a guard, pass like a point forward, and shoot from anywhere on the court.
Kukoč won three championships with the Chicago Bulls during their second three-peat, providing crucial scoring and playmaking off the bench. His basketball IQ was off the charts, and he won the Sixth Man of the Year award during the 1995-96 season.
Kukoč proved that lefty European players could thrive at the highest level, opening doors for generations to come.
When Lefties Write History
These 13 players prove that being left-handed in basketball isn’t just about being different—it’s about creating advantages that translate to championships and Hall of Fame careers. From Russell’s 11 rings in the 1960s to Harden’s scoring explosions in the modern era, left-handed players have consistently shaped how the game is played.
Their unique approaches forced defenses to adjust, coaches to innovate, and fans to appreciate basketball from a fresh angle. The next time you watch a lefty dominate on the court, remember you’re witnessing something special that only happens about 10 percent of the time.
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