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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

Who are the top 3-point shooters in Arizona basketball history?

Arizona+guard+Gabe+York+%281%29+waits+eagerly+at+the+free-throw+line+in+McKale+Center+playing+against+Stanford+on+Saturday%2C+March+5.+York+knocked+down+nine+3-pointers+on+senior+day.+
Sydney Richardson
Arizona guard Gabe York (1) waits eagerly at the free-throw line in McKale Center playing against Stanford on Saturday, March 5. York knocked down nine 3-pointers on senior day.

In Saturday’s regular season finale, Arizona hit a school-record 18 3-point shots en route to a 94-62 win over Stanford University.

Led by senior sharpshooter Gabe York’s nine 3-pointers, it was an epic display of long distance connections, highlighted by fan-favorite senior Jacob Hazzard’s three 3’s in the second half. This performance had us wondering who the school’s top 3-point shooters were, so without further ado, here are the best shooters in Arizona history.

5. Gabe York

It was a toss-up between York and Chris Mills, but York gets the slight edge due to consistency. Mills did shoot 48 percent from 3 his senior year, but all four of Gabe York’s seasons upstaged Mills’s other years. York’s efficiency has increased every year and this season he shot a shade under 43 percent, despite receiving more attention.

Usually a player’s efficiency decreases whenever they carry a bigger offensive role, but York has improved his attempts and efficiency despite not having Nick Johnson or Stanley Johnson to draw the attention.

4. Damon Stoudamire

While his cousin Salim Stoudamire may get more recognition as a shooter, the 1995 Pac-10 Player of the Year was a force from 3 as well.

When he was not driving the lane or setting up his teammates, Stoudamire averaged 46 percent from three while launching eight per game during his senior campaign for the Wildcats. Although Stoudamire left Arizona as the school’s all-time leader in makes and attempts, he is still the second best 3-point shooting left-handed Stoudamire in school history.

3. Sean Elliot

The catalyst for the 1988 Final Four team, Sean Elliot’s superior 3-point shooting helped him average 19 points per game on only 13 shots.

The 1989 Wooden Award winner and two-time conference player of the year averaged two 3-pointers on 50 percent accuracy during his award-winning senior season. During that same season he averaged 22 points per game for the Wildcats.

2. Salim Stoudamire

The sweet-shooting southpaw narrowly edged out Sean Elliot in career percentage — 45.8-45.6 percent — and was a terror from behind the arc during his four years at Arizona.

While many considered Duke University guard J.J. Redick the best shooter in the country during the 2005 season, Lute Olson was confused by this proclamation. At one point, he asked how Redick was better than Stoudamire despite needing to make 53 consecutive 3-pointers to tie Stoudamire at the time and it is hard to argue that logic.

While he was notorious for his moodiness, the All-American’s shooting was a huge asset for NBA players such as Andre Iguodala and Channing Frye.

1. Steve Kerr

Kerr may be the coach of the NBA’s best shooting duo in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but he and Sean Elliot were also shredding teams with their shooting at one time.

In their 1988 Final Four run, Elliot’s 47 percent 3-point accuracy was a full 10 percent lower than Kerr’s and Kerr was not gun-shy either. At three 3-pointers made per game, he will “drill it in from 3-point land” just like he boasted in the team’s infamous 1988 rap song.


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