25 NBA Players With Most Free Throws Attempted in History

25. DeMar DeRozan (7,778 FTA)

DeRozan is a modern master of the mid-range game, but he is also an expert at drawing fouls. His knack for getting to the line is a key part of his offensive repertoire, allowing him to score efficiently and make it on this list.

24. Dolph Schayes (7,904 FTA)

An early NBA great, Schayes was a dominant forward with a physical, bruising style of play. He excelled at drawing contact in the paint, which is reflected in his high number of free-throw attempts, a testament to his toughness and offensive aggression.

23. Elvin Hayes (7,999 FTA)

Known as "The Big E," Hayes was a relentless rebounder and scorer. His relentless post-play and offensive rebounding often put him in positions to draw fouls, making him a consistent presence at the free-throw line throughout his Hall of Fame career.

22. Walt Bellamy (8,088 FTA)

Bellamy was a powerhouse center known for his scoring and rebounding. His ability to finish through contact in the paint and his aggressive style led to a high volume of free-throw attempts, solidifying his spot on this list.

21. Bob Pettit (8,119 FTA)

A physical and relentless rebounder and scorer, Bob Pettit's game was built on a foundation of aggressive post-play. He consistently drew fouls and got to the free-throw line, a major reason he was one of the NBA's first dominant offensive forces.

20. Allen Iverson (8,168 FTA)

Despite his small stature, Iverson's fearless drives to the basket and relentless attacking style made him a free-throw machine. He consistently absorbed contact and was one of the league's most difficult players to guard without fouling.

19. David Robinson (8,201 FTA)

"The Admiral" was a physically imposing center whose athleticism and skill made him a dominant force. His ability to score in the post and run the floor often led to him drawing fouls and earning numerous trips to the free-throw line.

18. Dirk Nowitzki (8,239 FTA)

Nowitzki's game was more about finesse than power, but his signature fadeaway jump shot was so difficult to defend that opponents often resorted to fouling him. His consistent presence at the free-throw line speaks to his offensive genius.

17. Kevin Durant (8,271 FTA)

As one of the most gifted scorers in history, Durant's length and smooth offensive game are nearly impossible to guard. Defenders frequently foul him to try and stop his shot, giving him one of the highest free-throw attempt averages of all time.

16. Adrian Dantley (8,351 FTA)

Dantley was a prolific scorer who mastered the art of foul-drawing. He was known for his physical and deliberate approach to the game, driving to the basket to create contact and get to the free-throw line, where he was exceptionally accurate.

15. Tim Duncan (8,468 FTA)

Duncan's free-throw attempts reflect his longevity and consistent play as a dominant post player. While he was never flashy, his fundamentally sound moves and constant presence in the paint made him a foul-drawing machine.

14. Paul Pierce (8,578 FTA)

"The Truth" was a versatile scorer who used a crafty game to get to the basket and draw fouls. His ability to pump-fake and use body control to create contact made him a perennial presence at the free-throw line.

13. Charles Barkley (8,643 FTA)

Barkley's incredible strength and relentless aggression in the paint made him a nightmare for defenders. He was a master at drawing fouls, using his body to get to the basket and rack up free-throw attempts at an astonishing rate.

12. Michael Jordan (8,772 FTA)

Jordan's relentless drives and athletic ability meant he was constantly attacking the basket. His aggressiveness and knack for drawing contact made him a frequent visitor to the free-throw line, where he was a deadly shooter.

11. Jerry West (8,801 FTA)

Known as "The Logo," West was a dynamic and tireless scorer. He was aggressive on drives and in the post, often drawing fouls from defenders who couldn't keep up with his relentless offensive attack.

10. Oscar Robertson (9,185 FTA)

Robertson was a pioneer of the triple-double, but his high number of free-throw attempts highlights his scoring dominance. He was a physically imposing guard who would attack the basket with force, earning countless trips to the line.

9. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9,304 FTA)

With his signature skyhook and incredible post-play, Abdul-Jabbar was a difficult player to defend without fouling. His longevity and offensive dominance in the paint are reflected in his place on this all-time list.

8. Dwight Howard (9,455 FTA)

As a dominant center in his prime, Howard's sheer physical force in the paint often overwhelmed defenders. He drew fouls at an extremely high rate, even with his struggles from the line, due to his powerful dunks and aggressive post-play.

7. James Harden (9,478 FTA)

Harden's ability to draw fouls is legendary. He has mastered the art of foul-baiting with his step-back shots and drives to the basket, leading to an unprecedented number of free-throw attempts that define his offensive style.

6. Kobe Bryant (10,011 FTA)

Kobe was a relentless competitor and scorer who was always attacking. His aggressive drives and fadeaway jumpers constantly put pressure on defenders, resulting in an enormous number of free-throw attempts over his 20-year career.

5. Moses Malone (11,090 FTA)

Malone was a tenacious rebounder and post player. His relentless work ethic and ability to get offensive rebounds made him a foul magnet. He consistently drew contact to get to the line, where he would score his points.

4. Shaquille O'Neal (11,252 FTA)

"Hack-a-Shaq" became a defensive strategy due to O'Neal's dominance and poor free-throw shooting. His sheer size and power were unstoppable in the paint, forcing defenders to foul him repeatedly and leading to his high volume of attempts.

3. LeBron James (11,735 FTA)

LeBron's physicality and longevity are a major reason he's on this list. His powerful drives to the basket and ability to draw contact have made him a consistent presence at the free-throw line throughout his career.

2. Wilt Chamberlain (11,862 FTA)

Wilt's massive frame and unparalleled dominance in the paint made him a constant target for fouls. He was so physically overpowering that defenders had no choice but to hack him, leading to his staggering number of free-throw attempts.

1. Karl Malone (13,188 FTA)

Malone's free-throw record is a testament to his longevity, durability, and physical style of play. As a powerful pick-and-roll player and post scorer, he was always getting to the line, solidifying his spot at the top of this list.