Honestly, the dunk contest has been a bit of a coin flip for years. Sometimes it’s a classic, but often it's just guys missing complicated lobs for twenty minutes while judges hand out pity tens. That is exactly why the three point contest 2025 is the event everyone actually cares about this year. Shooting is the universal language of the modern NBA. You see it in every driveway and every YMCA across the country.
People want to see the best snipers on the planet stand at the rack and prove who has the quickest release and the deepest range. This year, the stakes feel a bit higher. We are in an era where "gravity" isn't just a physics term; it's what Steph Curry and Damian Lillard create every time they cross half-court.
Who is Actually Shooting in the Three Point Contest 2025?
Predicting the field is always a mix of looking at the league leaders and those legacy names that the NBA invites just to keep the ratings high. You’ve basically got two camps of shooters. There are the specialists—the guys like Buddy Hield or Malik Beasley who live for the catch-and-shoot. Then you have the superstars like Tyrese Haliburton or Trae Young who have to create their own shots off the dribble all game but suddenly have to adjust to a stationary rack.
That transition is harder than it looks.
Usually, the NBA looks at the top ten in three-point percentage, but they also want the star power. If a guy is hitting $40%$ from deep on high volume, he's getting the call. This year, the chatter is all about the younger guards. We are seeing a massive shift in how the ball is tracked and how these players train, utilizing high-tech shot-tracking systems that measure the optimal arc of every single attempt.
The three point contest 2025 isn't just about making shots; it's about rhythm. You have 70 seconds to get through 27 balls. That is roughly 2.6 seconds per shot. If you fumble a single ball or get stuck on a "money ball" rack, your round is basically over. It’s brutal. It’s fast. It’s why fans love it.
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The Rise of the Deep Ball and the Starry Range
Remember when they added the "Starry Range" shots? Those deep pedestals sitting way beyond the arc? Initially, people thought it was a gimmick. Now, it’s the most exciting part of the night. It rewards the "Logo Lillard" types who can hit from 30 feet without breaking a sweat. In the three point contest 2025, those shots are worth three points each. They can literally swing the entire competition.
If you're a betting person, you look for the guys who don't jump high on their jumpers. Think about it. If you have a high-flying leap on every shot, your legs are going to be absolute jelly by the fourth rack. The winners—the Klay Thompsons and the Devin Bookers of the world—have these compact, repeatable motions. They barely leave the floor. It’s all in the wrist and the follow-through.
The Mental Game of the Racks
Shooting in an empty gym is easy. Shooting in front of a packed arena with $15$ of your peers—all of them All-Stars—sitting courtside and chirping at you? That’s different.
- The Money Ball Rack: Every shooter gets to pick one rack where every ball is worth two points. Most players put it in the corner because it’s the shortest distance. But some prefer the top of the key because that’s where they get most of their looks in a real game.
- The Timing: You see guys rush the first two racks and then lose their breath by the time they get to the final corner.
- The Pressure: If the guy before you just put up a 28, you know you have almost zero room for error.
What's fascinating about the three point contest 2025 is how the league has embraced the "showmanship" of it. It’s no longer just a side event. In many ways, the winner of this contest gets more respect from their peers than the guy who wins the dunk contest. Every NBA player thinks they can shoot. Only a few can prove it under these lights.
Why Shooting Percentages This Season Matter
If you look at the stats leading into February, the league is shooting at a clip we’ve never seen before. It’s not just that they’re making more; they’re taking more. The "break even" point for a three-point shot versus a mid-range two has been common knowledge for a decade, but the 2024-2025 season has taken it to an extreme.
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We are seeing centers—seven-footers—who would have been benched for taking a three twenty years ago now leading their teams in attempts. Will we see a big man in the three point contest 2025? Fans always love a "Big Kat" Karl-Anthony Towns moment. It breaks the monotony of seeing six-foot-three guards doing the same thing.
The Impact of the New Ball and Rim Physics
There is always talk among the players about the "softness" of the rims at All-Star weekend. Usually, the NBA uses a specific setup that is a bit more forgiving to allow for high scores. Nobody wants to see a professional shooter go 5-for-25 because the rims are like rocks.
In the three point contest 2025, expect the scores to be sky-high. We are talking rounds of 25, 27, maybe even a 30. The record-breaking performance by Sabrina Ionescu a while back really set a new bar for what "perfection" looks like in this format. It pushed the NBA guys to stop taking it so casually. They actually practice with the racks now. They hire specialists to time their transitions between the stations.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you're tuning in, don't just watch the ball go through the net. Watch the feet.
The best shooters in the three point contest 2025 will have their feet set the exact same way every time they grab a ball off the rack. It’s muscle memory. If you see a player's feet start to splay out or if they start drifting to the side as they move along the arc, they’re getting tired.
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Also, keep an eye on the "reach." Some players have a habit of not fully extending their arm as the clock winds down. They start "short-arming" the ball because they’re panicked about the buzzer. The veterans—the guys who have been here before—will maintain that high release point even if they only have two seconds left for the final three balls.
Breaking Down the Favorites
While we can't name the winner before the trophy is lifted, the archetypes are clear.
- The Returning Champ: There’s always a target on the back of the previous winner. They have the confidence, but they also have the most pressure.
- The Home Team Hero: If the All-Star game is in a city with a high-level shooter, you better believe the crowd is going to be deafening for them. That energy can either carry a player or make them choke.
- The Dark Horse: Watch out for the guy who is shooting $43%$ on a losing team. He’s got nothing to lose and everything to prove.
The three point contest 2025 represents the pinnacle of the most important skill in modern basketball. It’s why we see kids in the park practicing "step-backs" instead of "sky-hooks." It’s a celebration of precision over power.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Shooters:
- Analyze the Release: Watch the 2025 participants in slow motion. Notice how the ball barely touches their palm; it's all fingertips and flick.
- Track the Fatigue: If you’re playing or coaching, use the contest as a lesson in conditioning. Shooting while tired is a completely different skill than shooting while fresh.
- Evaluate the Rack Strategy: Notice where players place their money-ball rack. If they miss the first two on that rack, watch how it affects their mental state for the rest of the round.
- Focus on the "Dip": The fastest shooters in the contest don't dip the ball below their waist when grabbing it from the rack. They catch and fire in one fluid motion.
The contest is a masterclass in repetitive excellence. Whether you're watching for the drama or trying to pick up tips for your own game, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be a historic display of marksmanship. Keep an eye on the injury reports and the late-season surges, as the final roster usually reflects who is "hot" right now, not just who has the best name recognition.