I have often wondered why nobody cares much about free throw percentage in Fantasy Sports — at least, they don’t often write about it. As far as most Fantasy NBA rotisserie leagues are considered, free throw percentage counts just as much as any other category, yet it is given very little consideration when actually drafting a team.

Perhaps one of the reasons that Fantasy Owners discount it so much is that it is so difficult to determine who will actually help or hurt you in that category. Some players might shoot over 90% but only take one or two free throws per game — which certainly doesn’t hurt, but it doesn’t really help much either. Some players might shoot under 60%, but their low number of attempts doesn’t seem to hurt their Fantasy value at all.

Let us look at some of the players who will definitely help or harm you in this category. I have chosen to order them by the number of attempts that they take, because that will most likely make more of a difference in their overall effect on your score than their actual percentages. Their percentages will be listed as well, though.

The Best Free Throw Shooters

• Kobe Bryant – 768 attempts (86.8%) – That’s a LOT of attempts.
• Gilbert Arenas – 718 attempts (84.4%) – That’s not too shabby either, but watch out for his low field goal percentage
• Corey Maggette – 633 attempts (82.0%) – Good choice as long as he is healthy. And he is in a contract year since he can opt out!
• Allen Iverson – 610 attempts (79.5%)
• Vince Carter – 576 attempts (80.2%)
• Kevin Martin – 570 attempts (84.4%) – Last year’s surprise!
• Dirk Nowitzki – 551 attempts (90.4%)
• Andre Iguodala – 551 attempts (82.0%)
• Dwyane Wade – 535 attempts (80.7%)
• Kevin Garnett – 498 attempts (83.5%)
• Zach Randolph – 481 attempts (81.9%)
• Ben Gordon – 440 attempts (86.4%)
• Chauncey Billups – 437 attempts (88.3%) – One of my favorites every year
• Michael Redd – 416 attempts (82.9%)

Also good choices, but without as much influence, are Yao Ming, Richard Hamilton, Paul Pierce, Chris Paul, Mike Bibby, Caron Butler, and Rashard Lewis.

• Dwight Howard (58.6%) – His free throw percentage will kill you!
• Eddy Curry (61.5%)
• Tim Duncan (63.7%)

And be careful of these picks as well…

• Lebron James (69.8%)
• Tracy McGrady (70.7%)
• Gerald Wallace (69.1%)

Although these won’t cause you as much grief, you should also be careful of Josh Smith, Ruben Patterson, Carlos Boozer, Chris Wilcox, and Desmond Mason. Only draft these players if your lineup also included a couple of the best free throw shooters.