The story of the most consecutive free throws made is one of discipline, focus, and extraordinary consistency. While basketball legends struggle from the free-throw line during games, a few remarkable individuals have spent years mastering a shot that looks simple but demands complete concentration.
From Ted St. Martin’s unbelievable 5,221-shot streak to Dr. Tom Amberry’s iconic 2,750 makes at age 71, the journey of these records is one of the most fascinating chapters in basketball history.
Evolution of the Consecutive Free-Throw World Record
The pursuit began long before the modern era. In 1935, Harold “Bunny” Levitt set a massive early mark with 499 consecutive free throws, proving that free-throw mastery could become a specialized skill.
Ted St. Martin’s Era of Dominance
From the 1970s to the mid-1990s, Ted St. Martin became the most accurate free-throw shooter the world had ever seen. His list of streaks is unmatched:
| Streak | Shooter | Year & Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1,238 | Ted St. Martin | Feb 21, 1975 |
| 1,704 | Ted St. Martin | Feb 28, 1975 |
| 2,036 | Ted St. Martin | Jun 25, 1977 |
| 5,221 (All-Time Record) | Ted St. Martin | Apr 28, 1996, Jacksonville, Florida |
His final streak of 5,221 consecutive free throws in 7 hours 20 minutes remains one of the most remarkable documented shooting achievements in history.
Read Also: Highest Triple-Double Achievements in NBA History
Tom Amberry: A Free-Throw Phenomenon
In 1993, at age 71, retired podiatrist Dr. Tom Amberry shocked the sports world when he made 2,750 consecutive free throws in Seal Beach, California.
He stopped only because the gym was closing for the night.
Amberry’s story became iconic because:
- He began shooting seriously only after retiring.
- He practiced 500 shots a day and made almost all of them.
- He developed the famous “Amberry Method” of Bend, Focus, Follow Through.
- He became a teacher to NBA players and a global free-throw ambassador.
Even though St. Martin later surpassed his number, Amberry’s streak became one of the most celebrated achievements in Guinness history.
The Two Greatest Free-Throw Shooters of All Time
Ted St. Martin: The Absolute No. 1
- Record: 5,221 consecutive free throws
- Time taken: 7 hours 20 minutes
- Known for: unmatched consistency and long-duration streaks
- Specialty: multi-ball, high-volume shooting demonstrations
- Status: Holds the current world record for most free throws made in a row
Dr. Tom Amberry: The Global Icon
- Record: 2,750 consecutive free throws (age 71)
- Became a celebrity after his streak
- Appeared on TV shows, including Letterman
- Trained NBA teams, college teams, and world-class athletes
- Regarded as the greatest “teacher of the free throw”
- Known for making 500 straight shots on 473 different days
- Motto: “A free throw takes six seconds — you can’t think of anything else.”
Why These Records Matter in Free throws test:
- Concentration
- Muscle memory
- Consistency
- Mental discipline
In games, even elite players like Wilt Chamberlain and Shaq struggled at the line. Yet shooters like St. Martin and Amberry showed what’s possible with absolute focus.
Other Major Free-Throw Records (Quick Highlights)
Most Free Throws in 24 Hours
| Rank | Shooter | Made | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fred L. Newman | 20,371 | 1990 |
| 2 | Jeff Liles | 17,227 | 1990 |
Most Free Throws in 1 Hour
The one-hour free-throw record has seen incredible progress, and the latest milestone was set in 2025.
| Rank | Shooter | Free Throws Made | Year & Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Martin (USA) | 2,494 | Mar 26, 2025 – Naples, Maine | Current world record, 89.77% accuracy |
| 2 | Perry Dissmore (USA) | 2,395 | May 13, 2018 – Tallahassee | Former record |
| 3 | Bob J. Fisher (USA) | 2,371 | Dec 17, 2011 – Kansas | High-volume accuracy |
| 4 | Perry Dissmore (USA) | 1,968 | Sep 14, 2010 – New York | Earlier record |
| 5 | Perry Dissmore (USA) | 1,926 | Oct 9, 2009 – Florida | Early milestone |
Most Blindfolded Consecutive Free Throws
- Fred L. Newman – 88 (1978)
Greatest Consecutive Free-Throw Streaks Ever Recorded
| Rank | Shooter | Consecutive FT Made | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ted St. Martin | 5,221 | 1996 | All-time record |
| 2 | Tom Amberry | 2,750 | 1993 | Stopped only because gym closed |
| 3 | Ted St. Martin | 2,036 | 1977 | Earlier record |
| 4 | Ted St. Martin | 1,704 | 1975 | Demonstration streak |
| 5 | Ted St. Martin | 1,238 | 1975 | Multiple records in same year |
| 6 | Harold Levitt | 499 | 1935 | Early landmark record |
See Also: Most Points Scored in an NBA Game
Did Anyone Come Close to Breaking the Records?
No significant attempt has matched the scale of St. Martin’s 5,221 streak.
His record still stands strong and is widely regarded as nearly impossible to beat without years of specialized training.
Conclusion
The world of free-throw records is a tribute to discipline and precision. While basketball superstars dominate games, shooters like Ted St. Martin and Dr. Tom Amberry have shown what happens when focus becomes an art form.
With 5,221 unbroken makes, Ted St. Martin stands alone at the top.
With 2,750 iconic makes, Tom Amberry remains the face of free-throw perfection.
These legends proved that sometimes, the most extraordinary feats in sports happen far away from the bright lights — one shot at a time.
FAQs
1. Who holds the world record for most free throws made in a row?
Ted St. Martin, with 5,221 consecutive free throws made on April 28, 1996.
2. Is Tom Amberry’s 2,750 still recognized?
Yes, it remains one of the most respected streaks ever, and was Guinness-certified at the time.
3. How old was Tom Amberry when he made 2,750 free throws?
He was 71 years old.
4. How long did Ted St. Martin take to make 5,221 shots?
He completed the streak in 7 hours and 20 minutes.
5. Are these records made in official games?
No, these are shooting demonstrations, not competitive matches.
6. Why do NBA players struggle with free throws but these shooters don’t?
Game players deal with pressure, fatigue, and defensive intensity.
Record shooters focus purely on repetition and technique.
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