Most Consecutive Basketball Free Throws

5,221 free throws in a row without a single miss/Human Records & Feats

The record for the most consecutive basketball free throws is 5,221, set by Ted St. Martin in April 1996. St. Martin, a former Guinness World Record adjudicator, spent over 7 hours shooting without missing a single free throw from the standard distance of 4.57 meters (15 feet). The free throw is often called the 'simplest shot in basketball,' yet even NBA professionals average only about 77% accuracy. The biomechanics of an optimal free throw involve a release angle of about 52 degrees, 2 to 3 revolutions per second of backspin, and a launch speed of about 4.5 m/s. Mental focus and muscle memory are critical, as the physical demands of each shot are minimal.