The glorious history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) has been a witness to numerous path-breaking NBA players including LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and many others who have ruled the court and have successfully led their teams to a phenomenal streak of victories throughout their star-studded professional basketball careers.
The history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) has also been a witness to numerous legendary NBA stars who have repeatedly stopped the opposition’s possession and have fearlessly intercepted a pass taking the ball away from the ball-handler resulting into some of the most memorable steals in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Have you ever wondered about the top four NBA stars with the highest number of steals in their careers? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four NBA players with the highest number of steals in their star-studded careers.
Top 4 NBA Players With Most Steals in Career
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John Stockton – 3,265 Steals
The legendary American former professional basketball player John Stockton is at the first spot in our list of the top four NBA players with the most steals in their glorious careers. Often hailed as one of the greatest point guards of all-time, John Stockton spent his entire NBA career which spanned from 1984 to 2003 with Utah Jazz. John Stockton played a crucial role in leading Utah Jazz to the playoffs in all of his 19 seasons and also led the franchise to two NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998.
Although the franchise ended up losing to Chicago Bulls in both the finals, John Stockton received enormous fame and recognition from the millions of NBA fans from all over the world for his unmatched exploits in the field. Throughout his glorious NBA career, John Stockton achieved a spine-chilling total of 3,265 steals which continues to be the highest aggregate as of 2025 speaking volumes about the unmatched legacy that he has left behind.
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Jason Kidd – 2,684 Steals
At the second spot in our list of the top four NBA players with the highest number of steals in their star-studded careers, we have the iconic American former professional basketball player and current head coach for the Dallas Mavericks franchise of the National Basketball Association (NBA), Jason Kidd. Widely regarded as one of the most versatile point guards in the history of the NBA, Jason Kidd is a 10-time NBA All-Star, a six-time All-NBA Team member, and a nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team member, speaking volumes about his dominance in the league. Also, with a record total of 2,684 steals throughout his successful NBA career, Jason Kidd continues to be at the second spot on our list as of 2025.
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Michael Jordan – 2,514 Steals
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four NBA players with the most steals in their glorious careers, we have the legendary American former professional basketball player Michael Jordan, who played a record total of fifteen seasons in the NBA between 1984 and 2003, and clinched a record total of six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.
Often regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, Michael Jordan continues to hold the record for the third-highest number of steals throughout his glorious NBA career, i.e. 2,514 steals. Throughout his star-studded NBA career, Michael Jordan clinched a record total of six NBA championship titles and was named as the NBA finals MVP for a record total of six times in the years 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
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Gary Payton – 2,445 Steals
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four NBA players with the highest number of steals in their star-studded careers, we have another American former basketball sensation, Gary Payton, who played a record total of seventeen seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is still widely hailed as one of the greatest point guards of all-time by millions of basketball aficionados from all over the world.
Often popularly referred to as ‘the Glove’, Gary Payton clinched the prestigious NBA championship title in 2006 and was named as an NBA All-Star a record total of nine times. Also, throughout his star-studded professional basketball career, Gary Payton achieved a total of 2,445 steals, which continues to be the fourth-highest aggregate as of 2025, ranking him at the fourth spot in our list.
