Stephen Hendry Names Top 16 Snooker Players

Stephen Hendry has named his top 16 snooker players of the last 50 years, sparking debate among fans.

Hendry considered success, including World Championships and ranking titles, as well as his personal enjoyment of watching players.

He included modern players like Kyren Wilson and Mark Allen, but omitted legends like John Spencer and Ray Reardon.

The list features a mix of current and former players, including Neil Robertson, Ding Junhui, and Shaun Murphy.

Hendry ranked himself second, behind Ronnie O'Sullivan, citing O'Sullivan's impressive record of eight Masters and eight UK Championships.

Hendry explained that he didn't include players he hadn't watched play, like John Spencer and Ray Reardon, despite their achievements.

He also omitted former world champions like Ken Doherty and John Parrott, who didn't make the top 16.

The full list, revealed on the World Snooker Tour's Snooker Club podcast, includes:

15 = Kyren Wilson, with 1 World Championship and 10 ranking titles.

15 = Mark Allen, with 2 Triple Crowns and 12 ranking titles.

14. Alex Higgins, with 2 World Championships and 5 Triple Crowns.

13. Paul Hunter, with 3 Triple Crowns and 3 ranking titles.

12. Neil Robertson, with 1 World Championship and 26 ranking titles, as of 2026.

11. Ding Junhui, with 4 Triple Crowns and 15 ranking titles.

10. Shaun Murphy, with 1 World Championship and 13 ranking titles.

9. Zhao Xintong, with 1 World Championship and 6 ranking titles.

8. Jimmy White, with 2 Triple Crowns and 10 ranking titles.

7. Steve Davis, with 6 World Championships and 28 ranking titles.

6. Judd Trump, with 1 World Championship and 31 ranking titles.

5. Mark Selby, with 4 World Championships and 25 ranking titles.

3 = Mark Williams, with 3 World Championships and 27 ranking titles.

3 = John Higgins, with 4 World Championships and 33 ranking titles.

2. Stephen Hendry, with 7 World Championships and 36 ranking titles.

1. Ronnie O'Sullivan, with 7 World Championships and 41 ranking titles, as of 2026.

Hendry's top two picks, O'Sullivan and himself, have dominated the sport in recent decades.

O'Sullivan's record, including 17 maximums and 1,400 century breaks, earned him the top spot.

Hendry's list is sure to spark debate among snooker fans, with some surprising omissions and inclusions.

The rankings reflect Hendry's personal opinions and preferences, rather than a purely objective assessment.

As a seven-time world champion, Hendry's opinions carry significant weight in the snooker community.

His list provides a unique perspective on the sport's top players over the last 50 years.