NBA Draft 2012: 20 Best Dunkers Available in the Draft

The slam dunk is a phenomenon that's never out of style, and the 2012 NBA draft class has every type of dunker imaginable.

Want a rim-rattling thunder dunk? We've got Kansas' Thomas Robinson.

Want an acrobatic high-riser? We've got Oregon State's Jared Cunningham.

Want a little of both? We've got New Mexico's Drew Gordon.

And that's just the beginning. Check out this list of the 20 best dunkers available in the draft.

Honorable Mention

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Buckeyes

Moe Harkless, St. John's Red Storm

John Henson, UNC Tar Heels

Tony Wroten, Washington Huskies

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky Wildcats

Fab Melo, Syracuse Orange

Tomas Satoransky, Czech Republic

Tyler Zeller, UNC Tar Heels

Robert Sacre, Gonzaga Bulldogs

Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure Bonnies

Mike Scott, Virginia Cavaliers

William Buford, Ohio State Buckeyes

Tornike Shengelia, Republic of Georgia

20. Damian Lillard, Weber State Wildcats

Weber State's Damian Lillard was one of the best mid-major players in the country, and he's an underrated athlete. If you're not sold on his arsenal, check out the dunk in traffic at 0:30 and the left-handed put-back slam at 2:14.

The NCAA's second-best scorer can fill the hoop from all angles. He's a prolific shot creator, outside shooter and fast-break finisher. He'll likely hear his name called in the top 10 later this month.

19. Will Barton, Memphis Tigers

Memphis enjoyed a breakout year from sophomore guard Will Barton, but unfortunately for the Tigers, it was such a good year that he's taking the jump to the pros.

He used his length and agility to notch 18 points and eight rebounds per game and terrorize Conference USA opponents.

Barton needs to bulk up in order to handle the rigors of the NBA, but he'll immediately be a handy role player in transition and getting rebounds from the two or three spot.

18. Kostas Papanikolaou, Greece

He won't stand out athletically in the NBA, but in this play, Greek forward Kostas Papanikolaou shows off his length and his skills in the open floor.

Video footage suggests that Papanikolaou should be a reliable shooter and an active presence on both ends of the floor. He has good hands, a great motor and a knack for getting to the rim. His Euroleague stats aren't impressive, but his potential is.

17. Royce White, Iowa State Cyclones

Royce White was Mr. Everything for Iowa State this year, as he scored, rebounded and dished the rock at will. The 6'8" forward took the Big 12 by storm, earning Conference Newcomer of the Year honors and honorable mention All-American status.

His combination of strength, skills and athleticism enabled him to get past guards and compete with the trees in the paint. I'm impressed by how easily he can dunk in traffic. 

16. Dion Waiters, Syracuse Orange

The one-handed, LeBron-style tomahawk dunk became a regular occurrence for Syracuse star Dion Waiters last season.

In this sequence, he takes a simple on-ball screen and uses his explosiveness to throw down on West Virginia.

The 6'4" sophomore is looking to make it in the NBA as a combo guard or undersized shooting guard, and his athleticism will tempt some lottery teams to select him early.

15. Bradley Beal, Florida Gators

Florida's Bradley Beal isn't ridiculously athletic, but he has the skills to fight through the defense and make a statement.

This cram against South Carolina and a similar one against Alabama show how forceful Beal can be when necessary.

His signature selling point is his jump shot, but the powerful finish is in his tool kit also.

14. Perry Jones, Baylor Bears

Hoops fans in Waco were treated to several above-the-rim performers over the past couple years, including sophomore Perry Jones III.

Jones isn't a pure dunker like his Baylor Bears counterpart, Quincy Acy, but he can send it home emphatically at times. Check out this reverse 360 from his high school days, at the 2010 McDonald's All-American weekend.

13. Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt Commodores

With a 7'4" wingspan, great footwork and the strength of a bull, Vanderbilt's Festus Ezeli has what it takes to be an excellent backup center in the NBA.

The Nigerian enforcer utilized his size and power to score second-chance points and get tons of easy dunks.

Ezeli's slams say "get out of the way," especially the one at 0:22.  

12. Terrence Jones, Kentucky Wildcats

When Terrence Jones dunks, it's more than a dunk; it's a statement.

He had some memorable slams during his two years at Kentucky, acting as a physical enforcer in the paint for the Wildcats.

Jones' game is still a bit raw and needs development, but he already has the strength and motor to succeed at the next level. He'll be effective on the glass and in transition.

11. Terrence Ross, Washington Huskies

This alley-oop, two-handed 360 immediately put Terrence Ross on the map as one of the nation's best dunkers.

What's awesome is that it's not the only time Ross spun and finished a lob like that from Tony Wroten. The Washington Huskies duo did it again later that month against UC-Santa Barbara.

Ross is projected to be a first-round selection, and he might even sneak into the lottery if his stock stays high enough.

10. Kris Joseph, Syracuse Orange

Kris Joseph glided to the hoop for dozens of dunks every winter during his four-year career at Syracuse.

On the 2011-12 run-and-gun Orange, Joseph could usually be found capping off fast breaks with alley-oop hammers.

The 6'7" slasher from Montreal uses his long strides and leaping prowess to attack the basket. Joseph will be selected late in the draft, but he could end up being a great NBA role player as a swingman.

9. Harrison Barnes, UNC Tar Heels

His jump shot is the tool that makes him a valuable NBA prospect, but don't sleep on Harrison Barnes' aerial skills.

North Carolina's top scorer can elevate and drop the hammer with authority when necessary.

Whether it's a fast break, a put-back or a drop-step cram, Barnes can make the defense pay. If he improves his ball-handling a little more, he'll be even more of a weapon to attack the hoop on a consistent basis. 

8. Jared Cunningham, Oregon State Beavers

The Pacific Northwest goes unnoticed most of the time, but every once in a while, guys like Jared Cunningham wake everyone up to the reality that the Northwest can play.

Oregon State's high-flying guard delivers a jaw-dropper here. His leaping ability and body control are astounding as he twists around to stuff home the lob. It's easily one of the top five dunks of the year.

7. Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut Huskies

Connecticut's sub-par season and Jeremy Lamb's unassertive disposition dropped his draft stock slightly, but his athleticism hasn't diminished at all.

Lamb's length and agility equipped him to make some sensational plays in the Big East over the past couple years and blossom into one of the league's best scorers. If he gets stronger, he'll be a reliable shooting guard in the association.

6. Meyers Leonard, Illinois Fighting Illini

The Big Ten got a rude awakening this winter when Illinois sophomore Meyers Leonard had a breakout season. He emerged as one of the best post players in the Midwest.

His jump shot is vastly improved, and his all-around skills are noteworthy, but dunking is still what he does best.

Leonard uses his 7'1" build and underrated agility to viciously throw down the rock on Chicago State in this highlight. Look out below!

5. Anthony Davis, Kentucky Wildcats

College basketball's 2012 hero will soon be prowling the paint for the New Orleans Hornets after he's selected first overall in the draft.

When Anthony Davis isn't busy swatting shots into the fifth row, he's jamming home lobs and cleaning up missed shots with follow-up slams. Check out the agility and the reach to send home Terrence Jones' miss.

NBA opponents take note: If you don't box Davis out, you're toast.

4. Drew Gordon, New Mexico Lobos

The double-double skills of New Mexico forward Drew Gordon helped the Lobos win the Mountain West Conference title as part of a 26-7 season.

Gordon's exceptional athleticism and coordination are on full display here as he flushes a reverse alley-oop over Louisville in the NCAA Tournament.

NBA executives are hoping he can use those leaping skills to be an effective defender and finisher next year.

3. Andre Drummond, Connecticut Huskies

Jim Calhoun's loss is the NBA's gain. Connecticut Huskies giant Andre Drummond's brief stay in college was just a stepping stone to the professional game.

One of the most spectacular physical specimens of the draft, he has an NBA-ready body and will be a presence in the paint for years.

Skill-wise, he's far from being lottery-worthy. But it's dunks like this one against Syracuse that gets scouts excited about his potential.

2. Thomas Robinson, Kansas Jayhawks

In this made-for-television play, Thomas Robinson unleashes the skill and power that makes him a top-five lock for the NBA draft.

The Kansas Jayhawks forward bulldozed his way to Big 12 Player of the Year honors and was named a first-team All-American.

Even though he's undersized (height-wise, at least) for a power forward, his strength, explosiveness and work ethic will serve him well. Don't be surprised if the Charlotte Bobcats pick him up at No. 2.

1. Quincy Acy, Baylor Bears

When Quincy Acy gets the ball in the paint, there's only one thing he wants to do with it.

Acy served as a punisher for the Baylor Bears, with the ability to slam it home in traffic or on the break. The rest of his basketball repertoire is almost non-existent, as he's primarily a rim-rocker on offense and rim-protector on defense.

The Texas Longhorns (see video) are just glad he's no longer in the Big 12.

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