Ranking the NBA's 50 Best Dunkers of All Time
In many ways, the slam dunk is the quintessential representation of basketball. It's athleticism in its purest form: beauty, violence and power compacted into a singular, crowd-roiling moment.
Being a great dunker alone can weave a player's name permanently into the fabric of the sport's history. It can also boost the legend of an already great star.
To sort out the best to ever do it, Bleacher Report's NBA writers and editors convened for a staff vote. Rankers were instructed to prioritize in-game dunking ability, with dunk-contest performance a major component as well. The panel also considered signature moments, style, creativity and era impact.
Disagree with our list? Sound off in the app comments.
Welcome to NBA GOAT week, where the B/R staff names the 50 Best Dunkers, 99 Best Defenders, 99 Best Shooters and 50 Best Trash-Talkers in league history, as well as the best player from every decade. Check back every day this week for each installment.
Player summaries by Matt Velazquez.
50. J.R. Smith
1 of 50
Years: 2004-20 | Teams: NOH, DEN, NYK, CLE, LAL
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Gary Neal, 2010-11 regular season, Nuggets vs. Spurs | Watch Here
J.R. Smith eventually settled into a three-point specialist role, but early in his career, he was an athletic leaper who was a threat to put any defender on a poster.
As a rookie, he made his debut at the Slam Dunk Contest, though he had trouble getting his (albeit impressive) dunks down on the first couple of attempts and didn't advance. He then was a late substitute for Rudy Gay in the 2009 event, where he also was unable to make the finals.
While his exploits in the dunk contest weren't spectacular, his dunk over Gary Neal in December 2010 was extraordinary. The play highlighted all of Smith's best qualities, as he pushed the pace, blew by Ime Udoka, and soared from the middle of the paint through Neal's chest for the and-one slam. It was one of the best dunks of the 2010-11 season, and definitely the pinnacle of Smith's dunking career.
High Vote: 13
49. Charles Barkley
2 of 50
Years: 1984-2000 | Teams: PHI, PHX, HOU
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Freight-train dunk through the Pistons defense, 1989-90 regular season, 76ers vs. Pistons | Watch Here
In all aspects of basketball and in life, Charles Barkley is brash, bold, powerful, and in your face. His dunking style is no exception.
Though he never participated in the NBA's Slam Dunk Contest, Barkley was a fearsome in-game dunker during his Hall of Fame career. With his size, strength, and a full head of steam, he could muscle his way to the hoop for an emphatic throwdown regardless of who or how many stood in his path.
Often, the end result wasn't overly flashy. Sure, Barkley had his fair share of tomahawks, windmills, posters, and double-pumps, but oftentimes, he'd opt for a powerful two-handed jam that threatened to rip the rim right off the backboard. And being Charles Barkley, he was apt to make sure his opponents heard all about what he had just done as they made their way back across the court.
High Vote: 27
48. DeMar DeRozan
3 of 50
Years: 2009-present | Teams: TOR, SAS, CHI, SAC
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Timofey Mozgov, 2012-13 regular season, Raptors vs. Nuggets | Watch Here
More than anything, DeMar DeRozan will be remembered as a master of the midrange. But don't forget that DeRozan has some dunking chops, too, and he was especially impressive and accomplished as a dunker early in his career.
As a rookie, DeRozan won the "Slam Dunk-In" during the Rookie Challenge game to earn a spot in the Slam Dunk Contest, where he finished just a hair behind three-time champ Nate Robinson (more on him later) in a vote split 51 percent to 49 percent. He also appeared in the 2011 dunk contest.
Official contests aside, DeRozan was a threat to catch a body during much of his career, using his explosive first step to clear himself a runway. His poster of Timofey Mozgov during the 2012-13 season represents the pinnacle of DeRozan's dunking ability, as he summitted the 7'1" center with relative ease for a ferocious throwdown.
High Vote: 29
47. Shannon Brown
4 of 50
Years: 2006-14 | Teams: CLE, CHI, CHA, LAL, PHX, SAS, NYK, MIA
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Chris Andersen, 2009 playoffs, Lakers vs. Nuggets | Watch Here
Before he ever arrived in the NBA, Shannon Brown had already distinguished himself as an athletic phenom. In 2003, during his senior year of high school, he pulled off multiple impressive dunks, including a one-handed 360, in the nationally televised McDonald's High School Dunk Contest, where he finished second to LeBron James. No shame in that game.
Brown was a bit of a journeyman in the NBA, but his athleticism continually drew attention and earned him opportunities. His reported vertical leap of 44.5 inches kept teams interested as he sought to find a team where he could set down roots. Brown broke out as a dependable reserve during the Los Angeles Lakers' title run in 2009—a postseason that included his poster dunk over Chris "Birdman" Andersen.
He parlayed that into his best two-year stretch as a pro, as he stuck with the Lakers and brought energy, athleticism, and blink-and-you-might-miss-it highlight potential off the bench. He also earned a spot in the 2010 Slam Dunk Contest during that stretch, his only appearance as a pro.
High Vote: 24
46. Derrick Jones Jr.
5 of 50
Years: 2016-present | Teams: PHX, MIA, POR, CHI, DAL, LAC
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Off-backboard between-the-legs dunk, 2020 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
Though Derrick Jones Jr. was already a known and accomplished dunker, it was at the 2020 Slam Dunk Contest that "Airplane Mode" truly took flight.
Pushed to a dunk-off by Aaron Gordon, Jones' array of dunks that night was nothing short of breathtaking. He went over Bam Adebayo and through his legs for a lefty slam. He pulled off a reverse tornado, again through his legs. He upped the ante by jumping over two people and going through his legs.
When Jones had an assistant throw the ball off the backboard so he could jump over him, catch it off the backboard midair, put the ball through his legs, and jam it home, all Gordon could say was, "That's tough" on repeat. Jones still had more in his bag, adding two more impressive dunks before taking home the trophy by a one-point margin over Gordon.
Jones' leaping ability also translated to numerous in-game highlight dunks, but the show he put on at the United Center in 2020 was legendary.
High Vote: 19
45. Tom Chambers
6 of 50
Years: 1981-98 | Teams: SDC/LAC, SEA, PHX, UTA, CHA, PHI
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Mark Jackson, 1988-89 regular season, Suns vs. Knicks | Watch Here
If you didn't follow the NBA during the 1980s and early 1990s, you might not be familiar with Tom Chambers' game. And make no mistake about it, the 6'10" big man had game.
Chambers, a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, was an athletic and ferocious in-game dunker who specialized in throwing down in traffic. He navigated the paint with grace and power, exploiting even small gaps to rise up for powerful two-handed jams, expert-level reverses to avoid would-be shot-blockers, and powerful tomahawks, among others.
His most memorable dunk came in the late '80s, when he ran the floor and soared over Mark Jackson for a slam. As he ascended, his knee went above Jackson's chest, and the still image of him flying a full body length above Jackson—who was forced helplessly to the side—is almost hard to believe.
Chambers didn't make it out of the first round of his only Slam Dunk Contest appearance in 1987, but he made up for it in front of his home crowd in Seattle by earning All-Star Game MVP the next day.
High Vote: 25
44. Baron Davis
7 of 50
Years: 1999-2012 | Teams: CHH, NOH, GSW, LAC, CLE, NYK
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Andrei Kirilenko, 2007 playoffs, Warriors vs. Jazz | Watch Here
A 6'3" point guard, Baron Davis showed off his dunking prowess and athleticism when he won the 1997 McDonald's All-American dunk contest. When he arrived in the NBA a couple years later, he was never afraid of going into the paint and challenging whoever dared to get in his way.
During his career, Davis had poster dunks over the likes of Dikembe Mutombo, Vin Baker, Eddie Griffin, and other larger defenders. Others, like Kevin Garnett, got caught in the wrong situation against Davis and had to make a business decision to avoid truly getting postered.
But of all the highlight dunks from Davis' career, his throwdown over Andrei Kirilenko in the 2007 playoffs undoubtedly takes the cake. That dunk showcased all of Davis' greatest qualities as a dunker, including his quickness, his hops, his ferocity, his fearlessness, and his showmanship, all wrapped into one combustible package that sent Oracle Arena into a frenzy.
High Vote: 27
43. Shaedon Sharpe
8 of 50
Years: 2022-present | Teams: POR
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Justin Champagnie, 2024-25 regular season, Trail Blazers vs. Wizards | Watch Here (0:25 of video)
Shaedon Sharpe is 23 years old and only has four NBA seasons under his belt, so he still has time to potentially rise up in these rankings in the future. That being said, what he's already shown so far has been incredibly impressive.
Though he had already displayed some elite athleticism on prior dunks, Sharpe truly announced himself during the 2024-25 season by stealing a pass from Justin Champagnie and making Champagnie pay by soaring through him for a poster dunk. While that went down as a dunk of the year candidate, during the next season, he arguably took things to another level.
In a world where verticals are the talk of the town, Sharpe left onlookers awestruck by nearly going horizontal on a dunk over Russell Westbrook in December 2025. He drove baseline, jumped from outside of the paint, made contact with Westbrook's chest, and extended in near-horizontal fashion to throw down the one-handed jam.
Buy Sharpe stock now, but with some more dunks like those, he could be a major riser in years to come.
High Vote: 20
42. Andre Iguodala
9 of 50
Years: 2004-23 | Teams: PHI, DEN, GSW, MIA
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Behind-the-backboard dunk from Allen Iverson, 2006 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
Prime Andre Iguodala was a threat to dunk on anyone's head. From Kyle Korver to Paul Pierce to LeBron James and even Yao Ming, if Iguodala got clearance for takeoff, he was going to pull back his right arm and throw down with authority regardless of who was in his vicinity.
As impressive as he was as an in-game dunker, though, Iguodala may be best remembered for his innovation during the 2006 Slam Dunk Contest.
During that contest, he brought out Allen Iverson to help him with a dunk that hadn't been seen before. Both men stood behind the backboard, where Iverson threw the ball off the glass. Iguodala came running from among the cameramen and first row of fans, catching the ball in midair behind the glass, ducking underneath the backboard, and throwing down a reverse slam with authority.
That dunk wasn't enough for Iguodala to win that contest, but it was undoubtedly the dunk of the night and deserved a better result.
High Vote: 22
41. Connie Hawkins
10 of 50
Years: 1967-76 | Teams: PIT/MIN Pipers, MIA Floridians, PHX, LAL, ATL
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: One-handed palming tomahawk, vintage ABA/NBA highlight reels | Watch Here
A former Harlem Globetrotter and dunking pioneer, Connie Hawkins paved the way for many of the elite dunkers who came after him. What set Hawkins apart, though, was his massive hands, which allowed him to palm and manipulate the ball in ways that most other players simply couldn't—and still can't.
With hands measuring at upwards of 10.5 inches long and 11 inches wide, Hawkins was able to keep a firm grip on the ball without needing to bring a second hand into the equation. He could palm the ball with his strong right hand, go up for a dunk, and then gracefully and single-handedly move the ball around the outstretched arm of the defender for a flush without losing control.
Of course, that wasn't Hawkins' only move. He also had the speed, athleticism, and power to go through and over defenders for powerful dunks on the break or in traffic. Still, the way he palmed the ball for dunks was innovative and awe-inspiring back then, and dunks like those would have undoubtedly gone viral now.
High Vote: 4
40. Paul George
11 of 50
Years: 2010-present | Teams: IND, OKC, LAC, PHI
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Chris "Birdman" Andersen, 2013 playoffs, Pacers vs. Heat | Watch Here
During NBA games, steals and other live-ball turnovers can lead to one-on-none situations. Sometimes, a player will opt for a simple layup or a run-of-the-mill dunk.
Paul George, especially early in his career, isn't one of those people. Given an opportunity like that, George would seemingly feel the fans leaning toward the edge of their seats and put on a show.
George's in-game throwdowns include 360s, windmills, double-pumps, and elbow-hangs on the rim, among other exploits. His showmanship gave him a reputation as an exciting dunker who could go deep into his bag of tricks at any moment.
Of course, George didn't just dunk in isolation. A threat to attack the rack both on and off the ball, George could also go up in traffic and finish powerfully regardless of who dared to challenge him. During the 2013 playoffs—the year in which he made his superstar turn—George blew by LeBron James and posterized Chris Andersen, sending the Birdman to the ground in the process. It was one of George's many highlight dunks, but on that stage, it helped put him on the map as a force to be reckoned with.
High Vote: 19
39. John Wall
12 of 50
Years: 2010-23 | Teams: WAS, HOU, LAC
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Reverse-pump dunk over Wizards mascot G-Man, 2014 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
An athletic point guard known for dishing out dimes and racking up steals, John Wall wasn't exactly a prolific in-game dunker. He averaged less than half a dunk per game for his career, and maxed out at 47 dunks during the 2011-12 season.
But when he wanted to flex his dunking skills, the 6'3" Wall had plenty to offer. As far as in-game dunks, he could tomahawk the ball with either hand, go up and over larger defenders, pull off a 360, go behind his back, and more.
His dunking peak arguably came during the 2014 Slam Dunk Contest, when he pulled off a reverse-pump dunk over Wizards mascot G-Man. That year, the contest took on a new freestyle team format, and his dunk over G-Man earned him Dunker of the Night recognition and helped the East claim a 3-0 victory over the West.
High Vote: 32
38. Kevin Johnson
13 of 50
Years: 1987-2000 | Teams: CLE, PHX
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Hakeem Olajuwon, 1994 playoffs, Suns vs. Rockets | Watch Here (0:51 of video)
A 6'1" floor general, Kevin Johnson could still rise up and catch a body if he wanted to. While dunking wasn't a big part of his game, his biggest throwdowns remain memorable.
In 1992, Johnson took out some frustrations against his former team by rising up for a ferocious slam over Cleveland Cavaliers big man Hot Rod Williams, who stood at 6'11". Johnson's most iconic dunk came two years later during the 1994 NBA playoffs against the Houston Rockets. In Game 4, Johnson drove baseline right at Hakeem Olajuwon—one of the greatest shot blockers of that era and of all time.
"I knew Hakeem was going to take me for granted," Johnson recalled. "I go up, he's going up, we're going up, then he started going down, [and] I'm still going up, BAM!"
Johnson's dunk sent the Phoenix crowd into a frenzy. Near half court, Olajuwon confronted him.
"You got me, little man," the Hall of Famer admitted. "Don't try it again, little man."
That dunk alone vaulted Johnson into the conversation of elite in-game playoff dunks. He didn't have to try it again.
High Vote: 16
37. Harold Miner
14 of 50
Years: 1992-96 | Teams: MIA, CLE
Signature Style: Contest Specialist
Iconic Dunk: Cuffed windmill, 1993 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
As a player, Harold Miner didn't last all that long in the NBA. The 6'5" shooting guard appeared in 200 games over four seasons, averaging 9.0 points before retiring because of persistent knee injuries.
As a dunker, though, Miner made the most of his short stay in the league.
During his rookie season, Miner participated in the Slam Dunk Contest and announced himself as a new force on the scene with a powerful debut. Dubbed "Baby Jordan" during his amateur days because of his athleticism and leaping ability, he ran away with the victory and added an unnecessary exclamation point with a cuffed windmill when the win was already in hand.
In 1995, Miner returned to the Slam Dunk Contest and used some of the same powerful dunks to again dominate the competition, becoming just the third two-time dunk contest winner in NBA history.
High Vote: 30
36. Josh Smith
15 of 50
Years: 2004-16 | Teams: ATL, DET, HOU, LAC, NOP
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Dominique Wilkins tribute windmill, 2005 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
From the time he arrived in the league, Josh Smith set the expectation that he was going to get to the rim. During his rookie season, the 6'9" forward threw down 114 jams, with those dunks representing about 20 percent of his total field goal attempts.
Midway through that rookie season, Smith used an impressive array of dunks, including a tribute to Dominique Wilkins that earned a standing ovation from the Hall of Famer, to knock off Amar'e Stoudemire in the 2005 Slam Dunk Contest. Smith wasn't able to defend his title in 2006, but his in-game dunking prowess continued to grow.
During his first nine seasons in the league—all with the Atlanta Hawks—Smith averaged over 100 dunks per season, including a career-high 134 in 2009-10. With his mighty left arm, he collected posters of Brook Lopez, Eduardo Najera, and others, and in March 2010, he had an electric buzzer-beating put-back dunk to lift the Hawks to a victory over the Orlando Magic.
High Vote: 22
35. Mac McClung
16 of 50
Years: 2021-present | Teams: CHI, LAL, PHI, ORL
Signature Style: Contest Specialist
Iconic Dunk: 540 windmill two-handed reverse, 2023 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here (1:40 of video)
There are contest specialists, and then there are contest specialists. Mac McClung belongs in a category all his own.
To wit, McClung won three straight Slam Dunk Contests from 2023-25. In his whole career, he has only three in-game dunks total. Granted, he's been mostly in the G League since going undrafted in 2021 and has only appeared in 17 NBA games, but his ratio of in-game dunks to contest victories is untouchable.
McClung's gravity-defying, acrobatic dunks were widely credited with "saving" the dunk contest during his three-peat run from 2023-25. Doing things like a 540 windmill two-handed reverse, tapping the ball off the backboard before dunking, jumping over Shaquille O'Neal, jumping over a car, nearly hitting his head on the rim on almost every attempt, and dunking two balls at the same time made McClung must-see TV.
Unfortunately for McClung (and fans), the NBA opted not to invite him back to defend his crown at the 2026 contest. According to McClung, some players didn't want to participate if he was going to be in it, but hopefully he can put his dunking on display again before his career is over.
High Vote: 4
34. Zion Williamson
17 of 50
Years: 2019-present | Teams: NOP
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Game-ending 360 windmill, 2022-23 regular season, Pelicans vs. Suns | Watch Here
As a high-school and college player, Zion Williamson's unique mix of size, speed, athleticism, and power made him a must-watch prospect. Though his NBA career has often been marred by injuries, Williamson has still shown glimpses of the strength and burst that made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2019.
The burly, 6'6" forward has shown off his hops with 360 windmills on the break, showcased his power with poster dunks of bigs like Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, and he's seemingly always a threat to throw down an alley-oop no matter where his teammate is or where they throw the ball.
Williamson's power and athleticism would likely lend themselves perfectly to the Slam Dunk Contest, but as of yet, he has not participated. In 2024, Williamson said he would participate in the dunk contest if he was selected as an All-Star, but he did not make the roster that year. Hopefully Williamson can stay healthy and eventually show what he can do as a dunker during All-Star Weekend.
High Vote: 21
33. Scottie Pippen
18 of 50
Years: 1987-2004 | Teams: CHI, HOU, POR
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Patrick Ewing, 1994 playoffs, Bulls vs. Knicks | Watch Here
Scottie Pippen was a high-flying Hall of Famer who was able to use his leaping ability to throw down some iconic slams.
Without a doubt, Pippen's best-known dunk was a ferocious poster of Patrick Ewing in the 1994 playoffs—complete with a shove to the ground and stand-over of the Knicks center—that was emblematic of his style and skill set.
However, Pippen, with his 6'7" frame and 7'3" wingspan, also had the glide to pull off a free-throw line dunk in the 1990 Slam Dunk Contest. It wasn't quite as impressive as the iconic free-throw line dunk of his Chicago Bulls teammate, Michael Jordan, but it was awesome nonetheless.
High Vote: 29
32. Giannis Antetokounmpo
19 of 50
Years: 2013-present | Teams: MIL
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Alley-oop over Tim Hardaway Jr., 2017-18 regular season, Bucks vs. Knicks | Watch Here
As a 6'11" athletic marvel, Giannis Antetokounmpo can simply do things with the ball in his hands that others can't, making it look like it takes no skill at all. He can go from halfcourt to dunking on someone's head with just one dribble, using his long strides and gather step to his advantage. He can slither deftly among defenders to get to the cup, or he can see his opponents setting up a wall and blow right through it.
In 2018-19, the first of his back-to-back MVP seasons, Antetokounmpo assaulted the rim to the tune of 279 dunks, accounting for almost a quarter of all his field-goal attempts.
Defining Antetokounmpo's signature dunk likely comes down to a matter of preference. When he literally jumped over Tim Hardaway Jr.—a move usually reserved for dunk contests—it earned recognition as the league's Dunk of the Year. That said, no dunk may ever be more important than his Valley Oop throwdown in Game 5 of the 2021 Finals.
Whether you prefer one of those or a different slam, you really can't go wrong.
High Vote: 16
31. Larry Nance
20 of 50
Years: 1981-94 | Teams: PHX, CLE
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Rock-the-cradle dunk, 1984 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
All-Star Weekend in 1984 marked the inaugural Slam Dunk Contest. Unlike now when big names shy away, the 1984 edition included a field of nine players, including stars like Julius Erving, Dominique Wilkins, and Ralph Sampson.
One of the less-heralded names in that group was Larry Nance, who had just earned his first All-Star berth in his fourth season. By the end of the night, though, Nance's name would be much more well-known, as he bested the field, including squeaking by the 34-year-old Erving in the finals, to take home the first-ever Slam Dunk Contest trophy.
During the contest, Nance showed off some innovative and impressive moves. He threw down a reverse windmill, dunked two balls at the same time, went off the backboard for multiple slams, and pulled off his rock-the-cradle dunk, which his son, Larry Nance Jr., later paid homage to in the 2018 dunk contest.
High Vote: 24
30. Donovan Mitchell
21 of 50
Years: 2017-present | Teams: UTA, CLE
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Vince Carter tribute 360 windmill, 2018 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
With deft ball-handling, quickness, power, and great burst, Donovan Mitchell is a threat to rise up for a slam on almost any possession. And though he's only 6'2", he's undaunted by whoever stands in his way as he attacks the rack.
Some of Mitchell's most impressive in-game dunks have come to the detriment of men much taller than him. Poster dunks over Yuta Watanabe (6'9"), Luke Kornet (7'1") and JaVale McGee (7'2") rank among the most vicious slams of his career.
Like some others on this list, Mitchell wasted no time in announcing himself as a threat to rims everywhere. During his rookie season, he earned a spot in the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest, where he put himself in a position where he needed one elite dunk to earn the trophy over Larry Nance Jr. When Mitchell took the court, he shed his jersey to reveal a Vince Carter jersey, and he proceeded to pay tribute to Carter (more on him later) with a 360 windmill followed by Carter's iconic "It's over" celebration.
It was, indeed, over, and Mitchell took the crown as slam dunk champion.
High Vote: 13
29. Isaiah Rider
22 of 50
Years: 1993-2001 | Teams: MIN, POR, ATL, LAL, DEN
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: "East Bay Funk Dunk," 1994 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here (1:47 of video)
Moments after becoming the No. 5 overall pick in the 1993 draft, Isaiah Rider was asked about the Slam Dunk Contest. A rookie (Harold Miner) had won it earlier that year, so could Rider do the same?
"If I get in the Slam Dunk Contest, I guarantee I'm taking it," he said. "I'm telling everybody now."
Rider got the chance to back up his claim against a field that included Shawn Kemp, Allan Houston, Robert Pack, James Robinson, and Antonio Davis. Rider claimed victory after completing his "East Bay Funk Dunk" on his first attempt of the final round, driving baseline and going between his legs for the throwdown. He was back in the contest the next year, though he struggled to get his dunks down and failed to defend his crown, losing to Miner.
Outside of the dunk contest, Rider was an impressive in-game dunker who used his leaping ability and athleticism to get to the hoop. He got the better of Hakeem Olajuwon for a poster dunk, and one of his best in-game dunks came on the break while getting hacked by Danny Manning.
High Vote: 21
28. Nate Robinson
23 of 50
Years: 2005-16 | Teams: NYK, BOS, OKC, GSW, CHI, DEN, LAC, NOP
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: "KryptoNate" over Dwight Howard, 2009 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
The first three-time Slam Dunk Contest winner in NBA history was a 5'9" point guard who only had 26 dunks in his 10-year career. Yes, you read that right, and watching New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson dunk was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Though he wasn't much of an in-game dunker, Robinson's vertical and athleticism earned him a shot to show his stuff during All-Star Weekend as a rookie in 2006. There, he stole the show from Andre Iguodala by jumping over Spud Webb to claim the trophy. He later squeaked by DeMar DeRozan in the 2010 contest, thanks to a 51-to-49 fan vote.
Robinson's most memorable dunk came in 2009, though, when he famously went up against 6'10" Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard. Howard, who at that point was cultivating his Superman persona, ran into KryptoNate in the finals, as Robinson wore a custom green Knicks jersey, wielded a green ball, and dunked over Howard who was wearing a Superman cape. It was a spectacle that highlighted the entertainment value, fun, and camaraderie of the event, and it etched Robinson into the dunking history books.
High Vote: 12
27. Steve Francis
24 of 50
Years: 1999-2008 | Teams: HOU, ORL, NYK
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Poster dunk on Jahidi White, 1999-00 regular season, Rockets vs. Wizards | Watch Here
Sometimes great dunkers run into bad luck at the Slam Dunk Contest. That definitely was the case for Steve Francis during his two appearances at the event.
In 2000 as a rookie, Francis put together a dunk reel that might have won in other years, but he just so happened to run into a pair of dunkers who ranked in the top 15 of this list. In 2002, Francis struggled with the wheel format that decided which dunks the players needed to do because his hands weren't big enough to palm the ball for some of the classic dunks he drew.
Regardless, the 6'3" guard was an electric in-game dunker. He could soar for lobs, posterize opposing big men like seven-footer Chris Mihm, and at times he would throw the ball off the backboard to himself—even in traffic—for highlight-reel finishes. His greatest slam came during his rookie season, as he drove the lane and exploded up and over Washington Wizards big man Jahidi White for a vicious poster dunk.
High Vote: 14
26. DeAndre Jordan
25 of 50
Years: 2008-present | Teams: LAC, DAL, NYK, BKN, LAL, PHI, DEN, NOP
Signature Style: Lob Finisher
Iconic Dunk: Alley-oop over Brandon Knight, 2012-13 regular season, Clippers vs. Pistons | Watch Here (0:15 of video)
If this was a list of the most violent, emphatic dunks of all time, DeAndre Jordan's iconic alley-oop finish over Brandon Knight during the 2012-13 season would undoubtedly rank somewhere in the top 10. Heck, for a lot of people it would be No. 1. The image of the two men meeting in the air and Jordan throwing down the lob—and Knight with it—remains one of the NBA's most eye-popping moments.
Outside of that dunk, though, Jordan was the consummate in-game dunker, especially as a member of the "Lob City" Clippers. In fact, dunking—specifically throwing down lobs—is almost exclusively what he did on offense. During his first 10 seasons in the league, which he spent with the Los Angeles Clippers, Jordan had 1,820 dunks according to Basketball Reference, accounting for 3,640 points. Those dunks represent over half of Jordan's total points (7,078) during that time period.
The 6'11" center has been a dunks-and-D mainstay in the league for 18 years, though he only participated in the Slam Dunk Contest once. That appearance in 2017 was short-lived, as he didn't progress out of the first round, but he'll still long be remembered for the force, ferocity, and ubiquity of his in-game dunks.
High Vote: 14
25. Derrick Rose
26 of 50
Years: 2008-24 | Teams: CHI, NYK, CLE, MIN, DET, MEM
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Goran Dragić, 2009-10 regular season, Bulls vs. Suns | Watch Here
Before knee injuries derailed his career, Derrick Rose was undeniably one of the most explosive players of his generation. His ability to cut, change direction, play with pace and soar above defenders helped make him the clear No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft, the Rookie of the Year in 2009 and the MVP by the end of his third season.
Rose's elite abilities didn't always translate to dunks, but when he decided to go up for a slam, he definitely knew how to do so with authority and flair, often cocking back his right arm for an emphatic tomahawk. Among his highlights are a reverse windmill, a drive and slam in the face of 7-footer Greg Oden, and a strong drive and dunk through a foul by Joel Anthony.
Arguably his most iconic dunk, though, came during his second season. While running ahead on the break, he caught a pass, took a dribble, then launched off two feet and threw down a two-handed slam through a foul by Phoenix's Goran Dragić. It was a rare moment when Rose showcased his power over finesse, and it's a bummer that knee injuries robbed us of more potential moments like that one.
High Vote: 15
24. Spud Webb
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Years: 1985-98 | Teams: ATL, SAC, MIN, ORL
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: 360 one-handed tomahawk, 1986 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
The NBA is a league that greatly values height, and it's uncommon to see players—let alone star players—who stand less than six feet tall. When it comes to dunkers, even six-footers can often be considered small.
Being a celebrated dunker and standing under six feet seemed impossible, at least until Spud Webb changed everything in 1986.
Webb, who is officially listed by the NBA as 5'6", was the 87th overall pick in the 1985 draft and was a late-September pickup by the Atlanta Hawks. He earned an invite to that season's Slam Dunk Contest, and he made the most of the opportunity.
Using a handful of different dunks, including a 360 one-handed tomahawk, Webb outdueled teammate Dominique Wilkins to win the contest outright, making him the shortest winner in Slam Dunk Contest history. He appeared in the 1988 and 1989 contests, but he couldn't replicate his success.
Still, Webb's win was a victory for the little guys everywhere.
High Vote: 16
23. Amar'e Stoudemire
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Years: 2002-16 | Teams: PHX, NYK, DAL, MIA
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Anthony Tolliver, 2009-10 regular season, Suns vs. Warriors | Watch Here
At 6'10" and seemingly built of all muscle, Amar'e Stoudemire in his heyday was a force to be reckoned with. The fact that he was paired with Steve Nash, one of the greatest point guards of all time, just added to the danger that Stoudemire posed to opposing defenses.
When it came to dunking, Stoudemire had multiple ways to make defenses pay. He had enough quickness to create a little bit of separation, which was often all he needed for a slam. If he couldn't get a step, no matter, because he could then bully his way to the hoop and throw down a savage slam in his would-be defender's grill. And if all else failed, there was always the possibility of converting alley-oops.
Stoudemire's power-dunker skill set led to innumerable poster dunks, making him one of the league's most electric dunkers during his first decade in the NBA. However, his skills didn't fully translate to the Slam Dunk Contest. He failed to make it out of the first round as a rookie in 2003, and he finished second in 2005. However, his 2005 appearance did include a memorable pairing with Nash, as Stoudemire threw the ball off the backboard and Nash headed it to him soccer-style for a twisting alley-oop slam.
High Vote: 22
22. Russell Westbrook
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Years: 2008-present | Teams: OKC, HOU, WAS, LAL, LAC, DEN, SAC
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Omer Asik, 2011-12 regular season, Thunder vs. Rockets | Watch Here
As a player, Russell Westbrook has spent his entire career playing with ferocity. He grabs rebounds with ferocity. He attacks the rim with ferocity. If there's a way to dish out assists with ferocity, you bet Westbrook has done it.
When it comes to dunking, Westbrook is similarly intense, determined, and out for blood. The 6'4" guard has made a career of playing downhill, and his dunking style matches that.
Asked about the dunk contest in 2015, Westbrook reportedly replied, "I only dunk on people," which was meant to serve as his explanation for why he had never participated. In fairness to Westbrook, what he said is true.
When lifting off for a dunk, particularly during his prime, Westbrook has never shied away from contact; rather, he's sought it out. His top dunks include vicious slams over the likes of Kawhi Leonard, DeMarcus Cousins, Shane Battier, and Omer Asik, among many others. And absent a defender in his way, Westbrook often detonated on the rim like the basket itself was making him angry.
Speed, athleticism, and ferocious power have served Westbrook well over the years, and that combination of dunking attributes has also been undeniably entertaining for fans.
High Vote: 12
21. Dwyane Wade
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Years: 2003-19 | Teams: MIA, CHI, CLE
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Anderson Varejão, 2009-10 regular season, Heat vs. Cavaliers | Watch Here
When considering the best shooting guards in NBA history, Dwyane Wade's name needs to be in that conversation. One of the skills that elevates him within that storied field is his proclivity for throwing down monster jams, and the flashiness with which he did it.
Since the NBA started tracking dunks during the 1996-97 season, Wade owns the record for the most regular-season dunks (1,098) by a guard and/or by a player 6'4" or shorter. That total puts him ahead of players like Kobe Bryant (1,001) and Vince Carter (941). That being said, it's hard to know how Wade stacks up with Michael Jordan, who played most of his career before dunks were specifically tracked.
Wade, though, didn't just rack up dunks; he did so with power and style. Armed with elite quickness and athleticism, Wade's dunk highlights are riddled with blow-bys for acrobatic, slashing slams, ferocious facials of defenders—like Anderson Varejão as noted above—who dared to get in his way, and a whole bunch of business decisions.
High Vote: 14
20. Gerald Green
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Years: 2005-20 | Teams: BOS, MIN, HOU, DAL, NJN, IND, PHX, MIA
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Cupcake candle dunk, 2008 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
Armed with amazing explosiveness, plenty of creative flair, and the ability to jump out of the gym, Gerald Green was a threat to pull off a highlight-worthy dunk almost anytime he touched the ball. While he didn't necessarily dunk all the time—248 dunks in 658 regular-season games according to Basketball Reference—it felt like he tried to bring the house down every time he soared to the cup.
Green truly announced himself as a dunker during All-Star Weekend in 2007, when he dethroned Nate Robinson as the Slam Dunk king. There, Green paid tribute to former Celtics star Dee Brown by shielding his eyes midair while he dunked over Robinson. Paul Pierce had initially brought out a cutout of Robinson, then the man himself good-naturedly decided to get in on the act. Green later ended the night with a windmill over a table to earn a perfect score and secure the crown.
Though he didn't win the contest again, Green competed in both 2008 and 2013. The 2008 competition featured his signature and most viral dunk. Before the attempt, a cupcake with a lit candle was placed on the back heel of the rim. Then, Green executed a simple two-handed jam off a bounce, but the kicker was that he blew out the candle while throwing down the slam. It was something that had never been done before, and that combination of athleticism and creativity is what truly made Green great.
High Vote: 4
19. Dwight Howard
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Years: 2004-22 | Teams: ORL, LAL, HOU, ATL, CHA, WAS, PHI
Signature Style: Lob Finisher
Iconic Dunk: Superman dunk, 2008 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
Since the NBA started tracking dunks in 1996-97, Dwight Howard stands alone as the league's most prolific dunker with 2,949 regular-season and 302 postseason slams. The 6'10" Hall of Famer was a dominant interior player on both ends during his 18-year career, as evidenced by his status as the five-time league leader in rebounds, two-time leader in blocks, three-time winner of Defensive Player of the Year, and the fact that over a quarter of his field-goal attempts were dunks.
Howard participated in the Slam Dunk Contest four times (2007, 2008, 2009, 2020), and his showmanship, creativity, and affability—not to mention his incredible athleticism—made him a consistently entertaining staple. Though he was always fun to watch, Howard's star shone brightest during the 2008 contest, which he ran away with.
There, Howard opened by bouncing the ball off the back of the backboard, catching it midair, and finishing with a windmill on the other side. Then, he donned a Superman cape and caught a lob high above the paint near the free-throw line and literally threw it into the hoop.
In the finals, he bounced the ball high toward the rim and then tapped it off the backboard with his left hand before immediately throwing it down with his right. He ended the night by grabbing the ball off a mini hoop at the corner of the backboard and windmilled it home for the exclamation point.
High Vote: 8
18. Anthony Edwards
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Years: 2020-present | Teams: MIN
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Poster over John Collins, 2023-24 regular season, Timberwolves vs. Jazz | Watch Here
Like Russell Westbrook before him, Anthony Edwards' in-game dunks have displayed the kind of athleticism, power and savagery that led to incredible posters and viral videos. However, through six years and 355 dunks, Edwards has never been in the Slam Dunk Contest, and it doesn't seem likely he'll opt in anytime soon.
"I don't have no tricks when it comes to dunking," Edwards said during All-Star Weekend in 2025. "When it comes to dunking, you need, like, tricks. I got power, but I can't spin in the air. I can do a windmill, but that's the most I can do. … If we have a contest where [it's like] can I dunk on him, can he dunk on me, yeah, that would be fun."
When it comes to who Edwards can dunk on, well, that list may be endless. The 6'4" Minnesota Timberwolves guard has thrown down on the likes of Brook Lopez, Alperen Sengun and Chet Holmgren, but his most memorable monster slam came at the expense of John Collins, who he steamrolled on the way to the hoop in March 2024.
High Vote: 13
17. Ja Morant
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Years: 2019-present | Teams: MEM
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Jakob Poeltl, 2021-22 regular season, Grizzlies vs. Spurs | Watch Here
While Anthony Edwards claims he doesn't have any dunking tricks, Ja Morant's bag of tricks is seemingly bottomless. The springy 6'2" guard has displayed all kinds of gravity-defying dunks in his seven seasons, ranging from 360s, windmills, one-handed alley-oop slams with either hand, switching hands in midair, double-clutches, and reverses—and sometimes he's combined multiple of those elements in a single slam.
Not mentioned, of course, are his poster dunks, of which there have been many. When Morant gets a head of steam, his elite leaping ability can send him up, over, and through defenders, even if they're nearly a foot taller.
His list of poster victims is lengthy, and it includes big men like Robin Lopez, Aron Baynes, and Drew Eubanks, though it seems like Morant particularly had it out for Jakob Poeltl. Over the span of a couple years, Morant caught the seven-foot Poeltl twice for monster slams, with the first representing arguably the most iconic dunk of Morant's career and the second morphing into a midair business decision as Poeltl turned away instead of truly contesting.
Now that Morant's career is shifting to Portland—where he'll join forces with Shaedon Sharpe, who appeared earlier on this list—the rims may need to be reinforced in the City of Roses.
High Vote: 6
16. David Thompson
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Years: 1975-84 | Teams: DEN, SEA
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: 360-style dunk, 1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here (1:25 of video)
Move over, Luke. David Thompson is the real-life Skywalker.
Given the "Skywalker" nickname because of his above-the-rim play and 44-inch vertical leap, Thompson was a dunking pioneer in the 1970s. His ability to hang and seemingly walk through the air made for the kind of eye-popping highlights that hadn't been truly seen before in basketball (it didn't help that dunks were banned in college hoops from 1967-76).
As a rookie at the ABA Slam Dunk Contest, the 6'4" Thompson put himself on the map with a series of dunks that highlighted his raw power and bounce. There, he pulled off a running windmill, a powerful double-pump reverse, and cocked back for a 360 slam. Though he finished second to Dr. J, his performance combined with his in-game acrobatics paved the way for the generation of players (and dunkers) who came after him.
One of the players Thompson inspired was none other than Michael Jordan, who invited Thompson to be his presenter at his Hall of Fame enshrinement.
"All the basketball enthusiasts know who David Thompson is, and he was a very inspirational guy to me," Jordan said in 2009. "When you look back and you understand who David Thompson is, you're going to understand why I picked him."
High Vote: 7
15. Tracy McGrady
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Years: 1997-2013 | Teams: TOR, ORL, HOU, NYK, DET, ATL, SAS
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Baseline poster over Shawn Bradley, 2005 playoffs, Rockets vs. Mavericks | Watch Here
In the first round of the 2003 playoffs, Tracy McGrady—at the height of his powers as a first-team All-NBA stud—drove baseline and rose up for a one-handed slam in the grill of 6'11" Detroit Pistons center Mehmet Okur. The throwdown drew oohs and aahs from the Detroit crowd, which included a young LeBron James just months away from being the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
"Man, that dunk was ridiculous!" James said at the time.
Ridiculous is the perfect word to describe T-Mac's rack attacks throughout his 15-year career. The cousin of Vince Carter, McGrady made a name for himself as an every-level scorer and slasher, and his ability to create for himself off the dribble led to innumerable assaults on the rim—and whatever defenders dared stand in his way.
McGrady also had a flair for the dramatic, including his seemingly effortless throwdown over 7'6" center Shawn Bradley in the 2005 playoffs, his off-the-backboard dunk during the 2002 All-Star Game, and his showing at the legendary 2000 Slam Dunk Contest.
There, he finished third in a memorable battle against Carter and Steve Francis—a performance that would have been good for first in other years—by executing a reverse where he scratched the ball behind his head, a windmill off a self-lob, and a 360 off a bounce.
High Vote: 10
14. Zach LaVine
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Years: 2014-present | Teams: MIN, CHI, SAC
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Between-the-legs from near the free-throw line, 2016 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
Zach LaVine wasted no time announcing himself as an elite dunker, taking the Slam Dunk Contest by storm in 2015 as a rookie. There, he donned Michael Jordan's Tune Squad jersey from Space Jam on his first dunk and proceeded to mesmerize with a between-the-legs reverse for a perfect score. He then threw a self-lob and put the ball behind his back for another perfect score, and the rout was on.
When defending his crown the next year, LaVine upped the ante even more in one of the greatest dunk contest duels of all time. Pushed beyond the limit by the Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon, this contest took six dunks (as opposed to the usual four) to decide a winner.
While Gordon used Magic mascot Stuff as a prop for multiple dunks, LaVine leaned on his long-distance leaping for three different dunks that launched from at or near the free-throw line. The closer was a between-the-legs slam from just inside the charity stripe that ended the dunk-offs, put LaVine at 299 of a possible 300 points, and cemented him as one of the greatest dunkers the contest had ever seen.
High Vote: 5
13. Kobe Bryant
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Years: 1996-2016 | Teams: LAL
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Poster over rookie Dwight Howard, 2004-05 regular season, Lakers vs. Magic | Watch Here
As an 18-year-old, Kobe Bryant came straight out of high school and announced himself at the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest as a force to be reckoned with. He did enough to earn a spot in the finals of that competition and immediately slammed the door on Chris Carr and Michael Finley with an iconic between-the-legs slam that made him the youngest player to ever win the competition.
That was just the tip of the iceberg, as Bryant spent the rest of his career refining his craft and establishing himself as one of the best-dunking guards of all time. His 1,001 career dunks were the most by a guard in the tracking era by the time he retired, only since surpassed by Dwyane Wade.
And when it came to dunks, Bryant's repertoire was loaded. He could explode off the floor and power through defenders—like he did to rookie Dwight Howard in 2004—he could expertly hang and adjust midair to avoid would-be shot-blockers, and he could detonate for windmills, reverses, 360s and more.
Essentially, whenever Bryant saw a glimmer of space and decided he was going to the rim, there was almost nothing defenders could do to stop him.
High Vote: 8
12. Darryl Dawkins
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Years: 1975-89 | Teams: PHI, NJN, UTA, DET
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Shattered backboard over Bill Robinzine, 1979-80 regular season, 76ers vs. Kings | Watch Here
It's often hyperbole to describe a dunk as rim-rocking or bringing down the house. To say that Darryl Dawkins' dunks were destructive, though, would be selling them short.
In 1979, Dawkins shattered the backboard not once but twice in a span of three weeks. The first incident came on a two-handed slam that sent glass cascading down on Dawkins and Kansas City Kings forward Bill Robinzine. The second involved less shattered glass, as Dawkins ripped the rim clear off the backboard.
And if shattering the glass wasn't enough, Dawkins also named all of his dunks. His creative monikers, according to History.com, included the "In-Your-Face Disgrace, the Look Out Below, the Turbo Sexophonic Delight, the Rim-Wrecker, the Go-Rilla, the Spine Chiller Supreme, the Cover Your Head, the Yo Mama and the Get-Out-of-the-Waying, Backboard-Swaying, Game-Delaying, If-You-Ain't-Grooving-You-Best-Get-Moving Dunk." His first backboard-breaker was dubbed the Chocolate-Thunder-Flying, Robinzine-Crying, Teeth-Shaking, Glass-Breaking, Rump-Roasting, Bun-Toasting, Wham-Bam Glass-Breaker-I-Am Jam.
"It wasn't really a safe thing to do," Dawkins later said of breaking the backboard, "but it was a Darryl Dawkins thing to do."
Dawkins' dunks drew a lot of excited attention to the league, though the NBA couldn't run the risk of further destruction and soon installed breakaway rims at every arena. For a dunker, that's maybe the greatest legacy possible.
High Vote: 11
11. Shaquille O'Neal
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Years: 1992-2011 | Teams: ORL, LAL, MIA, PHX, CLE, BOS
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Collapses the basket, 1992-93 regular season, Magic vs. Nets | Watch Here (0:25 of video)
Darryl Dawkins shattering the glass and ripping the rim clear off the backboard prompted major safety changes to avoid further backboard-breaking in the NBA. However, no one was ready for what Shaquille O'Neal had in store during his rookie season in 1992-93.
In February of that season, Shaq, a 7'1" athletic marvel who combined incredible athleticism with raw power, threw down a two-handed put-back slam that caused the entire basket to rock forward and slowly collapse back onto itself. Somehow, that incident was tame compared to what happened two months later, when his two-handed jam against the New Jersey Nets broke the basket apart entirely, as the backboard dislodged from the stanchion.
Baskets around the league were soon fortified and Shaq-proofed, which was a good thing considering the Diesel threw down over 2,600 jams in his career—and that's not counting the first four years of his Hall of Fame career when dunks weren't tracked. As O'Neal progressed through his career, he only got bigger and stronger, making him one of the most dominant interior forces the league has ever seen, and, unsurprisingly, one of the most violent dunkers to ever take the hardwood.
High Vote: 6
10. Clyde Drexler
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Years: 1983-98 | Teams: POR, HOU
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Long glide dunk from just inside the free-throw line, 1983-84 regular season, Trail Blazers vs. Lakers | Watch Here
Clyde "The Glide" Drexler was a staple during the early days of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, appearing in five out of the first six beginning with the inaugural event in 1984. Unlike most dunkers, Drexler seemed to get better with age.
After getting bounced relatively early in 1984 and 1985, Drexler came back with a vengeance in 1987, earning his way out of the preliminary round with a one-handed slam off the backboard and a baseline double-clutch reverse. His next round of dunks was highlighted by one of his long-distance glide dunks, but it wasn't enough to claim the crown.
The next year, Drexler made history by throwing down the competition's first-ever clockwise 360, but his efforts were overshadowed by the duel between Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan. With Wilkins and Jordan out of the picture in 1989, Drexler made his last and best attempt at winning the contest. He pulled out the clockwise 360 again, as well as powerful windmills from multiple angles, but he finished second to Kenny "Sky" Walker who pulled off the first 360 cuff windmill in the competition's history.
Outside of the dunk contest, Drexler was a five-time All-NBA player and perennial MVP candidate who used his quickness, agility, and bounce to create avenues to attack the rim, where he had the power to detonate on the rim. That fact that he could take off from anywhere—including as far as the free-throw line—made him even harder to defend and more exciting for fans to watch.
High Vote: 10
9. Jason Richardson
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Years: 2001-15 | Teams: GSW, CHA, PHX, ORL, PHI
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Between-the-legs reverse, 2003 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here (0:19 of video)
Before Jason Richardson, there had been three two-time winners of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. However, only one of them—someone higher up on this list—had gone back-to-back. Richardson changed that by winning the contest in his first and second years in the league, establishing himself as one of the great dunkers of his era and of all time.
In 2002, Richardson made his way to the finals against Gerald Wallace and needed a score of 45 or better to win. His attempt involved a self-lob, and he initially struggled to collect in the air and transfer it between his hands. There was a brief question as to whether his fumble constituted a failed attempt, but when he was given a last chance, he made the most of it by bringing down the house with a windmill reverse off the self-lob to earn the victory.
Richardson defended his title by leaning hard into the self-lob in 2003, with all four of his dunks starting with him throwing the ball in the air, letting it bounce, and then collecting it and throwing it down in increasingly impressive ways. His victory-clinching dunk turned out to be the most iconic throwdown of his career, as he took the self-lob and put it between his legs for a one-handed reverse slam that sent all of the courtside All-Stars to their feet.
Though he couldn't record the competition's first-ever three-peat, Richardson had already cemented his legacy as a dunker extraordinaire. His exploits weren't just limited to the dunk contest, either, as Richardson showcased the same hops, creativity, and power throughout his career.
High Vote: 8
8. Aaron Gordon
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Years: 2014-present | Teams: ORL, DEN
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Under-both-legs dunk over Stuff the Magic Dragon, 2016 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
It says a lot that Aaron Gordon finished on the losing end of two legendary Slam Dunk Contest battles against Zach LaVine (2016) and Derrick Jones Jr. (2020)—falling to both in tie-breaking dunk-off rounds—and yet he still earned a place ahead of both on this list.
It helps that Gordon (1,113) has more regular-season dunks than those two put together (1,105), and that he's tied for the most perfect scores (8) in dunk contest history, but Gordon also deserves his flowers for ingenuity and production in the dunk contests he maybe should have won.
Gordon's first foray into the dunk contest in 2016 was nothing short of incredible. He incorporated the Orlando Magic mascot, Stuff, into multiple dunks, including opening the championship round by demonstrating perfect timing when he took the basketball from Stuff while he spun on a hoverboard—all while keeping his left hand behind his head and doing a 360 himself.
If that wasn't enough, it looked like the contest was over when Gordon went all the way over the green monster on his next attempt, collecting the ball from above Stuff's head and bringing both of his legs over the top into a seated position parallel to the ground before transferring the ball beneath his legs and dunking with his left hand. Those two dunks would have won virtually any other dunk competition—and some would argue they should have won that competition—and yet they only resulted in a dunk-off, where Gordon fell to LaVine in two rounds.
After a lackluster follow-up in 2017, Gordon was back in the Slam Dunk Contest in 2020, where he more than redeemed himself. His dunk over Chance the Rapper and one-handed 360 off the backboard gave him back-to-back perfect scores in the final round, and again they both seemed worthy of the win. But with Jones also getting perfect scores, Gordon entered into another dunk-off.
Matching perfect scores led to a second dunk-off, where Jones posted a 48, leaving the door open. Gordon then jumped over 7'6" center Tacko Fall, leaving everyone in the United Center in awe, convinced he had to have just won the contest. And yet, he received 9s from Dwyane Wade, Chadwick Boseman, and Scottie Pippen, leaving him one point short and robbing him of the title.
Hopefully, Gordon's superior ranking here helps assuage any past injustices perpetrated against him.
High Vote: 3
7. LeBron James
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Years: 2003-present | Teams: CLE, MIA, LAL
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Alley-oop over Jason Terry, 2012-13 regular season, Heat vs. Celtics | Watch Here
At this point, LeBron James is either at or near the top of the NBA's all-time list in virtually every category. So, it should come as no surprise that he also clocks in as one of the greatest dunkers the league has ever seen.
With his mix of size, strength, speed and agility, James has been a threat to rims around the league from Day 1 all the way through the end of his 23rd season—and you had better believe he'll be dunking in Year 24, too.
Pinpointing his best dunks is a bit of a challenge considering he's racked up 2,360 slams, and like many of the things he does, most of them are highlight-worthy. The fact that you can go on YouTube and find compilations of 100 or more tells you just about everything you need to know.
Whether you're a fan of his high-flying alley-oop throwdowns, his powerful tomahawks and windmills, him literally jumping over a player, his innumerable posters—most notably his vicious slam through Jason Terry—one of the many business decisions made by defenders to get out of his path, or his bullyball attacks on the rim, LeBron's dunking repertoire has something for everyone.
While fans spent years clamoring for LeBron to enter the Slam Dunk Contest, "The King" never accepted their request. He did the next best thing, though, as he spent his career assembling an incredible collection of legendary highlights for fans to enjoy year-round.
High Vote: 5
6. Shawn Kemp
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Years: 1989-2003 | Teams: SEA, CLE, POR, ORL
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: "Lister Blister" over Alton Lister, 1992 playoffs, Sonics vs. Warriors | Watch Here (0:15 of video)
No one gets this high in the rankings on the strength of one dunk, but let's start by focusing on Shawn Kemp's "Lister Blister" slam over Alton Lister during the 1992 playoffs. To put it succinctly, the dunk was about as perfect a disrespectful jam as there ever could be.
The way that Kemp hurdled through the lane with the ball tucked under his arm like a running back made it clear that brutality was on the horizon, and the rim wouldn't be the only recipient if anyone stepped in the way. Lister didn't get in the way so much as he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and Kemp kneed him to the side, kicked out his legs for maximum style points, and threw down a massive tomahawk jam.
The icing on the cake, though, was Kemp's crouch and two-handed point at Lister. It's the kind of thing that would draw an immediate technical today, but in terms of entertainment value, it elevated the moment from extraordinary to absolute cinema.
Again, Kemp was more than just this moment, but the qualities demonstrated in it are representative of what he brought to the table. He was a powerful and ruthless dunker who had the strength and determination to cram on anyone at any time. He also had a flair for the dramatic, and wasn't afraid to let everyone see it.
As far as dunk contests are concerned, the Rainman was a staple in the early '90s, participating in 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1994. Though he displayed power, athleticism, and creativity, his best finish only amounted to second place behind Dee Brown in 1991.
Still, when it came to in-game dunks that inflicted maximum devastation, Kemp was second to none in his era.
High Vote: 5
5. Blake Griffin
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Years: 2010-23 | Teams: LAC, DET, BKN, BOS
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Poster over Kendrick Perkins, 2011-12 regular season, Clippers vs. Thunder | Watch Here
During college, Blake Griffin made the Oklahoma Sooners must-see TV because of his legendary athleticism and dunking ability. After becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, he missed his first NBA season because of a stress fracture in his left knee.
When he came back, though, he was still every bit the dunker he had been in college—and maybe even better.
Armed with uncommon speed for his 6'10", 250-pound muscular frame, Griffin blended quickness, explosion, and raw power for devastating poster slams. During his Rookie of the Year campaign, he racked up 214 dunks—second in the league. The next summer, the Los Angeles Clippers traded for Chris Paul, and Griffin's immediate reaction with teammate DeAndre Jordan was, "It's gonna be lob city!" which unwittingly coined a new nickname for that era of Clippers hoops.
L.A. indeed became Lob City, as Griffin and Jordan became the greatest dunking duo in the league. Griffin was the flashier dunker overall, demonstrated most clearly by his poster dunk over Kendrick Perkins during the 2011-12 season, where he met Perkins at the summit and proceeded to hang in the air long enough to muscle a slam through the Thunder's big man. It was one of many posters Griffin collected during his career, particularly during the eight years he was in Los Angeles.
Griffin's lone appearance in the Slam Dunk Contest was a truly memorable one. As impressive as Griffin was in making the finals, it was his showmanship in that round that left the most lasting impression. With a choir singing at halfcourt, Griffin had a car parked across the paint with Baron Davis inside. Davis threw Griffin a lob out of the sunroof, and Griffin leapt over the car before swinging on the rim and landing on the hood of the car.
Maybe you could deduct points for the relative simplicity of that dunk, but the performance value was off the charts, and Griffin took home the trophy. In a way, that outcome was fitting for Griffin, as his dunks often didn't have to be intricate to be electrifying.
High Vote: 2
4. Dominique Wilkins
47 of 50
Years: 1982-99 | Teams: ATL, LAC, BOS, SAS, ORL
Signature Style: Power Dunker
Iconic Dunk: Two-handed windmill, 1988 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
It's fair to say they didn't call Dominique Wilkins "The Human Highlight Film" because of his passing. As far as dunkers go, Wilkins' name deserves to be mentioned in any conversation about the greatest to ever throw down.
"Wilkins was a high flyer who electrified fans with his trademark windmill dunk and all-out effort," his Hall of Fame bio reads. "Whether going through someone or over someone … [he] was an artist with grace, power, and purpose."
Of his greatest dunks, multiple came against the fearsome Boston Celtics. He detonated on Larry Bird and Robert Parish at various times, and his ability to contort himself, hang in the air, and adjust led to numerous sensational slams.
One of the game's dunking pioneers, Wilkins was a regular participant in the Slam Dunk Contest, appearing in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1990. Wilkins won in both 1985 and 1990, demonstrating his lasting talent and athleticism, though his power and showmanship made him a must-watch performer every year. His 1988 duel with Michael Jordan remains nothing short of legendary.
That 1988 dunk contest is still hotly contested, as Wilkins finished by driving baseline and pulling off a trademark two-handed windmill. He had garnered high marks for his previous dunks, but this one clocked in as a 45 out of 50, leaving the door open for Jordan to win in front of his home crowd. That's when Jordan performed his iconic free-throw line dunk—though he did miss his first attempt—to earn a 50 and take the win.
Some fans say Wilkins was robbed, and even Jordan supposedly admitted the title should have been Nique's, but Wilkins still remains one of the greatest dunkers to ever play the game.
High Vote: 3
3. Julius Erving
48 of 50
Years: 1971-87 | Teams: VIR, NYN, PHI
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: "Rock the Baby" over Michael Cooper, 1982-83 regular season, 76ers vs. Lakers | Watch Here
There's a pretty good chance that, no matter who your favorite dunker is, their favorite dunker is Julius Erving. A dunking pioneer in the ABA and NBA, Dr. J played a major role in revolutionizing and popularizing above-the-rim play in the 1970s and 80s. To wit, he is one of just three players to earn at least one first-place vote in these rankings.
Though the NBA's first Slam Dunk Contest wasn't until 1984, the ABA debuted the contest first in 1976. Erving was the headliner of a star-studded cast, and he didn't disappoint when it was his turn to take the floor at Denver's McNichols Arena. His array of dunks, which included pulling himself up on the rim with his left hand and throwing down with his right as well as a two-ball dunk, culminated in an iconic free-throw line slam that secured his victory.
Ironically, Erving didn't realize at the time that dunking from the free-throw line was all that special.
"When I did basketball clinics for Converse, I always ended it with a dunk from the foul line," Erving told Bleacher Report in 2014. "So I thought it was something a lot of people were familiar with from those sessions, but for it to still be relevant today, in my wildest dreams I never would have imagined that."
That was far from the only legendary dunk thrown down by The Doctor. He soared and held the ball high for powerful, one-handed jams. He adjusted in midair for fantastic flushes, and he threw down stylish reverses on the break. When faced with the giants of his day, like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton, he jammed in their faces.
His most iconic dunk, though—and it ranks among the greatest in-game dunks of all time—came on a fast break against the Lakers during the 1982-83. There, he pulled off the memorable "Rock the Baby" move by cupping the ball in his right hand and rocking it from side to side as he made his approach and assault of the rim. All Michael Cooper could do by way of defense was to leap, briefly put his hand up, and then duck out of the way.
High Vote: 1
2. Michael Jordan
49 of 50
Years: 1984-93, 1995-98, 2001-03 | Teams: CHI, WAS
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: Free-throw-line dunk, 1988 Slam Dunk Contest | Watch Here
When it comes to dunking, it's unlikely Michael Jordan could be any lower than this spot right here. Of course, many would argue that Air Jordan is second to none, and that's a perfectly reasonable take.
A phenomenal athlete and in-game dunker who displayed daring, versatility, creativity, ferocity and incredible leaping ability—just ask Patrick Ewing—Jordan rose to the height of stardom in the mid-80s and early '90s. In addition to his scoring and defensive prowess, not to mention his superior branding, his popularity was partly buoyed by his performances in the 1987 and 1988 Slam Dunk Contests. In turn, the Slam Dunk Contest rose in popularity because of Jordan.
In 1987, Jordan broke out the free-throw-line dunk for the first time. With his signature tongue-hanging-out style, he soared to the rim while palming the ball in his right hand and double-clutching before slamming it home, sending the Kingdome crowd to its feet. And that was only during the semifinals. In the finals against Jerome Kersey, His Airness threw down a series of impressive jams to run away with his first dunk title.
The next year brought Jordan's aforementioned legendary battle with Dominique Wilkins, and the two men undoubtedly elevated the contest to a new level. Jordan brought out the free-throw-line dunk again in the semifinals, and he wowed the crowd with a one-handed reverse where his head nearly scraped the bottom of the rim. A double-clutch reverse, and another double-clutch put Jordan in position to earn the win with a score of 49 in front of his home crowd, and we all know what happened next, as his iconic free-throw-line dunk sealed the win and allowed him to defend his crown.
At that point, Jordan was the undeniable king of dunking, and he remained that way until the turn of the century when someone known as Half Man, Half Amazing came along to steal the crown.
High Vote: 1
1. Vince Carter
50 of 50
Years: 1998-2020 | Teams: TOR, NJN, ORL, PHX, DAL, MEM, SAC, ATL
Signature Style: High-Flyer
Iconic Dunk: "Dunk of Death" over Frédéric Weis, 2000 Olympics, USA vs. France | Watch Here
Vince Carter only appeared in the Slam Dunk Contest once, but the legacy he left there may never be topped. Almost everything he did that night in Oakland was something that had never been seen before, and the combination of that performance, his elite athleticism, and his in-game showmanship turned him into the greatest dunker of all time.
It doesn't hurt, either, that his most iconic dunk came on the world stage (more on that later).
Coming off a truncated rookie season in which there was no Slam Dunk Contest because of the lockout, Carter opted into the dunk contest for the first and only time in 2000. He promised to deliver creative and explosive dunks, and, boy, did he deliver on bringing the Vinsanity.
Carter opened the night with a reverse-360 windmill that sent the crowd into a frenzy and resulted in a perfect score. If they had just handed him the trophy then, it's possible no one would have objected. He kept going, though, startinh behind the hoop on his second dunk and stepping forward into a 180 windmill, which would have been a second successive perfect score, except Kenny Smith thought Carter had set the bar too high on his first dunk and the second hadn't matched it.
The perfect scores returned on dunk Nos. 3 and 4, though. On Carter's third attempt, he had his teammate, cousin, and fellow contestant bounce the ball in front of the hoop so he could catch it in midair, put it through his legs, and slam it home. Next came the Honey Dip, where Carter put his whole forearm through the basket and hung on the rim by his elbow.
Carter finished the evening with a "safe" two-handed jam from just inside the free-throw line, but the contest had already been won well before that.
While Carter's career included numerous acrobatic in-game dunks and posters—he famously jumped over Tim Duncan and crammed in the grill of Alonzo Mourning—Carter's best-known slam came a few months after that Slam Dunk Contest victory in the Summer Olympics. That's when he pulled off the "Dunk of Death," where he made a steal and then elevated up and over 7'2" French center Frédéric Weis for a monster slam that still stands as arguably the greatest in-game dunk ever thrown down.
In sum, Carter had everything as a dunker. He had the power to rock the rim, the bounce to fly over any defender from any distance, the acrobatics to twist, turn and adjust midair, and the swagger to make everyone—even other NBA players—want to emulate him.
When it comes to these rankings, we'll let Carter offer the last word.
High Vote: 1
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