High-Flying High Schoolers Who Could Compete in the NBA Dunk Contest Right Now

With the annual NBA dunk contest taking flight in Toronto this weekend, it's the perfect time to examine some of the high school game's best high-flyers.

While this isn't a projection of how these prospects will fare as long-term basketball players, we do know that these guys can throw down some ridiculous dunks, and they all have the reputations (and YouTube followings) to prove it. This list features some smaller guards who can play way above the rim along with some lanky wings who can jump from distances that not many can dream of.

The way that many high school players are creating dunks and pushing the limits of what was thought to be possible, here's a look at eight high school basketball players who have the pedigree to (potentially) be seen on All-Star Saturday Night in years to come.

Some on this list are known as in-game dunkers, while others have already captured big-name national dunk contest titles. The players who are strong in both categories are the ones who head this list.

8. Seventh Woods, 6'2", Senior

Athleticism: Seventh Woods made national headlines as a freshman in high school for an insane mixtape that generated more than 14 million views. If you're 14 years old and get that many eyeballs on you for dunks, it means your athleticism is rare. The 6'2" Woods can really get up.

Creativity: Because Woods has a take-off point on dunks that is further away than most guards, it gives him ample time to load up and throw down windmills or catch alley-oops at difficult heights. 

NBA Dunker Comparison: Although they come from different eras and Woods is a little taller, former dunk contest champion Dee Brown has a lot of similar creativity and could fly in for dunks from deep distances despite his smaller stature like Woods can.

7. De'Aaron Fox, 6'4", Senior

Athleticism: With perhaps the best open-court speed of any guard in the high school game, the 5-star Kentucky commit can literally fly through the air. Fox finishes dunks with such velocity that he's often parallel to the ground while hanging on the rim.

Creativity: The awesome dunks for Fox aren't only limited to games. The Houston-area native is known to put on some shows in warm-up lines, and he's not afraid of the spotlight and trying new dunks. Spins, windmills, under-the-legs; Fox can do it all.

NBA Dunker Comparison: During the spring and summer, Fox spoke about the influence of Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook on his game to USA Today's Jason Jordan, and both guards can finish above the rim in electrifying fashion like few can.

6. Hamidou Diallo, 6'4", Junior

Athleticism: There are some leapers who take off for a dunk and they somehow keep elevating to a level where you question how that is possible. Hamidou Diallo, a 5-star prospect in the 2017 class, is one of those types of leapers. He keeps going up until he's looking down on the rim.

Creativity: A confident dunker who leaves the floor quickly, Diallo is adept at finishing ferocious dunks with one or two hands and making plays over defenders. Diallo doesn't have as much national-contest experience as some others on this list, but his in-game track record speaks for itself.

NBA Dunker Comparison: Diallo is a few inches shorter and not as polished a contest dunker, but the way he can elevate to another stratosphere reminds some of former dunk contest champion Gerald Green.

5. Malik Monk, 6'3", Shooting Guard

Athleticism: The younger brother of former Arkansas star wide receiver Marcus Monk, Malik is carving out his basketball identity thanks to freaky leaping ability at 6'3". A Kentucky commit, Monk is one of a few guards who can cock back for power dunks at the high school level.

Creativity: A guard who flourishes with creative bursts on in-game dunks, Monk also knows his athleticism well enough to pull off dunks that most guards couldn't do in dunk contests. Although he's only 6'3", Monk can soar over people as props with ease.

NBA Dunker Comparison: Shannon Brown never got a chance to properly flourish in an NBA dunk contest setting, but he's a tremendous in-game dunker with a ton of raw power. As a combo guard with similar size, Monk fits this profile rather well.

4. Josh Jackson, 6'7", Senior

Athleticism: Considered by some to be the top overall prospect in all of high school basketball, Jackson checks all the boxes in terms of high-level athleticism. When it comes to dunks, this helps the 6'7" native of Detroit play way above the rim.

Creativity: When it comes to dunk contests, Jackson doesn't have the original creations of some of his peers, but he's classically trained in smooth windmills and under-the-legs dunks. Because he's a competitor, Jackson is also never afraid to back down from a challenge in these settings.

NBA Dunker Comparison: The effortless way that Jackson can smoothly do tough combination dunks brings Terrence Ross to mind. Ross and Jackson aren't going to blow you away with some dunk you've never seen before, but they have the grace and power to make most dunks look great.

3. Mark Vital, 6'6", Senior

Athleticism: With a full head of steam, Baylor commit Mark Vital is one of the most violent dunkers in all of basketball, thanks to his power and leaping ability. The 6'6" Vital can also spring over people in games or dunk contests.

Creativity: Perhaps the best in-game dunker on this list, Vital assaults rims with a raw power that is seldom matched. As he's grown more comfortable jumping over people during contests, Vital has also done a lot of trick dunks flying over groups of people.

NBA Dunker Comparison: Former NBA Dunk Contest champion Fred Jones was predicated on raw power and hurting the rim on every dunk, so he's a solid comparison for Vital here. Both dunkers need a full head of steam to do their most damage, and their dunks come through with authority.

2. Kwe Parker, 6'2", Senior

Athleticism: Kwe Parker's hops are disgusting. The 6'2" Tennessee commit is the type of vertical leaper who stuns even the most seasoned basketball fans when they see him spring to life for the first time. Not many guards his size have ever played that high above the rim at the high school level.

Creativity: He's had a national reputation as a big-time dunker since early in his high school career, so Parker has had plenty of chances to shine and has destroyed dunk contests across the country with innovative spins and self alley-oops.

NBA Dunker Comparison: It's tough to find many smaller guards who can leap like Parker, but Steve Francis used to be extraordinary in self-alley-oop scenarios like Parker is. The man they called, Stevie Franchise is also a showman just like Parker, as they both enjoy playing to big crowds.

1. Terrance Ferguson, 6'7", Senior

Athleticism: The 6'7" Terrance Ferguson is a well-rounded leaper, capable of skying high above the rim for finishes in traffic or taking off from around the free-throw line and finishing dunks that other athletic players couldn't dream of. As a 5-star prospect with multiple gold medals with USA Basketball, Ferguson has the tools to play in the NBA if he continues to develop.

Creativity: If Ferguson is participating in a camp or event, chances are that dozens (sometimes hundreds) will gather around to see the latest dunks he has in store. The impressive thing about the Alabama commit as a dunker is that he always has new tricks up his sleeve.

NBA Dunker Comparison: With his ability to take off from the free-throw line and do tricks while jumping from extreme distances, Ferguson has drawn some comparisons to former NBA dunk contest competitor James "Flight" White in this category. While White never made his mark in the league in the dunk contest, some of his dunks at Cincinnati were legendary. 

Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.