NBA
Best NBA Dunkers of All Time
The NBA dunk is one of the most applauded plays. However, this was not the case between late 1960s to mid-1970s, as the act was banned. Both high school and college players were not allowed to slam the ball through the rim; rather, they were only required to make a simple drop in the hoop or lay the ball up. Today, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest is a testament to the evolution of the NBA dunk culture from an outlawed play to one of basketball’s lionized and most iconic play.
Vince Carter//Getty Images
The dunk has gained popularity over the years, as indicated by its increasing frequency. In the 2002/03 regular season, there was a record 8,254 dunks, which gradually increased to 11,664 in the 2022/2023 season. The growth is attributed to the 3-point revolution and increased spacing in the court.
Also, the drafting of taller and more explosive athletes has contributed to the revolutionary change. The likes of Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Dominique Wilkins, and Shawn Kemp have rendered the dunk a spectacle to behold, following their eye-popping slam dunks.
Dunks are known to trigger electrifying moments for players, spectators and the larger audience in basketball. Whether executed as an explosive finish, a gravity-defying leap, or a windmill slam, a dunk will ignite fans, getting them off their seats.
Beyond having a mesmerizing effect, a dunk delivers high-percentage shots that harvests more points for a team. Some of the best dunkers ranks as the best shooters of all time. It can also be used to intimidate the opposing team by preying on their psychological outlook. For players, dunking exposes their dynamism, versatility, and athleticism, besides showcasing their defensive and rebounding strengths.
This ranking highlights the greatest dunkers in NBA history by assessing their style of dunking and level of creativity, the authority and force used to throw the dunks and the impact of their dunking ability on the game.
Methodology
The following metrics inform the ranking criteria:
Dunk Contest Wins (30%): Based on the number of Slam Dunk Contest wins.
Signature Dunks (20%): Evaluated for iconic dunks and creativity (e.g., windmills, 360s).
In-Game Impact (30%): Contribution to scoring and momentum during matches.
Legacy & Influence (20%): Influence on the sport and recognition among peers.
Sources Used:
Critical Consensus Table
This critical consensus is a ranking based on players’ key achievements and expert ranking from Tapology and Fox Sports.
| Rank | Player | Key Achievements | Tapology | Fox Sports |
| 1 | Vince Carter | 2000 Slam Dunk Contest Champion, iconic in-game dunks, 22-year NBA career | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Michael Jordan | Multiple Dunk Contest wins, legendary free-throw line dunk | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Blake Griffin | 2011 Dunk Contest Champion, spectacular in-game dunks over defenders | 6 | 2 |
| 4 | Dominique Wilkins | Two-time Dunk Contest Champion, nicknamed "The Human Highlight Film" | 5 | 3 |
| 5 | Julius Erving | ABA Dunking Pioneer, posterizing dunks | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | Shawn Kemp | Iconic in-game dunks, six-time All-Star | 8 | 6 |
| 7 | Jason Richardson | Two-time Dunk Contest Champion | 9 | 7 |
| 8 | LeBron James | Most dunks by a non-center since 1996 | 3 | 10 |
| 9 | Darryl Dawkins | First player to break a backboard | 7 | N/A |
| 10 | David Thompson | High-flying dunks despite dunking being outlawed in college | 10 | N/A |
SportsBoom MetaScale Analysis Table
The MetaScale Table features the scores for different aspects used to establish a summative MetaScale score for players.
| Rank | Player | Dunk Contest Wins (30%) | Signature Dunks (20%) | In-Game Impact (30%) | Legacy & Influence (20%) | MetaScale Score (100) |
| 1 | Vince Carter | 30 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 100 |
| 2 | Michael Jordan | 30 | 20 | 28 | 18 | 96 |
| 3 | Dominique Wilkins | 30 | 20 | 29 | 17 | 96 |
| 4 | Julius Erving | 25 | 20 | 29 | 18 | 92 |
| 5 | Blake Griffin | 25 | 18 | 30 | 16 | 89 |
| 6 | Shawn Kemp | 22 | 19 | 29 | 17 | 87 |
| 7 | Jason Richardson | 30 | 20 | 25 | 12 | 87 |
| 8 | LeBron James | 25 | 18 | 30 | 12 | 85 |
| 9 | Darryl Dawkins | 18 | 20 | 27 | 15 | 80 |
| 10 | David Thompson | 18 | 18 | 25 | 16 | 77 |
Analysis of Top Dunkers (H2)
Below is more information about the dunking performances of the top-ranked dunkers in NBA history.
1. Vince Carter
Vince Carter ranks top of the greatest dunker of all time. In 2000, Vince Carter made a historical dunk in the Summer Olympics in Sydney, where he helped Team USA clinch gold. The “Dunk of Death”, as it was dubbed, was Carter’s most iconic slam dunk; it explosively exposed his athleticism and flair. As he soared over France’s seven-foot-two center known as Frédéric Weis, Carter defied the laws of physics, both gravity and logic.
Carter was renowned for his epic, jaw-dropping dunks that would render even seasoned defenders helpless in the face of his aerial artistry. In the 2000 Slam Dunks Contest, he unleashed his signature move, the 360 windmill alley-Oops dunk, declaring the competition “over.” Another of Vince’s legendary dunk was the “elbow in the basket”, which he implemented to create a spotlight.
Dunking was an intimate part of Carter’s illustrious two-decade career. He was not only a recognized veteran but a high-flying superstar that made a trail of unmatched slams that gave him the status of the ultimate dunk king.
2. Michael Jordan
Besides being an exceptional scorer and an outright winner, Jordan was one of the most mesmerizing dunkers in NBA history. With his combined power, style and creativity, he made iconic dunks that left the basketball world electrified.
His title, “Air Jordan”, was cemented through his spectacular performances in both the 1987 and 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contests. In particular, he made a historic free-throw dunk against Dominique Wilkins in 1988, making it one of the most memorable moments in the NBA. Later in the 1991 playoffs, Jordan made a brutal baseline dunk on Patrick Ewing, leaving defenders in utter confusion.
Regardless of how lethal shot-blockers were, Jordan outdid them with his Fast-Break Posterizers that showcased his fearless attack on the rim. Ultimately, Jordan’s dunks carried a blend of athleticism, swagger, a sense of authority and unique artistry. In a nutshell, his dunking was a statement.
3. Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin’s dunking legacy is an awe-inspiring journey that is cemented by his highlight reels. His 14-year NBA career was a showcase of highlight-reel dunks, all made possible by his explosive athleticism. One of Griffins most historic in-game dunks was the infamous dunk over New Yokrk Knicks’ Timofey Mozgov, a 7-foot-1 human skyscraper. In this scenario, Griffin did not just dunk but also obliterate Mozgov’s efforts to hinder him.
In 2010/2011, his debut season in the NBA, Griffin dominated the NBA Slam Dunk Contest after taking off the hood of a Kia Sedan. This move cemented his position as a high-flying superstar. Further in 2012, he made an eye-popping dunk over Kendrick Perkins, leaving the fans and the entire floor in awe.
Griffin’s prime time with the Los Angeles Clippers was a testament to his artistry in dunking. He culminated an unmatched duo with Chris Paul, leading to a fast-paced, unguardable offense defined by high-flying plays. Griffin made numerous artistic, highlight-reel slams from Paul’s alley-oop passes.
4. Dominique Wilkins
Wilkins, a nine-time NBA All-Star is considered one of the most athletic slam dunkers in NBA history, giving him the nickname, “the Human Highlight Film”. He is one of the most recognized dunkers to have ever played the NBA. During the 1980s and early 1990s, Wilkins stamped his position as an elite dunker and was a favorite to many for his excellent, acrobatic slams.
During his tenure with the Hawks, Wilkins executed dunks that signified finesse and raw power. He activated both aggression and creativity while making slams, with the windmill dunk being his favorite move. His ability to dominate the ball in mid-air, combined with authoritative finishes rejuvenated his fans and audience, and brought the court to a standstill.
Some of Wilkin’s outstanding dunking moments were in the 1985 and 1990 NBA Slam Dunk Contests, when he emerged the top. In 1988, he put up a legendary battle against Michael Jordan and unleashed a show down of slam tactics. Although Jordan won by implementing his signature free-throw line dunk, Wilkins proved to be a hard-nut to crack through his formidable windmill slams.
5. Julius Erving
Julius Erving (“Dr.J”) was a revolutionary force in dunking, as he employed a different kind of flair and aerial artistry in his dunks. In eras before him, dunking was perceived as a move that majorly focused on making strong finishes at the rim. Erving introduced styles that underscored the slam dunk as a form or art, as opposed to a power play. His slams were stylish and elegant, creative, smooth and carried by an unmatched level of control.
Erving’s career in the ABA saw him take home three MVP awards, earned consecutively. He further transitioned into the NBA in 1976, where he made ground-breaking achievements with the Sixers, such as helping them win the 1983 Championship.
Dr.J’s most adored dunks is ‘Rock the Baby’, which was a unique move that he made over Michael Cooper, a Lakers forward. He also had another move dubbed the “Baseline Move,” which he used to navigate creatively against the Lakers’ defenders, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in the 1980 NBA finals. He activated an unleveled finger-roll layup that left everyone trying to wrap their heads around it.
Erving’s made regular in-game dunks that showcased his unique ability to elevate and finish with elegance. This led to his nickname “The Doctor,” since the rim was his routine area of operation. Erving’s influential high-flying slam styles became generational, inspiring many players post his era.
SportsBoom Suggests
Vince Carter leads the ranking board owing to his legendary in-game dunks and iconic Slam Dunk Contest performances. Right from his expressive between-the-legs and well-rounded windmill moves to his dominance on the rim, Carter stood out as the greatest dunker in NBA history.
Michael Jordan redefined dunking in the 1980s through his powerful, high-flying styles. He cemented his position as one of the top-ranked dunkers by winning multiple contests, earning him the name “Air Jordan.”
Equally, Jason Richardson holds a backbone position due to his back-to-back Slam Dunk Contest victories that were made possible by his explosive and creative styles. With his signature between-the-legs dunks, Richardson centred his name in the list of greatest dunkers in the NBA.
References
- 1
Power Rankings: The 25 best dunkers in NBA history: Micah Adams. SportingNews, https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nba/news/power-rankings-the-25-best-dunkers-in-nba-history/1vzis84j90amr1tw512b9foiey. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
- 2
Best dunkers in NBA history: Where does Blake Griffin rank after retirement? Fox Sports, https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/best-dunkers-in-nba-history-where-does-blake-griffin-rank-after-retirement. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
- 3
Top Ten Dunkers in NBA History: Steven Thompson. The Impact, https://theimpactnews.com/tilt/2024/04/25/56171/. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.