Few things in basketball get a crowd on its feet like a perfectly executed slam dunk. It’s raw power, jaw-dropping athleticism, and pure creativity rolled into one. A great dunk can shift the momentum of a game, land on highlight reels for years, and even define a player’s career. Over the years, the NBA has seen some incredible dunkers—players who didn’t just throw it down, but turned dunking into an art form.
From skywalking acrobatics to rim-rattling power slams, these high-flyers changed the game forever. Here’s a look at the greatest dunkers in NBA history—legends who defied gravity and left fans in awe.
15. Nate Robinson
At just 5’9”, Nate Robinson made the impossible look easy. He wasn’t just an undersized player—he was a three-time Slam Dunk Contest champion, the first in NBA history to do it. Robinson’s most legendary moment came in 2009, when he soared over 6’11” Dwight Howard like a human rocket. His unreal vertical leap and fearless style made him a fan favorite.
14. Spud Webb
If you thought Nate Robinson was short, meet Spud Webb—standing just 5’7” but jumping out of the gym. In 1986, Webb shocked the world by winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, proving that height is just a number. His 42-inch vertical made it possible for him to throw down insane dunks, like the reverse two-handed strawberry jam (yes, that’s really what it was called). His victory is still one of the biggest upsets in dunk contest history.
13. Clyde Drexler
They called him “The Glide” for a reason. Clyde Drexler was one of the smoothest, most graceful dunkers the game has ever seen. He took part in five dunk contests, coming close to winning in 1989, but his best work came in actual games. Drexler’s combination of speed, bounce, and style made him one of the most electrifying dunkers of his era.
12. Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine isn’t just a dunker—he’s a showman. A two-time Slam Dunk Contest champ (2015, 2016), LaVine pulled off some of the most jaw-dropping slams the contest has ever seen. Between-the-legs dunks, free-throw line jams—you name it, he’s done it. His mix of creativity, hang time, and pure bounce puts him among the best aerial artists ever.
11. Dwight Howard
They don’t call him Superman for nothing. Dwight Howard wasn’t just a dunker—he was a force of nature. He dominated the 2008 Dunk Contest with his Superman cape dunk, but his in-game slams were just as ridiculous. With his strength and vertical leap, Howard was a constant threat to throw down monster alley-oops and putbacks.
10. Darryl Dawkins
Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins didn’t just dunk—he destroyed backboards. His powerful slams were so devastating that the NBA had to introduce breakaway rims in 1979 to stop him from shattering glass. Dawkins was all about power, flair, and creativity, even giving his dunks names like “The Rim Wrecker” and “The Spine-Chiller Supreme.” His influence on dunking is undeniable.
9. Jason Richardson
Jason Richardson wasn’t just a high-flyer—he was a two-time back-to-back Slam Dunk Contest champion (2002, 2003). His signature? The insane 360-degree slams and behind-the-back jams that left crowds speechless. Whether in transition or off an alley-oop, Richardson’s dunks were must-see moments.
8. Kobe Bryant
Before Kobe Bryant became a legend for his clutch shots and insane work ethic, he made his mark as a dunker. He won the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie, but his in-game dunks were what truly stood out. Whether it was a nasty reverse jam or a vicious poster over a defender, Kobe’s mix of finesse and power made his slams unforgettable.
7. Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin didn’t just dunk—he dominated the rim. His rookie year alone was a highlight reel of poster slams, including the infamous dunk where he literally jumped over a car. Griffin’s mix of power, bounce, and fearlessness made him one of the most electrifying dunkers in modern NBA history.
6. Shawn Kemp
Shawn Kemp, aka “The Reign Man,” made dunking look like an art form. His dunks weren’t just powerful—they were disrespectful. His most famous one? Posterizing Alton Lister in the 1992 playoffs, then pointing at him for extra effect. Whether it was a self-alley-oop or a thunderous putback, Kemp brought attitude and excitement every time he took off.
5. LeBron James
LeBron James isn’t just a great dunker—he’s a freight train in the air. At 6’9” and 250 pounds, his combination of power, speed, and hang time is unreal. From vicious tomahawk slams to gravity-defying alley-oops, LeBron’s dunks have been a signature part of his legendary career.
4. Julius Erving
Before Michael Jordan, there was Dr. J. Julius Erving was the original skywalker, bringing style and grace to dunking. His “Rock the Baby” dunk over Michael Cooper in 1983 is still one of the most iconic moments in NBA history. With his 41-inch vertical and effortless hang time, Dr. J paved the way for all the dunkers who came after him.
3. Dominique Wilkins
They called him “The Human Highlight Film,” and for good reason. Dominique Wilkins made dunking look effortless, combining pure power with breathtaking acrobatics. A two-time Dunk Contest winner, Wilkins’ windmill slams and ferocious putbacks made him one of the most dominant scorers (and dunkers) of the 1980s and ‘90s.
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2. Michael Jordan
There’s a reason they call him “Air Jordan.” Michael Jordan didn’t just dunk—he floated. His free-throw line dunk in the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest is the stuff of legends. Whether he was gliding through the air in transition or throwing it down in traffic, MJ made dunking look effortless. He set the standard for what a dunker could be.
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1. Vince Carter
And finally, we have the undisputed dunk king—Vince Carter. No one, before or since, has done it like Vinsanity. His 2000 Dunk Contest performance? Legendary. The honey dip dunk? Unreal. And let’s not forget when he jumped over a 7-footer in the Olympics. Carter didn’t just dunk—he redefined what was possible in mid-air.
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