Top 10 Best Slam Dunkers in Basketball

A great dunk does not politely ask for your attention. It barges in, shakes the rim, wakes up the arena, and forces everyone watching to make some kind of ridiculous noise. You know the one. Half gasp, half howl, fully embarrassing in public.

The best slam dunkers in basketball do more than jump high. Plenty of players can get above the rim. The legends turn that space into a stage. Some attack the basket with brute force, as if the backboard personally offended them. Others glide, twist, stretch, and finish with the kind of style that makes slow-motion replay feel absolutely necessary.

This list is where you get to decide which dunkers deserve to rise above the rest. Vote for the players whose throwdowns made defenders duck, crowds explode, and highlight editors quietly whisper, Thank you for your service.

1. Vince Carter

   

   Vincent Lamar Carter Jr. (born January 26, 1977) is a retired American professional basketball player who had a 22-season career in the NBA. He played for eight teams, including the Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, and Sacramento Kings. In 2024, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball... read more

   This list is severely flawed. I know everyone worships the ground Michael Jordan walks on, but the truth is MJ is a good, not great, dunker. He sure wasn't better than Dominique Wilkins in the '88 dunk contest. Wilkins killed him.

   Darryl Dawkins at No. 12 is an insult. No one was better in terms of brute strength and power. And where is Larry Nance? He could rock the cradle like nobody's business. That certainly brought more style points than an MJ regular dunk from the foul line.

   Dr. J was one of the greatest. His beautiful windmill dunk over Michael Cooper in the '83 Finals was one of the best I've ever seen.

   No way LeBron gets elite status either. Step up to a dunk contest if you really are the King. I doubt he ever will.

   Vince and Dominique Wilkins are the ultimate combination of grace, style, and power. I'd put Vince on top, but it's extremely close. If Vince gets a 99, then Dominique gets a 97 or 98.

   MJ isn't even capable of dreaming about the filthy, freak-of-nature dunks of Vinsanity. That opening dunk in the 2000 dunk contest by Vince was the best I've ever seen. A 360 against-the-grain windmill. Just listen to the crowd's reaction. And Shaq's too.

   When it comes to dunkers, Vince is the real King.

2. Michael Jordan

   

   Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player. Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, he made six NBA Finals appearances. Jordan won the NBA championship each time.

   Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984, Jordan is the greatest player of all time. His dunks have definitely stood the test of time. He was a two-time dunk contest qualifier and won it once. Plus, he's a Hall of Famer.

   Created so many types of in-game dunks and was the most completely unstoppable dunking force of all time. He is easily the greatest player ever.

   Hands down, Michael Jordan. Why? The one-handed slam dunk with his tongue sticking out. He had the best dunks in the '90s and the best of all time.

3. Julius Erving

   

   Julius Winfield Erving II, commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is an American retired basketball player who helped popularize a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and playing above the rim. He was a key figure in the American Basketball Association (ABA) before the merger with the NBA, and... read more

   I grew up in the Dr. J era. Doc is the MAN! Period, end of story! If it wasn't for his love for the game, his passion, his heart, and the entertainment on the basketball court, are you kidding me?

   Come on everyone, give this man his due because he paid all of them. Someone had to be the leader and start it all, and he is it. The rest of the gentlemen learned from him. There wouldn't be any magnificent highlights in this wonderful sport if he didn't play the game.

   Raise that percentage.

   Dr. J was the first NBA player I loved to watch play. He played in an era where highlights were not shown all the time like they are today. I'm sure he had hundreds of amazing dunks that were only seen by the fans in the arena that night.

   If Dr. J had played his entire career in the NBA, he would have been more appreciated. He was the most exciting player for the 13 years before Jordan arrived. Jordan only took over due to Erving's age.

4. Dominique Wilkins

   

   Jacques Dominique Wilkins is an American retired professional basketball player who primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association. Known for his scoring ability and powerful dunks, he was a nine-time NBA All-Star. Wilkins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball... read more

   Drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 1981, Dominique is considered one of the greatest dunkers of all time. He was known for beating Jordan in the dunk contest and is a Hall of Famer.

   Best combination of creativity and power!

   So underrated but so talented. Definitely the best dunker of all time. #teamdominique

5. LeBron James

   

   LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Over his career, LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Lakers. He has won four NBA championships.

   He's the best. No one can be better than him. He should be at the top of the list because he is just like a monster eating people. He can defeat everybody.

   He is like King Kong when he throws it down. So aggressive, and I love the way he does it on the court.

   Greatest one-foot leaper in NBA history. Vince is the greatest two-foot leaper in NBA history.

6. Kobe Bryant

   

   Kobe Bryant (1978-2020) was an American professional basketball player who played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He won five NBA championships with the Lakers and retired in 2016 as the franchise's all-time leading scorer.... read more

   Kobe is very artistic in the air. Above the rim, there's nothing he can't do in any place on the floor. Fearless, not only in dunks but in everything he does, he is a living legend and the best player of his generation. Just watch his highlights!

   Thanks...

   High flier, best dunker from the side. Dunks are so smooth. And by the way, Dr. J didn't invent the dunk. It just wasn't allowed... And LeBron is horrible. Anyone that big should be able to throw it down.

   I can't believe LeBron James is ahead of Kobe. No way! He doesn't even come close to the finesse of Bryant.

7. Blake Griffin

   

   Blake Austin Griffin is an American former professional basketball player who played fourteen seasons in the NBA before retiring in April 2024. He was selected first overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers and won Rookie of the Year in the 2010-11 season. Griffin became a six‑time All‑Star... read more

   Why is Blake not at the top? I can't think of anyone better. Hello, he was a slam dunk champ. Plus, he's super hot. He's got the whole package.

   Plus, his Kia commercials are outrageously funny! If you haven't seen them yet, watch them. If there is anyone else who could dunk better than him and look sexy while doing it, I'm sure I would have heard of them.

   Right now, there are none better than Blake at dunking. He basically makes a living off of attacking the rim. Jordan, in all honesty, was better, but today, there are none better than Griffin.

8. Shawn Kemp

   

   Shawn Travis Kemp is an American retired professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association for 14 seasons. He was a six-time NBA All-Star, best known for his time with the Seattle SuperSonics. Kemp was recognized for his powerful dunks and athleticism.

   Power, style, creativity... Kemp had it all. Remember Lob City with Gary Payton? Kemp always threw it down hard and was explosively quick. He gets my vote.

   I was never a big fan of Kemp, but this is a joke. He is hands down the best dunker to ever step foot on a court. I don't think there's even an argument.

   No doubt about it. Some of those guys at the top of this list are great. Shawn Kemp was hands down the greatest of them all!

9. Clyde Drexler

   

   Clyde Austin "The Glide" Drexler is an American retired professional basketball player. During his career, he was a ten-time NBA All-Star and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Drexler won an NBA Championship with the Houston Rockets in 1995 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial... read more

   Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1983, Clyde "The Glide" Drexler wowed people with his ability to glide as he dunked. Drexler is now a Hall of Famer.

10. Jason Richardson

    

    Easily one of the greatest to ever dunk a basketball. Top 3 for sure.

    Mid-Michigan's finest. Oh, you didn't know.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Nikola Jokic

    

    Nikola Jokić is a Serbian professional basketball player who plays for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association. He was drafted by the Nuggets in 2014 and has since become one of the league's top players. Jokić won the NBA Most Valuable Player award in both 2021 and 2022.

12. ?

    Ja Morant

    

    Temetrius Jamel "Ja" Morant is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association. He was selected with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Morant won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2020.

The Contenders

13. Spud Webb

    If a guy under 6 feet can whip everyone in a dunk contest, how the hell is he not the best?

    Has one of the best vertical jumps in the game.

14. Gerald Green

    

    Gerald Green is an American former professional basketball player. He last played in the NBA during the 2017 to 2018 season with the Houston Rockets. Known for his incredible leaping ability, Green also won the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

    Drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2005, he showed some of the most unbelievable and athletic dunks ever. A three-time dunk contest qualifier, he won it twice.

    People don't know Gerald Green because he's never been a big-name player, but he can get up and throw down like nobody's business.

15. Tracy McGrady

    

    Tracy Lamar McGrady Jr. is an American retired professional basketball player. He is best known for his career in the National Basketball Association, where he played as both a shooting guard and a small forward. McGrady was a seven-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball... read more

    Drafted by the Toronto Raptors in 1997, Tracy brought showtime dunks to Toronto. His dunks were unpredictable. They could be skillful, powerful, or athletic.

    Tracy came straight from high school to the NBA and is a possible Hall of Famer.

    Ask Shawn Bradley who he thinks the best dunker of all time is.

    The best. He takes the most ridiculous shots and risks and comes through.

16. Darryl Dawkins

    

    Darryl Dawkins was an American professional basketball player known for his time with the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets in the NBA. He also played briefly for the Detroit Pistons and the Utah Jazz later in his career. Dawkins was famous for his powerful dunks and flamboyant personality on... read more

    Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1975, he had powerful dunks that were so strong they had to make the rims stronger because he had broken two backboards. He was one of the first players drafted out of high school.

17. Josh Smith

    

    Josh Smith is an American former professional basketball player. He played 13 seasons in the NBA, with teams including the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, and the New Orleans Pelicans. His final NBA appearance came in November 2017 when he briefly played for the... read more

    Dunk champ in 2005, and he hasn't stopped throwing down since.

    ATL represent! J-Smoove is a boss.

18. Shaquille O'Neal

    

    Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, known widely as Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player. He currently works as a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. Renowned for his dominant presence on the court and his charismatic, approachable personality, O'Neal remains one of the... read more

    Shaq is the best dunker of all time because he makes the rim suffer.

    He always broke the rim when he floated in the air and aimed for a slam dunk.

    Got to remember the question is not who is the most flashy dunker. It's who is the best dunker, and he was unstoppable. But he couldn't shoot for his life.

19. Wilt Chamberlain

    

    Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American basketball player. He was born on August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia and died on October 12, 1999, in Los Angeles due to heart failure. He was 63 years old at the time of his death.... read more

    His "baseline dunk" was truly amazing. He jumped straight up with his head behind the backboard and reached up under the basket to dunk it in with his wrist.

    Wilt is also the only player in history to actually dunk from behind the free-throw line. All the rest, including MJ and Dr. J, had their toe touch the line when they took off.

20. Zach LaVine

    

    Totally the best dunker. He's the defending slam dunk champion and won the 2015 and 2016 slam dunk contests! Go Timberwolves!

    He is the only one that might be able to challenge the GOAT, Vince Carter.

    He should be first with Michael Jordan trailing him!

21. DeAndre Jordan

    

    Hyland DeAndre Jordan Jr., born on July 21, 1988, is an American professional basketball center. He currently plays for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association. Jordan is a three-time All-NBA selection, a two-time NBA All-Defensive Team member, and won an NBA championship with the Nuggets... read more

    Jordan's dunk in Detroit was monstrous.

    The most athletic center of all time.

22. Dwight Howard

    

    Dwight David Howard is an American former professional basketball player. He was an eight-time NBA All-Star, three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and an NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. In 2025, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

    In my opinion, he is the best slam dunk contest winner. He has great leaping ability for how tall he is!

    Blake Griffin's not that great and not as good as Dwight Howard. (Blake is a better shooter.)

    Great dunker all around. He could win any NBA dunk contest anytime he wanted to.

    He didn't have the best season, but when he wants to, he can dunk the basketball.

23. Michael Finley

    Very underrated. He posterized a lot of people in his career. Just look it up on YouTube.

24. Aaron Gordon

    

    Aaron Addison Gordon, born September 16, 1995, is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. He was selected fourth overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft and played with the team until he was traded to Denver in 2021. Gordon won an NBA championship with... read more

    He is a really good dunker. Have you watched Zach LaVine vs. Aaron Gordon?

25. Derrick Rose

    

    Derrick Martell Rose is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA. He became the youngest MVP in NBA history in 2011 while playing for the Chicago Bulls. He has also had successful stints with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, and Minneapolis... read more

    He is quite possibly the best dunking PG in the history of the league.

26. Russell Westbrook

    

    Russell Westbrook Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He has been recognized for his explosive athleticism and dynamic playing style throughout his career. Westbrook has earned multiple All-Star selections and won the NBA... read more

    Russell Westbrook is the most athletic point guard in the game right now. Have you seen his highlights from the 2015 and 2016 All-Star games? The guy is a beast. He's a point guard that dunks like a big man.

27. Nate Robinson

    

    Nathaniel Cornelius Robinson, born on May 31, 1984, in Seattle, Washington, is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball at the University of Washington and was selected 21st overall in the 2005 NBA Draft.... read more

    Nate Robinson's only 5'9. How the heck isn't he first in this whole entire all-time list? Second is Spud Webb. The last is Shaq. He doesn't jump. He only just hangs on tight!

    Jumped over Dwight Howard, slammed it home, dubbed "Krypto-Nate," and won the contest. Oh, yeah, and he's 5 feet 9 inches. Now tell me again how he's not number 2. (Gotta give it to Vince.)

    Little guy, but guess what! He could dunk and jump over the taller man.