NBA Slam Dunk Contest Winners, Ranked
The Slam Dunk Contest has given us some of basketball's most replayed moments, and also some that everyone forgets by the next All-Star Weekend. We ranked all 32 winners from the contest's history, from the guys who changed how people think about dunking to the ones who won a weak year and vanished from the conversation.
This is based on cultural impact, degree of difficulty, how the performance holds up on tape today, and whether people still talk about it decades later. Some of these picks will start arguments. Good. Rank them yourself and see where you land.
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SS Tier: The legends everyone agrees on
Michael Jordan
The free-throw line dunk against Dominique Wilkins is still the image people picture when they hear 'slam dunk contest.' Jordan turned a mid-season exhibition into a cultural touchstone, and the 1988 battle with Nique is the gold standard everyone else gets measured against.
About Michael Jordan
Chicago Bulls legend who won the dunk contest in 1987 and 1988, the latter featuring his famous free-throw line dunk against Dominique Wilkins. Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time.
- Wins
- 1987, 1988
- Team
- Chicago Bulls
Vince Carter
The 2000 contest in his hands is widely considered the single best performance in the event's history. The 360 windmill, the elbow-in-the-rim dunk, the bounce-off-the-backboard alley: this wasn't a contest, it was a highlight reel that broke the internet before social media existed.
About Vince Carter
Longtime NBA high-flyer whose 2000 Slam Dunk Contest performance is considered by many the best ever. Played in the NBA across four different decades.
- Win
- 2000
- Team
- Toronto Raptors
Dominique Wilkins
Two-time winner and Jordan's perfect foil, Nique brought a violence to his dunks that nobody else had. He lost the 1988 duel but that rivalry is the reason the contest still matters, and his power dunks hold up better than most 'creative' ones from that era.
About Dominique Wilkins
Nicknamed 'The Human Highlight Film,' Wilkins won the dunk contest twice and is best known for his 1988 showdown with Michael Jordan.
- Wins
- 1985, 1990
- Team
- Atlanta Hawks
AA Tier: Iconic moments, no debate needed
Zach LaVine
His 2015 and 2016 back-to-back wins, capped by the free-throw line reverse windmill battle with Aaron Gordon, gave the contest a genuine classic in the modern era. LaVine proved a smaller guard could still bring real power and originality.
About Zach LaVine
Won back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016, including a widely praised head-to-head battle with Aaron Gordon in his second win.
- Wins
- 2015, 2016
- Team
- Minnesota Timberwolves
Spud Webb
At 5'7" he out-dunked his own teammate Dominique Wilkins in 1986, and the shock value of that night never really wore off. It's the underdog story the contest keeps trying to recreate and rarely does.
About Spud Webb
A 5'7" guard who shocked the basketball world by winning the 1986 contest over his own teammate Dominique Wilkins.
- Win
- 1986
- Team
- Atlanta Hawks
Kobe Bryant
His 1997 win as a teenager previewed the showman he'd become, elbow deep in the rim for a between-the-legs slam. It wasn't the most technical performance ever, but it announced a star.
About Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant, a five time NBA champion and one of the greatest players in league history, won the Slam Dunk Contest early in his career while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He spent his entire 20 year career with the Lakers and became a global basketball icon.
- Dunk Contest Win
- 1997
- Team at time of win
- Los Angeles Lakers
- NBA Championships
- 5
Blake Griffin
Jumping over a car with a choir singing 'I Believe I Can Fly' in 2011 is one of the most-watched dunk contest moments on YouTube, pure theater more than technical dunking. Love it or roll your eyes at it, people remember it.
About Blake Griffin
Los Angeles Clippers power forward who won the Slam Dunk Contest with his famous dunk over a car, jumping through a sunroof assisted by a choir.
- Contest Win
- 2011
- Team at time
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Signature dunk
- Jumped over a car
Dwight Howard
The 2008 Superman cape dunk is one of the most purely athletic displays the contest has produced, an alley-oop off the backboard that he stuck with a cape on. He also gets credit for sticker-on-the-backboard showmanship that era needed.
About Dwight Howard
Orlando Magic center and multiple-time Slam Dunk Contest winner, known for his Superman-themed dunk wearing a cape, and other dunks using props like a sticker on the backboard.
- Contest Win
- 2008
- Team at time
- Orlando Magic
- Signature dunk
- Superman dunk
Gerald Green
Blowing out a birthday candle on top of the backboard mid-dunk in 2008 is one of the contest's all-time great gimmicks, and his pure leaping ability backed it up. A genuinely underrated winner who gets occasionally overlooked next to Dwight that same night.
About Gerald Green
Former NBA forward who won the Slam Dunk Contest, notable for dunking over a table and for a dunk where he blew out a candle on a cupcake placed on the rim.
- Contest Win
- 2007
- Team at time
- Boston Celtics
BB Tier: Great nights, solid legacies
Jason Richardson
Back-to-back champion in 2002 and 2003, Richardson brought a bag of windmills and between-the-legs variations that were technically excellent even if they didn't reinvent the event the way Carter had just done before him.
About Jason Richardson
Guard/forward known for his explosive athleticism, Jason Richardson won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in back to back years while playing for the Golden State Warriors. He later played for Charlotte, Phoenix, Orlando and Philadelphia over a long NBA career.
- Dunk Contest Wins
- 2002, 2003
- Team at time of wins
- Golden State Warriors
- Draft
- 1st round pick
Nate Robinson
Three-time winner, which alone says something about his longevity in this event. Jumping over Dwight Howard in 2009 is the moment people remember, a small guard clearing a 6'11 Superman.
About Nate Robinson
Undersized but explosive guard who won the Slam Dunk Contest a record-tying three times, known for creative dunks including jumping over Dwight Howard and Spud Webb.
- Contest Wins
- 2006, 2009, 2010
- Team at first win
- New York Knicks
John Wall
His 2014 win over Paul George is solid but not one that gets replayed much; the contest that year is remembered more for the general meh energy around it than for any single Wall dunk.
About John Wall
Washington Wizards All-Star point guard who won the Slam Dunk Contest, known for his speed and athleticism on the fast break.
- Contest Win
- 2014
- Team at time
- Washington Wizards
Donovan Mitchell
Paying homage to Vince Carter in 2018 with his own version of the honey-dip, Mitchell's win came in a contest widely praised for bringing star power back to the event. A worthy, if not legendary, champion.
About Donovan Mitchell
Utah Jazz star guard who won the Slam Dunk Contest, wearing a Vince Carter throwback jersey in tribute during his performance.
- Contest Win
- 2018
- Team at time
- Utah Jazz
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Desmond Mason
A solid power dunker who won in 2001, Mason doesn't get talked about much today, but his between-the-legs reverse was clean and the athleticism was never in question.
About Desmond Mason
Desmond Mason was a high flying forward who won the Slam Dunk Contest while playing for the Seattle SuperSonics. He was known for his powerful two handed dunks and athleticism, and also played for Milwaukee, New Orleans and Oklahoma City during his career.
- Dunk Contest Win
- 2001
- Team at time of win
- Seattle SuperSonics
Cedric Ceballos
The blindfolded dunk in 1992 is a genuinely clever gimmick that still gets brought up whenever people discuss creative dunk contest ideas, even if the actual dunk was fairly simple once you strip away the blindfold.
About Cedric Ceballos
Former NBA forward known for his blindfolded dunk during the Slam Dunk Contest, performed while playing for the Phoenix Suns. The dunk remains one of the most memorable in contest history.
- Contest Win
- 1992
- Team at time
- Phoenix Suns
- Signature dunk
- Blindfolded dunk
Terrence Ross
His 2013 win, complete with a Vince Carter throwback jersey tribute, was solid and well-received in the moment but hasn't aged into must-watch territory the way some others have.
About Terrence Ross
Toronto Raptors guard who won the Slam Dunk Contest, delivering a Raptor-themed jersey tribute dunk during his performance.
- Contest Win
- 2013
- Team at time
- Toronto Raptors
Isaiah Rider
The 'East Bay Funk Dunk' in 1994 is one of the more originally-named signature dunks in contest history, a between-the-legs reverse that was ahead of its time for creativity.
About Isaiah Rider
Former NBA guard who won the Slam Dunk Contest with his signature 'East Bay Funk Dunk', a between-the-legs windmill dunk. He played for the Minnesota Timberwolves at the time of his win.
- Contest Win
- 1994
- Team at time
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Signature dunk
- East Bay Funk Dunk
Harold Miner
Nicknamed 'Baby Jordan,' Miner won back-to-back in the early '90s with a game that leaned hard into that comparison. Solid power and athleticism, even if the nickname set expectations he couldn't quite live up to long-term.
About Harold Miner
Harold Miner, nicknamed "Baby Jordan" for his dunking style reminiscent of Michael Jordan, won the Slam Dunk Contest while playing for the Miami Heat. His NBA career was relatively short, also including time with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Dunk Contest Wins
- 1993, 1995
- Team at time of wins
- Miami Heat
- Nickname
- Baby Jordan
Anfernee Simons
A 2021 win in the pandemic-era contest with a limited field, Simons showed real bounce and clean execution, though the diminished competition that year makes it hard to rank him higher.
About Anfernee Simons
Portland Trail Blazers guard who won the Slam Dunk Contest, known for his smooth, high-flying dunks and sharp shooting ability as a core Blazers player.
- Contest Win
- 2021
- Team at time
- Portland Trail Blazers
CC Tier: Fine, but largely forgotten
Obi Toppin
His 2022 win doesn't get brought up much in dunk contest conversations, a fine but unspectacular night in a contest that's struggled to get top stars to participate in recent years.
About Obi Toppin
Former New York Knicks forward who won the Slam Dunk Contest known for his powerful athletic dunks and energetic performances, later playing for the Indiana Pacers.
- Contest Win
- 2022
- Team at time
- New York Knicks
Hamidou Diallo
The Shaq-jersey, over-Shaq-himself dunk in 2019 was a fun moment and arguably the best single dunk of that night, pulling off genuine power over a 7-footer.
About Hamidou Diallo
Oklahoma City Thunder guard who won the Slam Dunk Contest with a Superman-themed dunk, jumping over Shaquille O'Neal dressed as Superman.
- Contest Win
- 2019
- Team at time
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Notable dunk
- Jumped over Shaquille O'Neal
Derrick Jones Jr.
Won in 2020 in a contest that's generally considered one of the weaker fields of the modern era. Athletic, sure, but not a performance that lives on in highlight compilations.
About Derrick Jones Jr.
Athletic forward known as 'Airplane Mode' for his gravity-defying dunks, who won the Slam Dunk Contest while playing for the Miami Heat.
- Contest Win
- 2020
- Team at time
- Miami Heat
- Nickname
- Airplane Mode
Glenn Robinson III
His 2017 win is largely forgotten, overshadowed by the fact that the biggest stars of that era mostly stopped entering the contest around this point.
About Glenn Robinson III
NBA forward who won the Slam Dunk Contest while playing for the Indiana Pacers, defeating Aaron Gordon in a highly praised final round.
- Contest Win
- 2017
- Team at time
- Indiana Pacers
Brent Barry
A free-throw line dunk in 1996 drew comparisons to Jordan and Nique, but a white player winning the contest at the time also drew its share of controversy and skepticism about the judging.
About Brent Barry
Brent Barry, son of NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry, won the Slam Dunk Contest while playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, notably using a free throw line dunk to pay homage to Julius Erving and Michael Jordan. He went on to have a long career as a sharpshooting guard and won NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs.
Mac McClung
A G-League player winning in 2023 was a great story and briefly saved the contest's reputation for one night, but the dunks themselves, while clean, weren't quite at the historic level the hype suggested.
About Mac McClung
Undersized guard known for explosive athleticism, who won the Slam Dunk Contest while on a two-way/G League contract, becoming a viral sensation for his high-flying performance.
- Contest Win
- 2023
- Notable
- Won while on G League/two-way deal
Larry Nance
The first official winner in 1984, Nance's win matters historically more than it does as a highlight. The contest was still figuring out what it wanted to be.
About Larry Nance
Larry Nance Sr. won the inaugural NBA Slam Dunk Contest, held in 1984, while playing for the Phoenix Suns, defeating Julius Erving in the finals. He went on to become an NBA All-Star and was later inducted into the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor.
- Dunk Contest Win
- 1984 (inaugural contest)
- Team at time of win
- Phoenix Suns
- NBA All-Star appearances
- 3
Dee Brown
Pumping up his Reebok sneaker before dunking in 1991 is a great piece of basketball marketing history, but as an actual dunk it's more memorable for the shoe than the slam.
About Dee Brown
Former Boston Celtics guard famous for pumping up his Reebok Pump sneakers before his dunk and covering his eyes with his arm during the jam. His win is considered an iconic moment of early 1990s dunk contests.
- Contest Win
- 1991
- Team at time
- Boston Celtics
- Signature moment
- Pumping up his sneakers
DD Tier: Trivia answers at this point
Josh Smith
His 2005 win is rarely brought up by anyone, in a contest that was already starting to lose the star power it had in the Carter and Richardson years.
About Josh Smith
Atlanta Hawks forward who won the Slam Dunk Contest known for his powerful, high-flying dunking style early in his NBA career.
- Contest Win
- 2005
- Team at time
- Atlanta Hawks
Fred Jones
Won in 2004 largely because nobody else in the field stood out that year; even dedicated dunk contest fans struggle to describe his signature dunk from memory.
About Fred Jones
Indiana Pacers guard who won the Slam Dunk Contest, known as a strong athlete and defender during his NBA career.
- Contest Win
- 2004
- Team at time
- Indiana Pacers
Kenny Walker
A 1989 champion who's mostly a trivia answer at this point, sandwiched between the far more memorable Jordan and Nique era and whatever came after.
About Kenny Walker
Kenny Walker, nicknamed "Sky Walker," won the Slam Dunk Contest while playing for the New York Knicks. He was known for his leaping ability and had a solid career as a forward in the NBA.
- Dunk Contest Win
- 1989
- Team at time of win
- New York Knicks
- Nickname
- Sky Walker
Jeremy Evans
Won in 2012 in front of a half-empty arena vibe that the whole event was dealing with that period, and it shows in how little anyone discusses this one today.
About Jeremy Evans
Utah Jazz forward who won the Slam Dunk Contest, known for using props including a painted backboard in one of his dunks.
- Contest Win
- 2012
- Team at time
- Utah Jazz
FF Tier: Nobody remembers this happened
Keshad Johnson
About Keshad Johnson
NBA player known for participating in the Slam Dunk Contest as part of a newer generation of dunkers. He has been associated with the San Antonio Spurs organization.
- Team
- San Antonio Spurs
How we ranked them
We weighed iconic moments against longevity of impact: did the win define a career or an era, or just a single night? We factored in degree of difficulty, originality (first to do a move versus copying one), how the performance looks on replay now, and the strength of the field they beat. Consensus from fan forums and retrospectives drove most of the order, with our own judgment settling the close calls.
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Rank these yourselfFAQ
Who is considered the best dunk contest performance ever?
Most fans and critics point to Vince Carter's 2000 contest as the greatest single performance, with Michael Jordan's 1988 duel against Dominique Wilkins a close second.
Who has won the Slam Dunk Contest the most times?
Nate Robinson won three times, more than any other player in contest history.
Did Dominique Wilkins ever win the dunk contest?
Yes, Wilkins won twice, though he's remembered just as much for losing the legendary 1988 contest to Michael Jordan.
Why has the dunk contest gotten less popular in recent years?
Many top stars stop entering because of injury risk and the contest's format feeling stale, which critics say has led to weaker fields and less memorable winners in the 2010s and 2020s.
Who was the shortest player to win the dunk contest?
Spud Webb, at 5'7", won in 1986, famously beating his own Atlanta Hawks teammate Dominique Wilkins.
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Image credits
- Michael JordanPhoto: Steve Lipofsky, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Vince CarterPhoto: Danny Bollinger, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Dominique WilkinsPhoto: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Zach LaVinePhoto: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Spud WebbPhoto: Diemheych, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Kobe BryantPhoto: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Blake GriffinPhoto: Verse Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Dwight HowardPhoto: Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Gerald GreenPhoto: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Jason RichardsonPhoto: Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Nate RobinsonPhoto: Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- John WallPhoto: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Donovan MitchellPhoto: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Desmond MasonPhoto: Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Terrence RossPhoto: Matthew Addie, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Harold MinerPhoto: Neon Tommy, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Anfernee SimonsPhoto: Frenchieinportland, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Openverse) · License · Source
- Obi ToppinPhoto: Rikster2, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Hamidou DialloPhoto: Thunder Heads, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Derrick Jones Jr.Photo: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Glenn Robinson IIIPhoto: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Brent BarryPhoto: flickr user b r e n t (presumably a coincidence), CC BY 2.0 (via Openverse) · License · Source
- Mac McClungPhoto: Alessandro Gaviano, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Larry NancePhoto: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Josh SmithPhoto: Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Fred JonesPhoto: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
- Kenny WalkerPhoto: Acdixon, CC0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Jeremy EvansPhoto: Sakhalinio, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- Keshad JohnsonPhoto: TigerNet.com, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Openverse) · License · Source