There’s nothing like an incredible dunk to get fans out of their seats. Whether it’s a thunderous poster in traffic or a graceful glider from the baseline, dunking is one of basketball’s most electric forms of expression.
From gravity-defying legends to power-packed rim rattlers, the NBA has seen its fair share of dunkers who made the game feel more like a highlight reel. This list ranks the 20 best to do it—players who made dunking an art form, a weapon, or sometimes both.
20. Desmond Mason
Mason didn’t just dunk; he attacked the rim like it owed him money. His high-flying slams were full of flair, bounce, and chaos.
19. Dominique Wilkins
Wilkins earned the nickname “The Human Highlight Film” for good reason. He made windmills and tomahawks look routine, and his in-game power was unmatched.
18. Jason Richardson
Richardson had a flair for the dramatic and the vertical to back it up. His back-to-back Dunk Contest titles were loaded with creativity and sheer power.
17. David Thompson
Before guys jumped out of the gym, Thompson lived above the rim. He brought serious verticality to the 1970s and inspired generations to follow.
16. Vince Carter
Carter could do it all—poster dunks, 360s, windmills, you name it. He didn’t just dunk over people; he dunked over seven-footers in the Olympics.
15. Julius Erving
Dr. J floated through the air with such grace that it felt like slow motion. He was a dunking pioneer whose style influenced almost every wing player after him.
14. Zach LaVine
LaVine made dunking look too easy, with smooth aerial moves that felt effortless. He brought artistry and precision to the modern Dunk Contest scene.
13. Clyde Drexler
Drexler didn’t need a flashy dunk contest to prove his case—his in-game throwdowns said enough. He glided to the hoop with power and control every time.
12. Gerald Green
Green was a walking trampoline, capable of absurd vertical feats. Whether blowing out candles mid-air or rising from nowhere in games, he was must-watch TV.
11. Kobe Bryant
Kobe effortlessly mixed power and finesse. His early years were full of rim attacks that made fans and defenders alike think twice.
10. LeBron James
LeBron brought the hammer every time he rose. His fast-break dunks felt like a freight train coming through the paint, and he’s still doing it into his late 30s.
9. Amar’e Stoudemire
Few big men dunked with the violence Amar’e did. He seemed to detonate on defenders with every roll to the basket.
8. Blake Griffin
At his peak, Griffin was a walking poster machine. He turned lobs into slams, making “jumping over a car” casual.
7. Harold Miner
Dubbed “Baby Jordan,” Miner had bounce for days and a flair for the dramatic. His short NBA career didn’t dull the impact of his jaw-dropping dunks.
6. Shawn Kemp
Kemp’s dunks came with an extra layer of attitude and style. He made posterizing people look like a hobby and added a stare-down for good measure.
5. Ja Morant
Morant has habitually tried to end careers with his aerial antics. His bounce feels like something out of a video game, and his fearlessness is off the charts.
4. Aaron Gordon
Gordon redefined what we thought was possible in the Dunk Contest. His combination of creativity, precision, and jaw-dropping hops was straight out of a dream.
3. Spud Webb
At 5’7″, Webb was never supposed to be one of the greatest dunkers ever—and yet he won a Dunk Contest and shocked the world. His bounce was unbelievable, and his impact even bigger.
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2. Michael Jordan
Jordan made dunking look poetic, from free-throw line flights to thunderous jams in traffic. He did it all with a sense of purpose and unmatched flair.
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1. Dwight Howard
Howard didn’t just dunk—he powered the ball through the rim like it was personal. He ruled the skies from Superman capes to in-game dominance during his prime.
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