NBA Slam Dunk Contest History: Every Winner and the Greatest Dunks Ever
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is one of the most iconic events in sports. Since 1984, the best dunkers in basketball have competed to see who can throw down the most creative, athletic, and jaw-dropping dunks. Here is the complete history.
The greatest dunk contest moments
Michael Jordan's free-throw line dunk (1988): The most iconic dunk in contest history. Jordan took off from the free-throw line, legs spread wide, and threw it down with one hand. The image is burned into basketball history. He beat Dominique Wilkins in what many consider the greatest dunk contest ever.
Vince Carter's entire 2000 performance: Carter didn't just win the 2000 dunk contest — he put on the greatest individual performance in contest history. His 360 windmill, his elbow-in-the-rim dunk, and his between-the-legs dunk were all perfect 50s. He single-handedly revived interest in the dunk contest.
Zach LaVine vs. Aaron Gordon (2016): The greatest dunk contest battle ever. LaVine and Gordon traded perfect 50s for round after round, each one-upping the other with increasingly impossible dunks. LaVine won, but Gordon's between-the-legs dunk over the mascot was arguably the best dunk of the night.
Notable winners
Dominique Wilkins (1985, 1990): The Human Highlight Film won twice and was a finalist multiple times. His power dunks were unlike anything the league had seen.
Dwight Howard (2008): Howard's Superman dunk — wearing a cape and throwing it down from the free-throw line — is one of the most creative dunks in contest history.
Jason Richardson (2002, 2003): The only back-to-back winner in modern history. Richardson's between-the-legs reverse dunk in 2003 was ahead of its time.
Mac McClung (2023, 2024): The undrafted guard became the first back-to-back winner since Richardson. His creativity and athleticism brought new energy to a contest that had been declining in quality.
The decline and revival
The dunk contest went through a rough stretch from 2010-2022. Star players refused to participate, the dunks became repetitive, and fans lost interest. But McClung's back-to-back wins and the NBA's new format changes have revived the event. The 2026 contest featured four All-Stars for the first time in years, and the ratings were the highest since 2016.
The dunk contest works when the best athletes in the world compete. When stars participate, the event is electric. When they don't, it feels like a sideshow. The NBA needs to continue incentivizing star participation to keep the contest relevant.