Since its inception in 1984, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest has become one of the most electrifying and anticipated events during All-Star Weekend. The contest has showcased some of the most jaw-dropping, gravity-defying moments in basketball history, making legends out of participants and fueling endless debates about the greatest dunks ever.
From the showmanship of Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins to the creative genius of Vince Carter and Zach LaVine, the competition has evolved dramatically over the years. As dunkers continue to push the limits of athleticism and innovation, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit every winner in NBA Slam Dunk Contest history.
Complete List of NBA Slam Dunk Contest Winners
1980s: The Birth of a Dunking Showcase
The 1980s laid the foundation for the contest, with stars like Larry Nance and Dominique Wilkins setting the standard for aerial artistry.
- 1984 – Larry Nance (Phoenix Suns)
- 1985 – Dominique Wilkins (Atlanta Hawks)
- 1986 – Spud Webb (Atlanta Hawks)
- 1987 – Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)
- 1988 – Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)
- 1989 – Kenny Walker (New York Knicks)
1990s: The Era of Creativity and Power
The ’90s saw a blend of power and finesse, with players like Vince Carter redefining what was possible in a dunk contest.
- 1990 – Dominique Wilkins (Atlanta Hawks)
- 1991 – Dee Brown (Boston Celtics)
- 1992 – Cedric Ceballos (Phoenix Suns)
- 1993 – Harold Miner (Miami Heat)
- 1994 – Isaiah Rider (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- 1995 – Harold Miner (Miami Heat)
- 1996 – Brent Barry (Los Angeles Clippers)
- 1997 – Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
- 1998 – No contest held
- 1999 – No contest held
2000s: The Vince Carter Effect
The 2000 dunk contest is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever, thanks to Vince Carter’s unmatched performance. The decade continued with high-flying excitement.
- 2000 – Vince Carter (Toronto Raptors)
- 2001 – Desmond Mason (Seattle SuperSonics)
- 2002 – Jason Richardson (Golden State Warriors)
- 2003 – Jason Richardson (Golden State Warriors)
- 2004 – Fred Jones (Indiana Pacers)
- 2005 – Josh Smith (Atlanta Hawks)
- 2006 – Nate Robinson (New York Knicks)
- 2007 – Gerald Green (Boston Celtics)
- 2008 – Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
- 2009 – Nate Robinson (New York Knicks)
2010s: The Rise of Showmanship
As social media exploded, so did the expectations for dunk contests. Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon took the event to another level.
- 2010 – Nate Robinson (New York Knicks)
- 2011 – Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
- 2012 – Jeremy Evans (Utah Jazz)
- 2013 – Terrence Ross (Toronto Raptors)
- 2014 – John Wall (Washington Wizards)
- 2015 – Zach LaVine (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- 2016 – Zach LaVine (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- 2017 – Glenn Robinson III (Indiana Pacers)
- 2018 – Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz)
- 2019 – Hamidou Diallo (Oklahoma City Thunder)
2020s: The New Generation
The latest decade continues to showcase innovation, with younger stars bringing their own flair to the contest.
- 2020 – Derrick Jones Jr. (Miami Heat)
- 2021 – Anfernee Simons (Portland Trail Blazers)
- 2022 – Obi Toppin (New York Knicks)
- 2023 – Mac McClung (Philadelphia 76ers)
- 2024 – Mac McClung (Philadelphia 76ers)
Who has won the most NBA slam dunk contests?
The record for the most Slam Dunk Contest victories is held by Nate Robinson, who won the event three times (2006, 2009, 2010). His ability to defy gravity despite his 5’9″ frame made him a fan favorite. Other notable multiple-time winners include Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, Jason Richardson, and Zach LaVine, who all claimed two titles each.
Iconic Slam Dunk Contest Moments
Michael Jordan’s Free-Throw Line Dunk (1988)
Arguably the most famous dunk in history, Jordan’s soaring leap from the free-throw line secured his second consecutive title.
Vince Carter’s 2000 Performance
Carter’s legendary display included the 360 windmill, between-the-legs alley-oop, and the iconic “elbow in the rim” dunk, setting the gold standard for dunk contests.
The LaVine vs. Gordon Rivalry (2016)
Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon delivered an unforgettable showdown, with Gordon using a mascot as a prop and LaVine executing breathtaking between-the-legs dunks from the free-throw line.
Despite occasional criticisms about the contest’s quality in recent years, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest remains a marquee event. With the rise of young, explosive players eager to make their mark, the future promises more innovation, surprises, and unforgettable moments.
Who will be the next dunking legend? We’ll have to wait and see. Stay tuned for updates as new champions rise to the occasion!
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