11/28/2025
NBA Dunk Embassadors:
NBA Dunk Contest's 86 perfect score dunks, ranked | SB Nation
The history of the NBA dunk involves early use by centers, the popularization of the dunk in the 1960s, and the modern, acrobatic dunk that was initially introduced by the ABA. The inaugural ABA Slam Dunk Contest was held in 1976, with Julius "Dr. J" Erving winning, and the contest moved to the NBA after the merger. Key figures in dunk history include Erving, Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, and Vince Carter, and many memorable moments have occurred in the annual All-Star Slam Dunk Contest.
Early history
Early dunks: Some of the first dunks in the NBA were by big men like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain in the 1960s, but they were often more about power than finesse.
ABA influence: The American Basketball Association (ABA) is credited with popularizing the more flamboyant, acrobatic dunk.
Inaugural dunk contest: The ABA held the first-ever Slam Dunk Contest in 1976, which was won by Julius "Dr. J" Erving.
The NBA Dunk Contest
Post-merger: After the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, the contest was adopted by the NBA, and the first official NBA contest was held in 1984.
Notable winners and rivalries: The contest became a major event, with iconic performances from players like Larry Nance, Dominique Wilkins, Spudd Webb, and Michael Jordan, who famously dueled with Wilkins in 1988.
Modern contest: The contest has continued to evolve, with memorable moments from players like Jason Richardson, Vince Carter, Nate Robinson, Zach LaVine, and Mac McClung, who won three years in a row from 2022-2024.
Dunking in the NBA
Official stats: The NBA officially began tracking dunks as a stat in the 1996-97 season, though many unofficial records exist from before that time.
All-time leader: Dwight Howard currently holds the official record for the most dunks in NBA history, but Shaquille O'Neal unofficially holds the record based on his high number of dunks during his career.
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