Best Ever Slam Dunks

AfterHours — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:50:47 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 02/19/2026 05:50

How about yours? Recommendations for me or your own lists/selections are very welcome!

BEST EVER SLAM DUNKS

IN PROGRESS -- JUST GETTING STARTED -- WILL BE ADDING PLENTY MORE

1. Taurian Fontenette "Air Up There" 720
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkrkUVbz7Rk

(NOTE: Taurian "Air Up There" Fontenette is very possibly the greatest dunker in basketball history and will sooner or later have more selections added ... there are an absurd plethora of great ones to choose from, but not the most ideal selection of footage/varying angles like what is available for many NBA dunks, so this makes the selection process with him a bit more challenging...)

The above is probably #1 all time, perhaps never to be topped, with Carter's 1st dunk of the 2000 contest, as well, perhaps permanently stationed at #2 (of all creative, difficult, highly impressive dunks it is maybe the most flawless, authoritative, ever executed?). While following that is an attempt to list the rest in subsequent and sequential order, however with many more entries to be added among them, therefore the numerical order is not set at this time ... Note for my criteria: too many rankings I've seen tend to focus too exclusively on how "difficult" or even "gimmicky" the dunk is and not as much on how great it looks aesthetically and how ideally it is performed in all facets of its execution (some common high selections I've seen are even a bit clunky or awkwardly performed). Here, form and aesthetics (body control, coordination, synchronization, how the form and movement of the body looks throughout the dunk...) matters as well as how difficult or creative (or forceful or graceful, etc) it is. The "attitude" or "emotion" or "authority" (or even "grace" or "beauty", the like...), a performer puts into their dunk, where this is exhibited physically (by which I mean, not so much just in their face, but in the physical execution/performance of the dunk...) can also matter a lot. This is also a clue into why, for example, Michael Jordan or Vince Carter, despite performing (at a glance) "simpler" or less elaborate dunks than, say, some of Zach Lavine's or Aaron Gordon's in more recent years, nevertheless remain right there among them with the best. There is an artistry and perfection of form -- their physical symmetry or synchronization (using their whole body to express and compose the dunk, head to arms to torque to legs) -- which can make their best dunks look more amazing or remain more compelling than any one else performing the same or similar dunk. Compare, for example, Jordan's free throw line dunk(s) versus Levine's or others, and you will see he is using his whole body, even all his musculature, in composing and expressing the dunk all the way from the jump, through the air, to the hoop, whereas others are not doing so (or not to the same degree). Jordan is stylistically unique, as is Carter, a major point for creativity... Watch, for instance, Jordan's "Kiss the Rim" dunk again (has anyone -- ever -- been able to replicate it?), or Carter's Reverse 360 windmill just below. Keep those points in mind and you will see what I mean if you haven't already... and the order may make more sense to you even where many "modern" dunks are perhaps more difficult or more elaborate or unusual, but don't necessarily match or surpass the likes of Jordan or Carter in these other ways. So the list order is an attempt to balance all of these criteria points, overall, and in ranking them. However silly and pointless it might be...

2. Vince Carter, Reverse 360 Windmill, 2000, Slam Dunk Contest (1st Dunk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OJMLCF5oK4

Ja Morant, NBA Playoffs Game 5 vs Timberwolves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDOF56D0yo4

Julius Erving, Rock the Cradle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWYrjqfZqA8

Michael Jordan, Kiss the Rim, 1988, final play vs Supersonics
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hlNJb2hWrEc

Michael Jordan, Shattering the Backboard, 1985, Italy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te-8MJ84834

Spud Webb, One Handed off the Bounce, 1986, Slam Dunk Contest
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WnTrQcsfXM0

Vince Carter, Between Legs Reverse, 2000, Slam Dunk Contest
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MdI8RIFnBZc

Michael Jordan, Free Throw Line, 1988, Slam Dunk Contest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzQAC8kPJxo

Aaron Gordan, Under the Legs Over the Mascot, 2016, Slam Dunk Contest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q6n5NE6Cb4

Zach Levine, Around the Back, Slam Dunk Contest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc7bQKuyIxo

Shawn Kemp, Cradle and Statue of Liberty on Alton Lister
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2GaAWdHwsw

DeAndre Jordan, "Death of Brandon Knight" Alley Oop,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPN0ylFEaFo

Aaron Gordan, 360 Mailman, 2016, Slam Dunk Contest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGMAHpwYLV4

Kobe Bryant, Around the Back Reverse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVPefGvl8A8

Gerald Green, Alley Oop Windmill Head Above the Rim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOzo4pHTZ-M

Vince Carter, Olympics "Dunk of Death"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_uZeCymShQ

Spud Webb, Reverse Two Hand Off the Bounce, 1986, Slam Dunk Contest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6SRX1dDJO0

Kobe Bryant, Posterizing the Wizards
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ip1GLZQ6i8k

Michael Jordan, Cradle Dunk vs Milwaukie Bucks, 1984
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nb7qea2hRo

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