Can You Identify These NBA Slam Dunk Contest Winners?

Gavin Thagard

Image: anton5146 / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

It's hard to imagine that there was a time when the dunk wasn't the most popular shot in basketball or that it's slowly being overtaken again by the three-point shot. However, prior to the first Slam Dunk Contest in 1984, dunking was a skill usually reserved for a few select players. With the Slam Dunk Contest and the rise of the Michael Jordan era, the game of basketball changed drastically in the late '80s and '90s. 

Since the introduction of the Slam Dunk Contest, there have been 26 winners who have impressed fans with their dazzling ability to lift their bodies as they float through the air performing magical maneuvers before they slam the ball into the hoop. These players will forever hold the crown of being a Slam Dunk Contest winner, even though some of them had less than stellar basketball careers in the NBA. 

Can you recall all 26 Slam Dunk Contest winners since 1984? Are you able to remember back to the early days of the competition when stars first competed against one another? Do you know which rookies won the award throughout the years or which players won the award multiple times? Here's a quiz where you can find out just that!

Get started and see if you can get a slam dunk on this quiz! 

This sky-rider won the first-ever NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Who is he?

Larry Nance spent his 13-year NBA career with the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers. His most productive years were with the Cavs, who retired his number 22.

This player's dunking ability earned him the nickname "The Human Highlight Film." Who is he?

Dominique Wilkins was selected to the All-Star Game nine times in his NBA career. His first selection was in 1986, when Wilkins led the league in scoring.

Despite being 5'7", this player won the Slam Dunk Contest. Who is he?

Because of his small stature, Spud Webb wasn't heavily recruited coming out of high school. He decided to attend Midland College, a junior college which won the national title with Webb on the team in 1982.

This star player won the Slam Dunk Contest in back to back years. Who is he?

If Michael Jordan was anything, it's a winner. Jordan finished his career with six NBA championships, winning three straight titles before retiring with the Bulls in 1998.

Winning the Slam Dunk Contest three days after his father's death, which player is this?

Kenny Walker had an outstanding college career playing for the University of Kentucky. He was twice named the SEC Player of the Year and was named a first-team All-American in 1986.

This player won the Slam Dunk Contest his rookie season. Who is he?

After being drafted with the 19th pick in the 1990 NBA draft, Dee Brown showed immense promise in his rookie season. Not only was he named the Slam Dunk Contest champion, but he also made the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

This player won the Slam Dunk Contest wearing a blindfold​. Who is he?

Cedric Ceballos helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals in the 1992-93 season. During the season, he also led the league in field goal percentage.

A former Pac-10 Player of the Year, who is this Slam Dunk Contest winner?

Harold Miner won two NBA Slam Dunk Contests while playing for the Miami Heat. However, his on the court play never matched his dunking ability, and he was out of the league after only four seasons.

Who is this NBA journeyman who won the Slam Dunk Contest in 1994?

Isaiah Rider spent his first two college seasons at Allen County Community College and Antelope Valley College. After short stints at both schools, he finished his college career at UNLV.

This player won the contest after launching himself from the free throw line. Who is he?

Brent Barry comes from a basketball family. His father was the legendary Rick Barry, who won a championship with the Warriors in 1975, and his four brothers have found some professional success in various leagues.

Nicknamed "The Black Mamba," who is this Slam Dunk Contest winner from 1997?

Kobe Bryant entered the NBA right out of high school at the age of 18. He won the Slam Dunk Contest his rookie season, making him the youngest winner ever.

This Slam Dunk Contest winner is still dunking in the NBA in his 40s. Who is he?

With the ability to jump out of the gym, Vince Carter was known for posterizing defenders early in his NBA career. Injuries eventually caught up to the legendary dunker, and his athleticism started to dip even as his production remained consistent​.

This is the only player from the Seattle SuperSonics to win the contest. Who is he?

Desmond Mason had arguably his best NBA season in 2004-05 while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. That year, he averaged a career-high 17 points while playing 36 minutes per game.

This player won the Slam Dunk Contest and the NBA Rookie Challenge MVP in 2002. Who is he?

Drafted out of Michigan State, Jason Richardson came into the NBA ready to make a name for himself. In his rookie season, Richardson won the Slam Dunk Contest as well as the NBA Rookie Challenge MVP.

A shooting guard out of Oregon, who is this NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion?

Fred Jones spent his first few seasons playing behind veteran Reggie Miller on the Indiana Pacers. Miller's final season with the Pacers in 2004-05 was Jones' best season with the team as he averaged over 10 points per game for the only time in his NBA career.

This player won the Slam Dunk Contest after recording three perfect scores. Who is he?

Josh Smith became a defensive standout during his time in the NBA. He finished his career averaging nearly two blocks per game.

This is the only player to win the contest three times. Who is he?

Nate Robinson was drafted by the Suns in the first round of the 2005 NBA draft. However, he was immediately traded to the Knicks where he played for four and a half seasons.

This player won the Slam Dunk Contest during his final year in Boston. Who is he?

Gerald Green helped the Houston Rockets reach the Western Conference Finals in 2018. The Rockets pushed the heavily favored Golden State Warriors to seven games, losing by single digits in Game 7.

Wearing a Superman cape during the contest, who is this NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner from 2008?

Dwight Howard watched as the NBA changed right from under his feet. As his career progressed, the NBA no longer needed big men like him to be a star as the league came to rely more on three-point shots.

Who is this player, who won the Slam Dunk Contest and Rookie of the Year award in 2011?

Blake Griffin was a primary member of "Lob City" as part of the Clippers. Other members included Chris Paul, who threw the lobs, and DeAndre Jordan, who could dunk as well.

This player won the contest by dunking two balls at the same time. Who is he?

A second-round​ draft pick, Jeremy Evans has never played a full season in the NBA. He's also had stints in the EuroLeague, where he currently plays.

This top 10 draft pick won the award during his rookie season. Who is he?

Terrence Ross scored the only 50-point game of his career in 2014 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Amazingly, he accomplished this despite only averaging 9 points throughout the season.

This is the only Wizards player to win the Slam Dunk Contest. Who is he?

In 2017, John Wall signed a four-year contract worth $170 million with the Washington Wizards. Injuries and a lack of team unity have kept Wall from living up to the contract.

This player won the contest while wearing Michael Jordan's jersey from "Space Jam." Who is he?

In the summer of 2018, Zach LaVine signed a four-year contract with the Sacramento Kings. However, the Bulls matched the offer, forcing LaVine to return to Chicago.

This Slam Dunk Contest winner is the son of a former NBA player. Who is he?

Glen Robinson III is the son of former NBA player Glenn Robinson Jr. His father was an NBA champion in 2005 with the San Antonio Spurs.

This player won the contest after being named a replacement for Zach LaVine. Who is he?

Donovan Mitchell led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs during his rookie season. He almost won the Rookie of the Year award but was beaten out by Ben Simmons.

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