Which NBA player has broken the most backboards?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 13, 2026
All-star power forward Gus Johnson of the Baltimore Bullets became famous as a backboard breaker in the NBA, shattering three during his career in the 1960s and early 1970s.
What NBA players have shattered backboards?
Gus Johnson of the Baltimore Bullets was famous for breaking backboards with ferocious dunks, as was Darryl Dawkins. A number of backboards suffered from Shaq attacks until the NBA replaced the goals with ones that even Dwight Howard couldn't break.
How many backboards has MJ broke?
"Suppose you just have a little attrition on the screws, a big guy could still be strong enough to push it over the edge." That explains why Michael Jordan only has one broken backboard in his resume of carnage.
Who was the last person to shatter a backboard?
Dunkenstein”, and last but not least a moniker given to him by soul music legend, Ray Charles, who christened Dawkins “Chocolate Thunder.” On November 13th, 1979 during a game against the Kansas City Kings , Dawkins shattered the backboard.
Who was the first person to shatter a backboard?
To be more precise, it happened on November 5, 1946. The Boston Celtics were warming up for the season opener in the Boston Arena when Chuck Connor pulled a Steph Curry - he heaved a 40 footer and broke the backboard.
29 related questions foundDid Michael Jordan break a backboard?
Perhaps his most famous would be the Bulls's 1997 trip to Paris but one that doesn't get talked about enough is his game in Italy on August 26, 1985. It was a Nike exhibition game in Trieste and MJ got a full head of steam, going coast-to-coast before raising up and dunking the ball, resulting in a shattered backboard.
When was dunking not allowed in basketball?
The first incarnation of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest was held during the half-time of the 1976 American Basketball Association All-Star Game. Dunking was banned in the NCAA and high school sports from 1967 to 1976.
Did LeBron James break a backboard?
15 LeBron James Breaks High School Backboard. Here is a crazy video of LeBron James from back in his high school days. He goes up for the dunk and the rim completely detaches from the backboard dropping James to the ground.
Who is the first NBA player to dunk?
A brief history of the dunk
Kurland may be credited with basketball's first dunk, but the first one made in an organized basketball game belongs to the NBA's Joe Fortenberry. While training for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, he dunked the ball into the net like someone “dunking their roll into a cup of coffee.”
When did Shaq break backboards?
In 1993, O'Neal tore down a backboard and its supports as a rookie with the Orlando Magic. He also shattered the glass in a training segment with Ahmad Rashad.
Did Jordan wear dunks?
From the MVP award to the Dunk Contest trophy, Jordan won it all in the NBA. Lacing up the Air Jordan 3 “White Cement” in the 1988 Dunk Contest, Jordan lived up to the moniker “His Airness” by jumping from the free throw line and slamming home an elegant dunk – twice.
Why are Jordans called shattered backboards?
The name “Shattered Backboard” comes from a moment after Michael Jordan's rookie season, in the summer of 1985, when he played in an exhibition game in Italy. Jordan, wearing the orange, black, and white of Stefanel Trieste, hit a dunk so hard he shattered the glass backboard.
Why are they called the shattered backboards?
I guess you're also wondering where the name 'Shattered Backboard' comes from. On August 1985, after Jordan's season with the Chicago Bulls, he played an exhibition game in Trieste, Italy. The absolute highlight of this game was Michael Jordan's dunk. So powerful that Jordan shattered the glass of the backboard.
Did Shaq break a backboard in college?
In addition to putting up career averages of 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game with the Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavs and Celtics in his 19 seasons, Shaq also damaged about 12.5 backboards (unofficial) over the course of his career.
How many times did Darryl Dawkins break backboard?
His nickname, "Chocolate Thunder", was bestowed upon him by Stevie Wonder. He was known for his powerful dunks, which led to the NBA adopting breakaway rims due to him shattering a backboard on two occasions in 1979.
Who is the shortest basketball player to dunk?
The Shortest NBA Players to Dunk During a Game
- Will Bynum (5 ft. 11 in.) It is fitting that Bynum has the hops he does because he has “bounced” around enough since college. ...
- Ty Lawson (5 ft. 11 in.) ...
- Allen Iverson (5 ft. 11 in.) ...
- Nate Robinson (5 ft. 9 in.) ...
- Spud Webb (5 ft. 7 in.)
Who scored the first 3 pointer in NBA history?
Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics is credited with making the first three-point shot in NBA history on October 12, 1979. The season opener at Boston Garden was more remarkable for the debut of Larry Bird (and two new head coaches).
What is the longest dunk ever?
Mikey Williams Dunks On Flight, Sets World Record For Longest Dunk (3 Hours) - YouTube.
Who did the first alley-oop?
It was invented by a couple of college students at Oklahoma Baptist University. Others say that David Thompson and his teammates Monte Tow and Tim Stoddard at North Carolina State University (Thompson had a 44-inch vertical and certainly popularized the attack for college athletes).
Who shattered the backboard?
On November 13, 1979, in the middle of a game at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Philadelphia 76ers center Darryl Dawkins leaps over Kansas City Kings forward Bill Robinzine and slam-dunks the basketball, shattering the fiberglass backboard.
What happens if a rim breaks during a game?
The player gets a technical foul for this action and after the game, he is fined. A player can't be ejected for breaking the board, however, and the defending team gets the ball. Breaking the backboards was a common trend back in the 90s and even early 2000s. Right now such things do not happen frequently.
How high can Lebron jump?
With his vertical leap reportedly measuring in at somewhere north of 40 inches (the NBA average is in the high 20s), King James is able to launch his 6-foot-8-inch, 250-pound frame with seeming ease.
How many dunks does Steph Curry have?
Looking at Stephen Curry's dunk statistics
He has a total of 26 dunks in his 13-year career and the last time he did so was in the 2018-19 season.
What is a tomahawk dunk?
Basketball. A shot made by jumping high into the air and pushing the ball through the basket with a sharp downward motion, thought to resemble a blow made with a tomahawk.