Who created dunking in NBA?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 09, 2026
A brief history of the dunk
Who started dunking in the NBA?
During the 1940s and 1950s, 7-foot center and Olympic gold medalist Bob Kurland was dunking regularly during games.
When did the NBA start allowing dunking?
While it became a standard move in the NBA by the 1970s, dunking was banned in the NCAA for nine years when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the first superstar to regularly dunk the ball.
Who made dunking popular?
Bob Kurland and his “Dunk Shot”
Kurland obviously didn't feel this way – he became the first player to regularly do dunk shots in games. The 7-foot Hall of Fame center used the shot routinely while playing on NCAA championship winning teams for Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) in 1945 and 1946.
Why did NCAA ban dunking?
Lew Alcindor, who later became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, dominated his opponents because he was a master of this move. To limit the player's dominance, the NCAA banned the slam dunk from 1967 to 1976.
19 related questions foundHow 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.
Who has the most dunks in NBA history?
The title for “The most dunks in the world” will undoubtedly go to Dwight Howard. He holds the record for the most dunks in the NBA since 1996. The person having the most slams in a game in history is Wilt Chamberlain. He has held the title since he played on 25th March 2019, when he set the record with 27 slams.
Who was the first NBA player to dunk from the free throw line?
More videos on YouTube
Julius Erving's dunk may have been the first, but Jordan's free-throw line slam at the 1988 NBA dunk contest is the most iconic.
Was dunking banned in the NBA?
He averaged 29.0 points and 15.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Meanwhile, the Bruins were 88–2 with Abdul-Jabbar on campus. They won the first three of their record seven straight national championships. However, a ban on dunking imposed in 1966 forced the big man to get creative with his offensive repertoire.
Who made the first NBA 3 pointer?
Late in the first quarter, Chris Ford hits the first 3-pointer in NBA history. Six players hit 3s that night. Because Ford's 3 came in the first quarter of the early slate of games, it's believed his shot was the first in history.
Who was the first person to dunk?
Fortenberry flop
The first documented player to dunk in an organized game was 6-foot-8 Joe Fortenberry, and he did it in short-shorts.
Did Michael Jordan really jump from the free-throw line?
The moment you're thinking of is from one year later in Chicago, when Jordan took flight from the free throw line twice in the 1988 Dunk Contest to beat Dominique Wilkins and repeat as champion. Jordan converted from the free throw line twice, cementing his place in Dunk Contest and NBA history.
What is Michael Jordan signature dunk called?
Michael Jordan: Rock the Cradle.
What is Michael Jordan famous dunk?
The "Move" or Switch Hand Layup. This is one of the most famous and iconic moves and images of Jordan. The "Move", also known as the "Switch Hand" layup. Michael has said that he was going to go for a dunk then quickly changed his mind.
How many dunks has Shaq made?
Although Big Shaq retired in 2011, his 2,626 career dunks stood until the 2017-18 NBA season. Of all the players on the top-five list, O'Neal has been retired the longest, with Tyson Chandler (1,735) joining him after the 2019-20 season.
Who is the best dunker ever?
Top Ten Dunkers Of All Time
- #7 Jason Richardson.
- #6 Julius Erving.
- #5 Shawn Kemp.
- #4 Kobe Bryant.
- #3 Michael Jordan.
- #2 Dominique Wilkins.
- #1 Vince Carter.
- Honorable mentions:
How many times has LeBron dunked?
He is followed by two fellow Lakers DeAndre Jordan (2,237 career dunks) and LeBron James (1,949 career dunks).
Can Steve Nash dunk?
Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers
Not being able to dunk hasn't hindered Steve Nash at all during a 17-year NBA career. Nash managed to win back-to-back MVP awards with the Phoenix Suns in 2005 and 2006.
What height can dunk?
Standard: 6 feet 1inch – 6 feet 3 inches
This height allows you to dunk comfortably without having to go through too much vertical jump training. Many NFL football players are at this height, and they prove that they can jump better than basketball players.
Is a 3 point line dunk possible?
As alluded to above, for a player to dunk from the three-point line they will have to be very tall, probably around 7 feet (2.13 meters) tall and long arms. There are many NBA players that fit this specification, but most players at this size do not have the coordination and athletic ability to make a jump of 23 feet.
Did Michael Jordan invent the slam 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.
How many dunk contests did Michael Jordan win?
While Robinson is the only NBA player to win the competition three times, there are five men who have been victorious twice: Dominique Wilkins (1985 and 1990), Michael Jordan (1987 and 1988), Harold Miner (1993 and 1995), Jason Richardson (2002 and 2003) and Zack LaVine (2015 and 2016).