NBA Slam Dunk Contest

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is an annual basketball event held during the NBA All-Star Weekend in the United States. Top players compete to perform the most spectacular and inventive slam dunks, judged on style, athleticism, and creativity.

• Held annually during NBA All-Star Weekend
• First contest won by Julius Erving in 1976
• Judged on creativity, style, and fan response
• Shortest winner: Spud Webb at 5'6" in 1986
• Current champion: Keshad Johnson (2026)

What it is

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is a highlight of the NBA All-Star Weekend, drawing fans and players together to celebrate the art and athleticism of dunking. Contestants are selected from NBA teams and compete to impress judges and audiences with their most daring and imaginative dunks. The event is a blend of competition and performance, where players push the boundaries of what is possible on the basketball court. For many, it is a chance to witness the sport's most electrifying moments and to see athletes express their creativity in mid-air.

Where it comes from

The Slam Dunk Contest began in 1976, created by the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a way to attract fans and showcase the league's flair for high-flying play. Julius Erving's iconic free-throw line dunk won the inaugural contest and set a standard for future competitors. After the ABA–NBA merger, the contest was briefly held in the NBA, but it did not become a regular feature until 1984. Since then, it has evolved in format and style, becoming a staple of All-Star Weekend and a stage for memorable performances that have shaped basketball culture.

How it is celebrated

During the contest, selected NBA players attempt a series of dunks, each aiming to outdo the last in creativity, difficulty, and showmanship. Judges score the dunks based on artistic ability, body control, fan response, and imagination. Over the years, the format has included both set routines and freestyle rounds, and at times, fan voting has played a role in deciding the winner. The event is known for its lively atmosphere, with music, commentary, and enthusiastic crowds adding to the excitement. Past contests have featured everything from 360-degree spins to dunks from the free-throw line, with players often incorporating props or teammates into their routines.

Joining in

Visitors can experience the Slam Dunk Contest as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend, typically held in a major U.S. city. Tickets are in high demand, and the arena is filled with fans, celebrities, and media. Expect a festive environment with pre-game entertainment, halftime shows, and opportunities to see basketball stars up close. Even if you can't attend in person, the contest is widely broadcast and followed by fans around the world, making it accessible to anyone interested in the spectacle of top-level dunking.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Slam Dunk Contest, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Slam Dunk Contest on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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