The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has consistently been one of the most thrilling events of NBA All-Star Weekend ever since it was originally staged as a separate special event in 1984. Over nearly four decades, the title of finest dunker in the game has been contested by a number of outstanding professional basketball players. Continue reading to find out more about the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
- Most Recent Venue: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah (2023)
- Upcoming Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana (2024)
- First Held: 1984
- Most Wins by Player: Nate Robinson (3 wins)
- Most Wins by Team: New York Knicks (5 wins)
History
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest’s beginnings are a year older than its affiliation with the NBA. The American Basketball Association (ABA) hosted the now-famous competition for the first time during the 1976 ABA All-Star Game’s halftime show. Julius Erving, a small forward for the New York Nets, was the inaugural winner. Only a few months later, the ABA and NBA merged, and for the 1976–1977 season, the Slam Dunk Contest was formally shifted to the NBA with its own All-Star Game.
In 1984, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest was reinstated as a yearly standalone event during All-Star Weekend. The initial Slam Dunk Contest champion Julius Erving was defeated by Larry Nance of the Phoenix Suns in the competition’s final round. Since then, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest has taken place before the NBA All-Star Game itself during the NBA All-Star Weekend.
Rules and regulations
There are two rounds in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. During the first round, each player is allowed two dunk attempts; however, no more than two dunks are allowed. Five judges, all former NBA players, assign a style score of 6 to 10 to each of the two dunks. The two players who finished the first round with the highest combined scores progress to the championship round. In the championship round, the two winners get two more opportunities to dunk, and the judges will once more score them. The Slam Dunk Contest is won by the participant with the highest score in the final round.
Slam Dunk Contest players
Each year, four NBA players are chosen to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest. The NBA decides which players are invited and which ones are the most deserved. The four participants in the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest were:
- KJ Martin (Houston Rockets)
- Mac McClung (G League – Delaware Blue Coats) Winner
- Trey Murphy III (New Orleans Pelicans)
- Jericho Sims (New York Knicks)
Shaedon Sharpe (Portland Trail Blazers) was all set to play, but Sharpe withdrew so he could concentrate on his regular-season play.
