NBA Slam Dunk Contest winners and full history

The first-ever Slam Dunk Contest took place in 1976 during the ABA All-Star Game in Denver. Later that same year, the ABA and NBA merged, but it wasn’t until 1984 that the Slam Dunk Contest became a staple at the NBA All-Star Game. 

Four participants now compete in two rounds with five judges handing out scores between six and ten points for every dunk. Each round features two dunks per player which have to be completed in three attempts. The two players with the highest score move past the first round to decide a winner. 

During the late 2000s and early 2010s, the NBA experimented with fan voting and even introduced a team format in 2014. In 2015, much to the relief of most fans, the contest was changed back to the old format with four individual participants and judges. 

For years, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest featured established as well as rising stars; some of the best athletes in the league. Recently, it has been a source of frustration among fans, however, as more and more stars are choosing not to compete. 

In 2023, the winner was even a G League player who never quite managed to make a name for himself in the NBA.

Notable Milestones

-Julius Irving won the 1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest, but Larry Nance won the first official NBA Dunk Contest in 1984. 

-Nate Robinson holds the record for most wins with three.

-Spud Webb is the shortest player to win the contest at 5 feet 6 inches and the first rookie.

-Kobe Bryant is the youngest player to win the contest so far at 18.

-Zach LaVine recorded the best overall score to date with 299 points in 2016. 

Which Kings have participated in the Slam Dunk Contest?

So far, the Kings have sent four different players to the Slam Dunk contest: Terry Tyler, Kenny Smith, Gerald Wallace, and Ben McLemore. None of them won.

Since 2014, no Kings player has participated in the contest, and it is still unclear if that will change anytime soon. Malik Monk would surely be a fun candidate, however. 

List of Winners