By the numbers, the NBA dunk contest is indeed getting worse
hoopshype staff
·5-min read
Basketball player Jericho Sims, of the New York Knicks, competes during the Slam Dunk Contest of the NBA All-Star week-end in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 18, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
If you're under the impression that NBA dunk contest fields are getting worse over time, you're probably right – at least in terms of the on-court impact of the participants. (We'll leave the debate about their dunking prowess for another day.)
A contest that has historically seen its fair share of All-Star power is now largely reduced to young rank-and-file players (at best). For example, the 2025 dunk contest this year features up-and-coming Spurs guard Stephon Castle along with defending champion Mac McClung (on a two-way contract with Orlando) and seldom-used rookies Matas Buzelis and Andre Jackson. Their average scoring output this season is 7.53 ppg, the fourth-worst mark for any dunk contest field in NBA history.
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The worst part is that this isn't really an aberration compared to other recent dunk contests. Many of the lowest-scoring fields have come in the last 15 years, with the 2021 contest ranking dead last in a year when the league seemingly could only convince three players (none of them big names) to participate.
For the all-time ranking, take a look below.
1985 dunk contest: 20.84 ppg by participants on average
INDIANAPOLIS - FEBRUARY 9: Terence Stansbury #43 of the Indiana Pacers goes up for a slam dunk during the NBA slam dunk contest during the NBA All-Star weekend at Market Square Arena on February 9, 1985 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1985 NBAE (Photo by Ron Koch/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Clyde Drexler, Darrell Griffith, Dominique Wilkins, Julius Erving, Larry Nance, Michael Jordan, Orlando Woolridge, Terence Stansbury
1988 dunk contest: 20.24 ppg
CHICAGO- FEBRUARY 6: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls shakes hands during the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest as part of All-Star Weekend on February 6, 1988 at Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois . NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1988 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Clyde Drexler, Gerald Wilkins, Jerome Kersey, Johnny Dawkins, Michael Jordan, Ron Harper, Terence Stansbury, Tom Chambers
2000 dunk contest: 18.00 ppg
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Toronto Raptors player Vince Carter gets his arm tangled in the net during the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest 12 February, 2000 at the Arena in Oakland, California. Carter won the competition with 3 perfect scores out of 5. This is the first time in three years that the slam dunk contest has been held. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) (Photo credit should read JOHN MABANGLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Jerry Stackhouse, Larry Hughes, Ricky Davis, Steve Francis, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter
2018 dunk contest: 17.20 ppg
Feb 17, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dunks in the slam dunk contest in the 2018 All Star Saturday Night at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Pizzello/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Dunk contest participants: Dennis Smith, Donovan Mitchell, Larry Nance Jr, Victor Oladipo
1984 dunk contest: 16.47 ppg
1984; FILE PHOTO; Larry Nance of the Phoenix Suns dunks one ball after another during 1984 competition. Nance won the contest, which was the first in the NBA. Mandatory Credit: Porter Binks-USA TODAY
Dunk contest participants: Clyde Drexler, Darrell Griffith, Dominique Wilkins, Edgar Jones, Julius Erving, Larry Nance, Michael Cooper, Orlando Woolridge, Ralph Sampson
2009 dunk contest: 16.46 ppg
PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 14: Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic dunks on a 12-foot hoop during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday Night, part of 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend at US Airways Center on February 14, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Feb 17, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Osceola Magic guard Mac McClung (0) competes in the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All Star Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dunk contest participants: Jacob Toppin, Jaime Jaquez, Jaylen Brown, Mac McClung
2008 dunk contest: 15.28 ppg
Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic jumps wearing a Superman Cape in the Sprite Slam-Dunk Contest at the New Orleans Arena during the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend February 16, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Howard won the contest with his series of dunks. AFP PHOTO TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
Feb 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dunks during the 2014 NBA All Star dunk contest at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Dunk contest participants: Ben McLemore, Damian Lillard, Harrison Barnes, John Wall, Paul George, Terrence Ross
2011 dunk contest: 14.96 ppg
Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clips jumps over a car to dunk the ball in the Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles February 19, 2011. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
ATLANTA - FEBRUARY 8: Amare Stoudemire #32 of the Phoenix Suns dunks at the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest during the 2003 NBA All-Star Weekend at Philips Arena on February 8, 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Amare Stoudemire, Desmond Mason, Jason Richardson, Richard Jefferson
1992 dunk contest: 14.74 ppg
Basketball Slam Dunk Contest: Seattle SuperSonics Shawn Kemp. Credit: Walter Iooss Jr. SetNumber: X39430
Dunk contest participants: Cedric Ceballos, Doug West, John Starks, Larry Johnson (1969), Nick Anderson, Shawn Kemp, Stacey Augmon
2005 dunk contest: 13.77 ppg
DENVER - FEBRUARY 19: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks jumps over Kenyon Martin #6 of the Denver Nuggets in the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk compeition, part of 2005 NBA All-Star Weekend at Pepsi Center on February 19, 2005 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Amare Stoudemire, Chris Andersen, Josh Smith, JR Smith
1986 dunk contest: 13.77 ppg
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dunk contest participants: Dominique Wilkins, Gerald Wilkins, Jerome Kersey, Paul Pressey, Roy Hinson, Spud Webb, Terence Stansbury, Terry Tyler
2016 dunk contest: 13.50 ppg
Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine competes during the dunk contest during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dunk contest participants: Aaron Gordon, Andre Drummond, Will Barton, Zach LaVine
2002 dunk contest: 13.12 ppg
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES: Jason Richardson, a guard for the Golden State Warriors, slams the winning dunk in the Slam Dunk competition, 09 February 2002, in the First Union Center, in Philadelphia, PA as part of the the All Star Game weekend. AFP PHOTO/Paul J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Desmond Mason, Gerald Wallace, Jason Richardson, Steve Francis
1990 dunk contest: 12.97 ppg
SI.com
Dunk contest participants: Billy Thompson, Dominique Wilkins, Kenny Battle, Kenny Smith, Kenny Walker, Rex Chapman, Scottie Pippen, Shawn Kemp
1993 dunk contest: 12.60 ppg
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Dunk contest participants: Cedric Ceballos, Clarence Weatherspoon, David Benoit, Harold Miner, Kenny Smith, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Tim Perry
1989 dunk contest: 12.46 ppg
HOUSTON- FEBRUARY 11: Spud Webb #4 of the Atlanta Hawks attempts a dunk during the 1989 Slam Dunk Contest on February 11, 1989 at the Summit in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1989 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Chris Morris, Clyde Drexler, Jerome Kersey, Kenny Walker, Ron Harper, Shelton Jones, Spud Webb, Tim Perry
2015 dunk contest: 12.23 ppg
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 14: Zach LaVine #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves competes during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest as part of the 2015 NBA Allstar Weekend at Barclays Center on February 14, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, UNITED STATES: Brent Barry of the Los Angeles Clippers flies through the air toward the basket 10 February during the NBA slam-dunk contest at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Berry beat out Michael Finley and Greg Minor in the finals. AFP PHOTO Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Brent Barry, Darrell Armstrong, Doug Christie, Greg Minor, Jerry Stackhouse, Michael Finley
1991 dunk contest: 11.82 ppg
Nathaniel S. Butler-NBAE via Getty Images
Dunk contest participants: Blue Edwards, Dee Brown (1968), Kendall Gill, Kenny Smith, Kenny Williams, Otis Smith, Rex Chapman, Shawn Kemp
2022 dunk contest: 11.43 ppg
Feb 19, 2022; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin (1) dunks during the Slam Dunk Contest during the 2022 NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Rocket Mortgage Field House. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
DALLAS - FEBRUARY 13: Nate Robinson #2 of the New York Knicks attempts a dunk during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday Night, part of 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend at American Airlines Center on February 13, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Allan Houston, Antonio Davis, Isaiah Rider, James Robinson, Robert Pack, Shawn Kemp
2023 dunk contest: 11.12 ppg
Feb 18, 2023; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. (6) dunks in the Dunk Contest during the 2023 All Star Saturday Night at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
LAS VEGAS - FEBRUARY 17: Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic participates in the Sprite Slam Dunk Competition during NBA All-Star Weekend on February 17, 2007 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the term and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Feb 16, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Hamidou Diallo dunks over Shaquille O'Neal in the Slam Dunk Contest during the NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dunk contest participants: Dennis Smith, Hamidou Diallo, John Collins, Miles Bridges
2004 dunk contest: 10.49 ppg
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Chris Andersen of the Denver Nuggets flies to dunk the ball during competition at the NBA All Stars weekend in Los Angeles 14 February 2004. Jones of the Indiana Pacers won the Slam Dunk, unseating two-time defending champion Jason Richardson of the Golden State Warriors. AFP PHOTO / HECTOR MATA (Photo credit should read HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Chris Andersen, Fred Jones, Jason Richardson, Ricky Davis
2017 dunk contest: 10.06 ppg
Feb 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Glenn Robinson III (40) makes the winning dunk in the slam dunk contest during NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Bob Sura, Chris Carr, Darvin Ham, Kobe Bryant, Michael Finley, Ray Allen
2006 dunk contest: 9.46 ppg
HOUSTON - FEBRUARY 18: Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks goes up for a dunk over former slam dunk champion Spud Webb in the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk competition during NBA All-Star Weekend at the Toyota Center on February 18, 2006 in Houston, Texas. Robinson won the contest. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Andre Iguodala, Hakim Warrick, Josh Smith, Nate Robinson
2012 dunk contest: 9.14 ppg
Feb 25, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Jeremy Evans of the Utah Jazz (wearing the jersey of Karl Malone) completes a dunk as he jumps over comedian Kevin Hart in the 2012 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest at the Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dunk contest participants: Chase Budinger, Derrick Williams, Jeremy Evans, Paul George
2020 dunk contest: 8.84 ppg
Feb 15, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Orlando Magic player Aaron Gordon dunks over Tacko Fall during the slam dunk contest during NBA All Star Saturday Night at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Dunk contest participants: Antonio Harvey, Harold Miner, Isaiah Rider, Jamie Watson, Tim Perry, Tony Dumas
2025 dunk contest: 7.53 ppg
Jan 25, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Dunk contest participants: Matas Buzelis, Mac McClung, Stephon Castle, Andre Jackson
2001 dunk contest: 7.25 ppg
WASHINGTON D.C. - FEBRUARY 10: DeShawn Stevenson of the Utah Jazz elevates for a dunk during the 2001 Slam Dunk Contest held on February 10, 2001 at the MIC Center in Washington, D.C. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2001 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dunk contest participants: Baron Davis, Corey Maggette, DeShawn Stevenson, Desmond Mason, Jonathan Bender, Stromile Swift
2013 dunk contest: 6.53 ppg
Feb 16, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Utah Jazz forward Jeremy Evans (40) jumps over a covered painting on an easel during the 2013 NBA All-Star slam dunk contest at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Haynes/Reuters via USA TODAY Sports
Dunk contest participants: Eric Bledsoe, Gerald Green, Jeremy Evans, Terrence Ross
2021 dunk contest: 5.27 ppg
Mar 7, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Portland Trailblazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) competes during the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
