SUMMARY
- Dwight Howard holds the record for most dunks in NBA history with 2,950.
- The NBA did not keep track on dunks until 1996, which means Shaquille O'Neal could possibly be the true record holder.
The NBA hosts some of the most exciting sports matchups ever. Over the years, the league has gained a lot of recognition for recruiting physically gifted athletes. There are a bunch of requirements for basketball players to meet before signing with the NBA. One must have a good vertical leap and palm the ball with one hand. These things are checked during the NBA Draft combine. And if players do not pass the tests they get put through, they get deemed unfit.
Players need to check all the boxes before they get to participate in the NBA Draft. This is why we also witness spectacular in-game plays. The league is also known for accommodating athletes who possess high basketball IQ and great strength. This is why we get to witness basketball in all its glory with electrifying dunks, insane ball facilitation, and offensive masterpieces. With that being said, let us see who has the most dunks in NBA history.
Dwight Howard holds the record for most dunks in NBA history
Right now, Dwight Howard stands above everybody else with the most dunks in NBA history. The former Orlando Magic superstar recorded a whopping 2,950 dunks through 18 seasons. Some sources also claim that Howard may have recorded over 3,000 dunks run in total. Howard last played in the league during the 2021-22 season before signing with the T1 League overseas.
Ever since the NBA started keeping track of dunks, Rudy Gobert holds the record for the most made in a single season with 308. The legendary Shaquille O’Neal holds multiple records out of which he also had the most dunks in a single game with 11. These three individuals are possibly the most dominant center the league has accommodated in recent years.
The NBA began tracking dunks in 1996
Most of us are probably not aware of the fact that the NBA only started keeping track of dunks until 1996. Before that, there were no records of how many dunks were made in a single game, season, or throughout someone’s career. During the early times, centers dominated the floor and the three-point line never existed either. Players like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell may have had better records than Howard and Shaq. However, some things will be left unanswered.
For example, O’Neal reportedly recorded around 2,600 dunks between 1996 and 2011. The 4x NBA Champion joined the NBA in 1992, which means that none of his dunks between his rookie season and the 1995-96 campaign were recorded. This also goes to show that Shaq probably holds the record for most dunks in league history. Some sources claim that O’Neal had the most dunks in a single season with 322.