Slam dunks: basketball quiz

29 October 2026 · A Superman cape, a choir in the background, a banned dunk and seven more stories about basketball's most spectacular move.

Quiz questions

1. One player lobs the ball towards the rim, and a teammate catches it in mid-air and slams it home. What is this dunk called?

   • Tomahawk
   • Alley-oop
   • Windmill
   • Putback
   Answer

   Alley-oop. The name comes from the French cry 'allez hop!', shouted by circus acrobats before a leap. A tomahawk is thrown down one-handed from behind the head, and a windmill swings the arm in a full circle.

2. The 1988 Slam Dunk Contest in Chicago was won by the home favourite. He took off from the free-throw line for his final dunk and beat Dominique Wilkins. Who is he?

   • Michael Jordan
   • Clyde Drexler
   • Jerome Kersey
   • Scottie Pippen
   Answer

   Michael Jordan won the contest for the second year running. Wilkins lost the final by just two points.

3. In 1967 the NCAA banned dunking in college basketball, and the ban lasted almost a decade. Why was it brought in?

   • Players kept shattering backboards
   • Because of injuries from players hanging on the rim
   • Television complained that dunks were hard to film
   • Because of UCLA centre Lew Alcindor's dominance
   Answer

   Because of UCLA centre Lew Alcindor's dominance. The ban became known as the 'Alcindor rule'. Lew Alcindor later became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and made the skyhook famous, a shot that needed no dunking.

4. In New Orleans in 2008 the Slam Dunk Contest was won by a centre wearing a Superman shirt and cape. Who is he?

   • Shaquille O'Neal
   • Blake Griffin
   • Dwight Howard
   • JaVale McGee
   Answer

   Dwight Howard was playing for Orlando at the time. Shaquille O'Neal also called himself Superman, but he never took part in the dunk contest.

5. In Toronto in 2016 two players kept scoring perfect marks in the dunk contest final. Aaron Gordon lost, and the winner defended his title for the second year running. Who is he?

   • Zach LaVine
   • Derrick Jones Jr.
   • Victor Oladipo
   • Paul George
   Answer

   Zach LaVine won in 2015 and 2016. Many consider his duel with Gordon the best final in the contest's history.

6. In Cleveland in 1997 the Slam Dunk Contest was won by a rookie aged just 18, still the youngest winner. Who is he?

   • Tracy McGrady
   • Kobe Bryant
   • Kevin Garnett
   • Allen Iverson
   Answer

   Kobe Bryant came to the NBA straight from high school. Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady also came straight from school, but neither won the contest.

7. In Los Angeles in 2011 Blake Griffin won the dunk contest while a choir sang behind him. What did he jump over for his final dunk?

   • Two of his teammates
   • His coach
   • The judges' table
   • The bonnet of a car
   Answer

   Griffin jumped over the bonnet of a car, catching a pass thrown out of its window. It was his rookie season with the Clippers.

8. The first player to win the Slam Dunk Contest three years in a row (2023, 2024 and 2025) had played only a few minutes of NBA games. He spent most of his time in the G League. Who is he?

   • Nate Robinson
   • Zach LaVine
   • Mac McClung
   • Derrick Jones Jr.
   Answer

   Mac McClung is only 1.88 m tall. Nate Robinson also won the contest three times, but not in a row: 2006, 2009 and 2010.

9. Three of these players won the Slam Dunk Contest at least twice. Which one won it only once?

   • Harold Miner
   • Jason Richardson
   • Dominique Wilkins
   • Vince Carter
   Answer

   Vince Carter won only in 2000, though his show is rated one of the best ever. Miner won in 1993 and 1995, Richardson in 2002 and 2003, Wilkins in 1985 and 1990.

10. The 1991 Slam Dunk Contest was won by a Boston rookie. Before each dunk he pumped up his sneakers, and he made his final dunk with his arm over his eyes. Who is he?

    • Dee Brown
    • Shawn Kemp
    • Kenny Walker
    • Rex Chapman
    Answer

    Dee Brown wore Reebok Pumps, and sales shot up after the contest. Kenny Walker had won the contest in 1989.

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