Image via Complex Original
With the rise of YouTube and mixtape companies, the basketball world has been desensitized when it comes to impressive dunks. However, this college basketball season has not let us down in the poster-making category. There have been some dunks that have not even been seen before, like a right-inside-the-free-throw-line poster or a game-winning putback, and there have been some repeat offenders to this posterization phenomenon. With that, here are the 10 best dunkers in college basketball this season.
10. Jerami Grant, Syracuse
Remember in Space Jam how Michael Jordan’s arm stretched out at the end to win the game? That is what it looks like every time Grant dunks the ball. His ridiculous length enables his to get dunks that few others could ever dream of doing. It is one of the reasons why NBA scouts are drooling at his potential. When he uses those Inspector Gadget arms, he can reach above anyone in college basketball.
9. J.P. Tokoto, North Carolina
It is appropriate that Tokoto gets to rock the Jumpman logo at North Carolina. He has certainly had his fair share of Jordan-esque dunks this year. He is simply impossible to stop in transition. Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, Tokoto’s dunks have been one of the sole bright spots in their disappointing season.
8. Jordan McRae, Tennessee
While known more for his scoring ability, every once in a while McRae can pull off a dunk where he jumps from way far out. He is able to do this because of his ridiculous seven-foot wingspan and NBA athleticism. It is ironic that he plays for Tennessee because all of his dunks are straight tens.
7. Tekele Cotton, Wichita State
While his last name might sound soft, his dunks certainly are not. When Cotton is coming down the lane, Missouri Valley defenders squeal. He might not have the big name like Cleanthony Early or Ron Baker, but Cotton can do some serious damage on the rims if defenses are not careful. Hopefully Wichita State keeps its winning streak alive just so that the Cotton show can continue.
6. Raphiael Putney, Massachusetts
At 6-9, jumping over a defender is practically impossible. Putney, however, almost pulled it off against Youngstown State. He also took off one step in from the free-throw line. With leaping ability like that, it is almost amazing that Putney does not score every time he touches the ball. Hopefully he can step his game up to help UMass make its first run since Marcus Camby was in Amherst.
5. Michael Qualls, Arkansas
How many games in the history of the game have been won on a last second put-back dunk? Qualls did the unprecedented this year against Kentucky when he came from the weak side and dunked all over Kentucky off of a missed three-pointer to win the game. To have the timing, vertical, and length to pull this off was nothing short of amazing.
4. Markel Brown, Oklahoma State
Marcus Smart gets all of the attention for Oklahoma State, but Brown is the silent assassin. He is arguably the most underrated dunker in college basketball. He has been pulling off ridiculous dunks for his entire college career. How can anyone forget the one-handed alley-oop he caught on Missouri two years ago? For a guy that is a mere 6-3, he sure can pull off just about any dunk he wants.
3. Sam Thompson, Ohio State
There is a reason why the fans call him “Slam” Thompson. Thompson is known for having at least one jaw-dropping dunk per game. He undoubtedly makes the assist column go up just a little bit easier for Aaron Craft, as you can see below with his three alley-oops in one game. He makes it unfair for defenders because he can reach a point above the rim that many simply cannot.
2. Aaron Gordon, Arizona
For anyone that is a follower of the Yay Area’s Finest YouTube channel, you knew well before he came to Arizona that Gordon would be dunking all over the college basketball world. He has been putting on the “Air Gordon” show since he was 16 years old. He has the size, vertical, and motor to be a vicious rim destroyer and with the way Arizona is playing, he could be doing that well into April.
1. Deonte Burton, Nevada
There is just nothing more impressive than a point guard who regularly rises above players bigger than him and throws it down. Why do you think Derrick Rose has so many fans? Burton pulled off arguably the best dunk of the year against Boise State by coming through the lane, cocking the ball back, and throwing it down emphatically. This was not a fluke either. Burton has done this his entire career at Nevada, and maybe will be doing it in the league one day.
