WNBA Dunks: The Complete History with Visual Breakdowns

This article was originally published on September 15, 2023, and then updated on May 3, 2024 to reflect the latest information.

When we think of dunks, our minds immediately wander to high-flying legends like Michael Jordan or Shawn Kemp in the NBA. But, thanks to the growing explosiveness of young women athletes, WNBA dunks are becoming more frequent and also deserve some shine.

Whether a dunk comes from a man or woman, there’s something awe-inspiring about it that gets you hyped, am I right? Particularly when it comes at a crucial moment or from a shorter player. They electrify the crowd and can leave a lasting imprint (who doesn’t remember Vince Carter’s monster dunk over Frederic Weis of France at the 2000 Sydney Olympics?).

Women hoopers certainly aren’t able to dunk at the same frequency of men. But, I would also argue that women’s basketball faces an unfair stigma around players’ athleticism. Thankfully, WNBA players are used to defying preconceived notions. From the league’s early days, they have shown they can throw it down too.

In this article, we dive deep into dunks in the WNBA. You’ll learn how many dunks there have been in WNBA history, which WNBA player was the first to dunk, who has the most WNBA dunks of all-time, and much more.

How Many Women Have Dunked in the WNBA?

Dunking in the WNBA is a rare and exhilarating sight! Since the league started play in 1997, the number of players who have successfully executed a dunk in a WNBA game remains relatively low.

As of May 2024, eight women have dunked in a WNBA game:

1. Lisa Leslie – WNBA and women’s basketball legend Lisa Leslie became the first woman to dunk in a WNBA game with a breakaway slam in 2002. The Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer also dunked in the 2005 WNBA All-Star Game.
2. Michelle Snow – Michelle Snow, a two-time WNBA All-Star and 2003 WNBA Most Improved Player, used her 80-inch wingspan to become the second WNBA player to dunk in an All-Star Game in 2006.
3. Candace Parker – Candace Parker, a versatile forward who can play every position, has dunked twice in regulation WNBA games while playing for the Los Angeles Sparks. In 2008, she dunked against the Indiana Fever (on the same basket as Lisa Leslie’s first dunk) and then two days later against the Seattle Storm.
4. Sylvia Fowles – Sylvia Fowles, a dominant force in the paint, joined the list of WNBA dunkers with an emphatic slam during the 2009 All-Star Game while playing for the Chicago Sky. She also threw down a breakaway dunk in her final All-Star Game in 2022.
5. Brittney Griner – One of the most iconic names associated with WNBA dunks is Brittney Griner. As one of the tallest WNBA players, the 6’9” center is known for her incredible wingspan. She’s recorded 20 dunks in WNBA games, with her first two coming in a May 2013 game against the Chicago Sky.
6. Liz Cambage – Liz Cambage, the 6’8” Australian center known for her towering presence in the post (and controversies), achieved her first and only WNBA dunk in the final seconds of the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game. This dunk came six years after making history as the first woman to dunk in an Olympic basketball game.
7. Jonquel Jones – Four seasons before being named 2021 WNBA Valuable Player with the Connecticut Sun, forward/center Jonquel Jones dunked with an uncontested one-handed slam in the final minute of the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game..
8. Awak Kuier – While playing for the Dallas Wings in 2022, forward Awak Kuier got a steal against the Seattle Storm and turned it into a breakaway WNBA dunk.

First WNBA Player to Dunk

Lisa Leslie, a true pioneer of women’s basketball, was the first woman to dunk in an official WNBA game. She made this historic dunk on July 30, 2002, at what was then Staples Center, while playing for the Los Angeles Sparks against the Miami Sol.

A Miami Sol missed shot caused a long rebound, allowing Lisa to catch an outlet pass near half-court with nobody in front of her. She took three dribbles down the court and threw down a single-handed dunk.

Lisa’s dunk is among many memorable moments in her exceptional basketball career. In 2022, to commemorate the impact she made on the sport and celebrate the 20th anniversary of her becoming the first WNBA player to dunk in a game, Nike released a Nike Dunk Low that features the Los Angeles Sparks’ colorway and Lisa’s number on the outsole.

How Many Dunks in WNBA History?

While dunks in the WNBA are still relatively uncommon, they hold a special place in the league’s history.

So if you, like many people, are wondering how many dunks there have been in WNBA history –as of April 2024, the WNBA dunks total is 33.

This WNBA dunks total includes the dunks that have taken place in the regular season (21), playoffs (1), and All-Star games (11).

Full List of WNBA Dunks

Here is a list of all 33 dunks in WNBA history, along with the players who made them:  

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Who Has the Most WNBA Dunks?

When it comes to dunking in the WNBA, one name stands out above all others: Brittney Griner.

So, how many dunks does Brittney Griner have?

Brittney Griner has completed a total of 23 dunks in her WNBA career.

Breaking this down by game type, 18 of those dunks occurred in regulation games. The remaining five were slam dunks during All-Star Games.

The 6-foot-9 powerhouse has been a true game-changer, both figuratively and literally, in the world of women’s basketball. Griner is the undisputed leader in the category of WNBA dunks.

Shortest WNBA Player to Dunk

Candace Parker (6’4″) stands out as the shortest WNBA player to ever execute a dunk in a game.

She dunked twice during her 2008 rookie WNBA season while playing for the Los Angeles Sparks. The first came on 6/24/08 against Indiana. Two days later, she threw one down against Seattle.

At the time, she was only the second player to dunk in a regulation WNBA game, following Lisa Leslie.

Parker was selected first overall in that year’s 2008 WNBA Draft and went on to win WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Looking for more Candace Parker? Take a look at our list of best Candace Parker quotes.

Best WNBA Dunks

Let’s journey through some of the most memorable and best WNBA dunks in the league’s history.

1. Lisa Leslie’s Pioneering Dunk

We begin with the dunk that started it all. Lisa Leslie etched her name in history books on July 30, 2002, while playing for the Los Angeles Sparks. In a game against the Miami Sol, Lisa threw down the league’s first-ever dunk, proving that women could soar to heights.

2. Candace Parker’s Consecutive Game Slams

One of Candace Parker’s most iconic moments came in 2008 when she dunked in back-to-back games. During her 2008 rookie season with the Los Angeles Sparks, she slammed in the final seconds of a game against the Chicago Sky. She followed it up in the next game with a dunk against the Seattle Storm.

3. Sylvia Fowles All-Star Farewell Dunk

Sylvia Fowles is widely considered one of the best basketball players ever. In the final year of her 15-year career, she was voted into the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game. With just over four minutes remaining in the second quarter of that farewell All-Star Game, she surprised everyone with a right-handed slam.

4. Brittney Griner’s Day-One Dunks

No discussion of WNBA dunks is complete without highlighting Brittney Griner. In true Brittney Griner fashion, she pulled off the first dunk in her WNBA debut. And she didn’t just dunk once! She dunked twice in her first professional basketball game, setting the stage for the dozens of WNBA dunks to come.

WNBA Playoff Game Dunks

Only Brittney Griner has ever executed a dunk in a WNBA playoff game. She dunked in the first quarter of Game 2 of the 2021 WNBA Finals as her fifth-seeded Phoenix Mercury team faced off against the sixth-seeded Chicago Sky. Despite Brittney’s slam, the Sky defeated the Mercury in four games to win their first WNBA Championship.

How Many WNBA Players Can Dunk?

A handful of current WNBA players can elevate above the rim and dunk, although not all have done it in regular or postseason games. The most likely list of WNBA players that can dunk right now includes:

• Brittney Griner: Brittney last dunked in the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game.
• Jonquel Jones: It’s been six years since Jonquel’s 2017 WNBA All-Star Game dunk. So, it’s unclear whether she can still slam it..
• Awak Kuier: Awak still regularly dunks in warm-ups and dunked in a regular season game in June 2023.

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Impact on the Game

While rare in the WNBA, dunking brings an undeniable excitement. Unforgettable moments like Lisa Leslie’s historic first dunk or Brittney Griner’s countless slams generate buzz and draw more attention. These highlights become the kind of “did you see that?” moments that help to attract new viewers.

That said, dunking isn’t a significant part of the WNBA’s game. Only three other players have dunked in a regulation game outside of Brittney Griner since the league’s inception in 2021. Of the WNBA’s 12 teams (see our WNBA teams map), only four have had players who have dunked in a WNBA game.

Plus, it’s important to point out the double standard for WNBA players who dunk. If they don’t dunk, they get criticized for games not being as exciting. And when women do dunk in a game, their dunks are dismissed as “not as good as men’s.”

Still, as the talent pool deepens in the WNBA, more players will likely join the exclusive WNBA dunking club. Even the shortest WNBA players today can jump higher. 

Plus, women’s college basketball has never seen the scale of talent it has today. These younger players will be beginning their professional careers soon. For example, take Toby Fournier, a 6’2” 17-year-old wowing fans with her high-flying dunks. 

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Statistical Data

It’s only natural to wonder about the broader trends and patterns that have emerged over the years. How has the frequency of dunks evolved since Lisa Leslie’s groundbreaking slam in 2002? Is there a noticeable uptick in dunks in recent seasons?

To answer these questions and provide a deeper understanding of the trajectory of dunks in the WNBA, the below line graph of dunks in WNBA history helps shed light on the evolving nature of the game.

More WNBA Trivia

Thanks for joining us for our breakdown of WNBA dunks. You can discover more interesting facts about the WNBA, such as who is the WNBA logo, by visiting our fan guide to the WNBA.