The 10 Best Dunks in the History of College Basketball

After much research and many hours of debate, I am proud to present the best dunks in the history of men’s division 1 college basketball. All factors were taken into account to make the list: the situation, power, distance, hang time, type of dunk, presence of defender, and athleticism. There is no denying that this list is the true list of the most memorable and best dunks in college basketball to date.

10. UNC vs Duke 1995: The Jerry Stackhouse “Donkey Kong” Dunk

These rivals clash twice a year, producing some of the greatest finishes in college basketball. This 1995 thriller was nothing less, when the two teams battled through two overtimes. In what Rasheed Wallace deemed “the Donkey Kong Dunk”, UNC’s Jerry Stackhouse powers over 14 feet of Duke post player, while fouled twice, and still manages the reverse slam. Just listen to the excitement in Dickie V’s voice. Note he nearly jumped from the opposite block.

9. Louisville vs. Florida St. 1989: Everick Sullivan’s “Masterpiece”

Sullivan was most noted in this game for hitting a 3 in overtime at the buzzer to give Louisville the win. However, this dunk has been largely forgotten throughout the years. Sullivan manages to take off from the block, spin in midair, and complete a 180 slam while being fouled. The athleticism required to pull off this move is simply unbelievable.

8. Georgia Tech vs. NC State 2007: Isma’il Muhammad Climbs NC State

When Muhammad cleared Engin Atsur in midair during this game, one could only think about the Vince Carter dunk during the Sydney Olympics. It’s rare to see a player completely clear the defender (Deron Washington did in a lay up over Greg Paulus), but Isma’il is the only one I can remember in this decade to actually dunk it.

7. Cincinnati 1999 – The Melvin Levett “Superman” Put-Back

What’s better than jumping over a defender? How about jumping over your own player. Melvin Levette did just this in the 1999 NCAA tourney as he managed to clear his own player while rising 3 ft above the rim for a put-back dunk. Truly, this is one of the greatest put-backs in NCAA basketball history.

6. UNLV vs. Pacific – The Jarvis Basnight Hurdle

Just as good as Isma’il’s dunk, but nearly 20 years earlier and during the NCAA tournament. This dunk seems to last for ever as Jarvis launches himself within 2 feet of the freethrow line, cocks the ball back, and tomahawks it over the Pacific defender . . . while cleanly clearing him.

5. UCLA – The Baron Davis Behind the Back Fake and Dunk

Sometimes the dunk isn’t what makes the play. In this case, Baron Davis proves to us why the moments preceding the dunk are sometimes what makes the play beautiful. Just like the Jordan fake out of two defenders before dunking over Ewing, this is special simply because of the move. Just watch as Davis snaps the defender’s ankles.

4. NC State vs. Houston 1983 – The Larenzo Charles Dunk

Admittedly, this dunk is hideous. There is no flare to it, no hanging on the rim, but lots . . . and lots of celebration. If I were to make a list of the best dunks in college basketball, I would be a moron to leave this dunk out. Why? Because by dunking Derreck Whittenburg’s desperation shot, the “Cardiac Kids” won themselves a national championship. Maybe that’s why he strayed from the windmill or reverse dunk.

3. Kentucky vs. Mississippi State – Minnifield Goes Airborne

This dunk is often overlooked and many people have never seen it. However, the hang time and body control displayed by Dirk Minnifield during this dunk are unlike anything I have ever seen. After he launches from outside the lane, his knees and feet are level with the defender’s eyes. His vertical must be off the charts, because although science says no man can hang in the air for more than 1 second, I swear I think he defied the laws of gravity.

2. Pittsburgh vs. Providence 1988 – “The Night the House Came Down”

Ferocious beauty. Those are the only words I can think of to describe this dunk. Pittsburgh’s Jerome Lane places himself into the college history books with this dunk. He jumps from outside the block, posterizes a defender, and manages to shatter the backboard. Nothing else can really be said about this dunk, it’s simply that amazing.

1. UNC vs. Maryland 1984 – Air Jordan is Born

With only 10 seconds to go in the game, UNC’s Michael Jordan gave us a glimpse of things to come in the NBA. His hang time, the distance, and the “rock the baby” while the legs were splitting all make this dunk the best in college history. If you can deny its beauty, then you obviously are not a college basketball fan.

Did I leave any out? Let the debate begin.

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The return of #23

Will the Chicago Bulls select Derrick Rose with the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft? We know Rose won't be wearing #23 - Michael Jordan's retired number - but will Rose become that Nike swoosh wearing, championship-winning, superstar Bulls fans have been waiting 10 seasons for?

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Mike Piazza announces his retirement from baseball

Enlarge	By Kathy Willens, AP file
Mike Piazza waves to the Shea Stadium crowd after his final game as a New York Met on Oct. 5, 2005. He played nearly eight of his 16 major league seasons with the Mets and finished with 427 career home runs.

BEVERLY HILLS — Mike Piazza, 39, who hit more home runs than any other catcher in history, announced his retirement Tuesday after no team was willing to sign him and offer significant playing time.

"I knew this day was coming, and over the last two years, I started to make my peace with it," Piazza said in a statement. "It has been an amazing journey. … I walk away with no regrets."

Piazza was a 62nd-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988 who turned into a 12-time All-Star. He hit 396 of his 427 homers as a catcher during his 16-year career. He was willing to sign with a club that would provide playing time in at least half the games as a catcher or DH but received no offer, agent Dan Lozano said.

YOUR THOUGHTS: Do you have a favorite Piazza memory?

"After discussing my options with my wife, family and agent, I felt it was time to start a new chapter in my life," Piazza said in his statement. "It has been an amazing journey. … It has been a dream come true."

Tom Lasorda insisted the Dodgers draft the son of his hometown friend 20 years ago, and after hearing the news that Piazza was retiring, he had one last request.

"I would hope he would go into the Hall of Fame as a Dodger," says Lasorda, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997 after 20 years as manager of the Dodgers. "We're the one who gave him an opportunity. Here we are, from the same town (Norristown, Pa.), watching him grow up, and now we'll be into the Hall of Fame together.

"It's one of the greatest stories in baseball."

Piazza now may be eligible for the Hall of Fame in the same class as sluggers Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa and pitcher Roger Clemens, who beaned him during the 2000 season and threw a shattered bat toward him during Game 2 of the 2000 World Series.

Piazza, who played for five teams, including the Oakland Athletics last season, has hinted that his preference is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a New York Met, with whom he spent eight years. The Hall of Fame determines the final decision.

"I have to say that my time with the Mets wouldn't have been the same without the greatest fans in the world," Piazza said in his statement. "One of the hardest moments of my career was walking off the field at Shea Stadium and saying goodbye. My relationship with (the fans) made my time in New York the happiest of my career."

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