Slam Dunk

basketball · athletic moves · scoring

What it looks like. A slam dunk happens when a player jumps high enough to get the ball above the rim, then pushes it down through the basket with one or both hands. It's one of the most exciting plays in basketball.

Worth two points. Like a regular field goal, a slam dunk counts for two points on the scoreboard. It's a guaranteed score as long as the player's hands are above the rim when they stuff the ball through.

The name came from an announcer. A Los Angeles Lakers announcer named Chick Hearn invented the term 'slam dunk.' Before that, players just called it a 'dunk shot,' but Hearn's catchy name stuck and became the name everyone uses today.

A crowd favorite move. Fans love watching slam dunks because they look powerful and stylish. Dunks became so popular that the NBA created a Slam Dunk Contest where players show off their most creative and athletic dunks.