There have been many memorable dunks by the Arizona Wildcats inside McKale Center since 2000. Lets review the Top 10.
Who doesn’t like a good dunk!? Whether at home or watching inside McKale Center, witnessing the ball go through the basket with authority is exciting!
Since 2000, there have many dunks by great players. From alley-oops, to 360’s and one handed throw downs, Wildcat players have shown their skill level above the rim.
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The characteristics that make up a great dunk are: skill, vertical leap, creativity and velocity. Wildcat players such as Derrick Williams, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson, just to name a few, have those.
Time to have some fun and revisit the Top 10 dunks in numerical order starting with No.10.
No 10. Andre Iguodola
Andre Iguodola was an Arizona Wildcat from 2002-2004. Over the course of two seasons, there were many dunks he put on display at McKale Center. This video starts at :23, which does includes dunks at home and away.
No. 9 Hassan Adams
Hassan Adams has some incredible dunks! This one was in the 2004-2005 season against the USC Trojans. The dunk is at 07:15 and replayed again at 08:16 in the video (quality of the video is low).
No. 8 Gabe York dunk against Texas Tech
In the 2013-14 season, Gabe York had this down the lane one handed jam against Texas Tech. At the time, the Wildcats were ranked No.2 in the country and just coming off a big win over the Duke Blue Devils in the preseason NIT Invitational.
Known mainly for his 3 point shot, York showed off his leaping skills in this dunk (video starts at 01:48). At first it seemed as if he missed the dunk, but it went about two feet in the air and landed back in!
https://twitter.com/sciguyrosen/status/870449586204164096
No. 7 Arizona Wildcats dunk show over Devils
This past season, the Wildcats put on a “dunk city” show against the Devils at home. Rawle Alkins, Kobi Simmons, Lauri Markkanen were just some of players that got involved in the fun. Having wins over the Devils is always fun!
No. 6 Stanley Johnson alley oop against Michigan
In a 2013-14 non-conference match up, Johnson rose to the occasion against the Michigan Wolverines. He received an alley oop pass from Gabe York, then caught it one handed and HAMMERED it down!
No. 5 Nick Johnson 360 and Posterize dunks
Hops! Nick Johnson knew how to get up! Throughout his college career, he had numerous “way up in the air” dunks. These are two examples:
First one (up above) displays his creativity, spinning 360 degrees and then slamming it down against New Mexico State.
In the second dunk (below), he received a no look pass down low from Solomon Hill (which was impressive). Then Johnson used is leaping abilities to “posterize” a 7’2 footer from Clemson – say what?!?
No.4 Derrick Williams 360 and alley oop dunk
Williams had two spectacular dunks for fans inside McKale center during the 2010-11 season.
The first one (above) was against against Bethune Cookman. Kyle Fogg passed the ball down the court to Williams for a 360 spin-o-rama dunk!
The second dunk (below) by Williams, was against UCLA. He received a fast break alley oop pass from Kevin Parrom. Somehow he was able to control his body in the air, while at the same time grab the ball with one hand and slam it in.
No. 3 Aaron Gordon Red and Blue Dunk Contest
A five star recruit out of high school, Aaron Gordon didn’t disappoint Wildcat fans. During the Red and Blue Dunk Contest, Gordon performed a couple of dunks that were awesome!
First one was behind the back, under the basket reverse dunk – yep that works! Second dunk was a spin, between the legs “its over” winning dunk.
Here is another one to enjoy against Texas Tech (starts at 01:34):
No. 2 Rawle Alkins Red and Blue Dunk Contest
During the Red and Blue Dunk contest, Alkins made a statement not only to the country, but to Coach Sean Miller. Prior to the dunk, Alkins did get permission from his coach to perform the dunk, but on one condition (Said by Coach Miller prior to the dunk):
"‘We cut a deal, he lets me make him play defense, I let him do that dunk’"
He did hold up to his promise to his coach, finishing the season as one of the premier defenders and being named to the Pac 12 All Freshman Team.
The dunk itself incorporated trust between athlete and coach. Miller held the ball over his head as Alkins leaped over his head, grabbed the ball and dunked it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsKuXYwbyh
No. 1 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
On November 19, 2014 Hollis-Jefferson dunked on tallest man in NCAA at the time, 7’6″ UC Irvine center Mamadou Ndiaye – wow! Not only could this man shimmy, but he could dunk. Jefferson received the pass from Johnson down low and from almost a standing jump he threw it down with authority with the left hand.
Must Read: More Arizona Basketball stories on ZZ.....
As more and more talented athletes come play inside McKale Center, their will be an endless supply of excitement and dunks! Bear Down!