The Arizona Wildcat ‘Red and Blue’ game is about three months away. Let’s revisit the Top 5 Dunk Contest dunks since 2010.
Most fans and players can agree that one of the of the most exciting moments of a game is when a player dunks the ball. This October, Wildcat fans will be able to see their favorite players take part in a Wildcat tradition – the Red and Blue Game dunk contest!
There have been AMAZING dunks by former Wildcats in the last seven years. Past winners have included: Rawle Alkins, Mark Tollefson, and Aaron Gordon, Nick Johnson, Gabe York and Stanley Johnson.
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Some entertaining moves include:
- Jumping over players
- Leaping over the head coach
- 360, between the legs combos
- Backward dunk after bringing the ball down between your legs
- Ball between your legs and then into the basket
- You name it
The players enjoy performing the dunks as much as the fans or more. Ira Lee and Brandon Randolph wowed fans at the Ballislife All-American game and made more fans in the process. We don’t yet know who will be in this year’s Red and Blue game dunk contest, we can only imagine as there are so many candidates.
We know Rawle Alkins has said he is working on his dunks getting ready for October. But first the team will travel to Spain to play in some exhibition games.
Enough talk, let’s see some dunks! Here are the Top 5, starting at No. 5.
No.5 Mark Tollefsen – 2015-16
Always follow your shot! That is what Mark Tollefsen did in this dunk. In this case though he added a twist by catching the ball after it already had gone through the basket. Once Tollefsen caught the ball, he put it between his legs and dunked it with AUTHORITY with the left hand! This won him the event.
Tollefson was a transfer from the University of San Francisco and played his senior year at Arizona. As a Wildcat, he averaged seven points and three rebounds per game. Dunking the ball is apparently Tollefsen’s strength. This past season in the Estonian league, he won the 2017 Estonian Slam Dunk Contest:
https://twitter.com/sciguyrosen/status/853476237934600193
No.4 Nick Johnson – 2011-12
Up, up and away! That is what Nick Johnson showcased during the 2011 Red and Blue Slam Dunk Contest. He needed 30 points for the win and went all in on his final dunk.
After being unsuccessful in his previous attempt, Johnson made sure he didn’t miss on the second one. From about half court Johnson threw the ball in the air, caught it off of one bounce, caught it with his right hand, went between his legs to his left hand and THREW it down!
At 6-foot-3, Johnson showed he has the hops like a big man. During his three years at Arizona, he averaged 12 points, four rebounds per game and in his senior year, he was Pac 12 Player of the Year. Similar to Tollefson, Johnson had a spectacular dunk on the professional level. Three years ago during the Orlando Summer League, this happened:
Back in 2009, Johnson had this one while playing for the AAU Team Drew Gooden Soliders. Even Brandon Ashley was impressed:
No.3 Stanley Johnson – 2014-15
Between the legs for the victory! Seems to be a common theme among the top dunks. In the 2014 Red and Blue Dunk Contest, Stanley Johnson went through the legs and absolutely CRUSHED it with his right hand!
A five-star recruit out of Mater Dei High School, Johnson did not disappoint Wildcat fans. Many believe he was going to be gone after his freshman year due to his talent level – they were right! As a Wildcat, Johnson averaged 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and 28 minutes per game.
Johnson did not play like a freshman at all. The way his body iws built, the confidence he had and how he carried himself was awesome to watch – similar to Alkins. One thing that stood out for Johnson was the velocity he had when going to the basket. An example of this would be when he SLAMMED it home against Texas Southern during the NCAA tournament. According to Reggie Miller, he is a “man-child”:
No.2 Aaron Gordon – 2013-14
Get up, Big Man! Aaron Gordon showcased his creativity in the 2013 Red and Blue Dunk Contest. He started the dunk by dribbling with his left hand, then mid spin he put the ball between his legs and he DUNKED it with his right hand – what!?
You have to slow it down to even understand what he did here and will require watching a few times to understand. Even TJ McConnell and Jacob Hazzard were speechless – their reaction to the dunk was priceless!
Gordon was a five-star McDonald’s All American recruit out of San José. Like Johnson, Gordon left after his freshman year to pursue his dreams in the NBA. While at Arizona, Gordon averaged 13 points and nine rebounds per game.
In his second year in the NBA, Gordon performed one of the GREATEST dunks in recent NBA Dunk Contest history. Unfortunately, he finished second to Zach Lavine – how is that even possible?? Wildcats all just believe he won, and we will not be corrected!
No.1 Rawle Alkins – 2016-17
The “assist” heard around the Wildcat world. Talking about putting the faith and trust into your players, especially a freshman. There is a reason why they call it Point Guard U, even the coaches get involved with an assist!
In this dunk, Alkins leaped over his coaches head, grabbed the ball with two hands and dunked it behind his head – GAME OVER!
Prior to the dunk, coach Sean Miller and Alkins had an agreement that if Alkins were to do this dunk, he would have to perform on the defensive end during the season – and he did! Over the course of the season and during this most recent offseason, Alkins has quickly become a fan favorite.
He tested the waters during the NBA Combine, deciding the best decision for himself and his family was to come back to Arizona for another year – fans were excited when they heard the news!
Story is not over yet, still have some unfinished business to take care of💯 🙏🏿 SAVAGELIFE pic.twitter.com/eOBwEYLdL6
— Rawle Alkins (@Iam_RawleAlkins) May 21, 2017
During his freshman year, Alkins averaged 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists per game. He started in every game for the Wildcats, except for one and averaged 28 minutes per game. Alkins also introduced fans and fellow teammates to the “savage life” movement.
Back in May, Alkins posted this on Twitter – possibly a sneak peek into what he has in store for the 2017-18 Red and Blue Dunk Contest (Towards the end of the video Alkins hits a number of thrilling dunks):
Against the Arizona State Sun Devils, Alkins SLAMMED it with this one hand alley oop catch and slam from Kadeem Allen:
Must Read: More on Arizona Basketball
The Red and Blue Dunk Contests have been amazing to watch and Wildcat fans can’t wait to see what the players have in store this year. With all the high caliber talent at Arizona this year, these dunks are going to be on another level. BEAR DOWN!
What: Arizona Wildcats Red and Blue Game
When: October 20, 2017, time TBD
Where: Mckale Center