How to Dunk Like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is considered one of the greatest centers to ever play in the NBA. At 7-foot-2, Abdul-Jabbar towered over most opponents. While best known for his infamous sky-hook shot, Abdul-Jabbar recorded his fair share of dunks throughout his 20-season NBA career. Because of his tall frame, Abdul-Jabbar barely had to leave the ground on dunks, as he would often hold the ball in one hand and flush it right through the basket. With some practice and a little assistance, you can attempt to dunk the ball like the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

Things You'll Need

  • Basketball
  • Adjustable-size hoop
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Instructions

    • 1

      Adjust the basket so that the rim is less than two feet above your head. If you feel comfortable dunking on a regulation basket (10 feet tall), no adjustments are needed. Abdul-Jabbar's height and wingspan made dunking quite easy, but you may need to alter the dimensions to suit your body.

    • 2

      Stand near the basket and palm the basketball in your dominant hand. You may need a running start to gather enough momentum to reach the rim. If you cannot palm the ball, hold it with two hands or cradle it with your hand underneath.

    • 3

      With your eyes on the basket, raise the ball up into the air. Jump as high as necessary to reach the ball up and over the rim. If you are standing by the basket, jump off of both feet. If you need a running start, raise the leg on the side of your shooting hand and push off the ground with your opposite foot.

    • 4

      Throw the ball through the hoop when you are above the rim and hovering over the basket.

    • 5

      Return to the ground safely.