The Exclusive Club: Only 8 WNBA Players Have Dunked In A Game (And The Rookie Who Will Be Next In 2025)
The answer is a resounding yes: WNBA players absolutely can and do dunk, but it remains one of the rarest and most electric moments in professional basketball. As of the end of the 2025 WNBA season, this feat has been accomplished a total of 38 times in the history of the league, a stark contrast to the thousands of dunks seen in the NBA. This scarcity transforms every successful slam into an instant viral highlight, setting the WNBA apart from its male counterpart and creating an exclusive club of players who possess the necessary combination of height, strength, and vertical leap to conquer the 10-foot rim. The conversation is currently dominated by the all-time leader, Brittney Griner, and the anticipation surrounding the next generation of rim-rockers, including the highly-touted 2025 rookie class.
The rarity of the WNBA dunk is not a matter of ability, but of biomechanical reality. The rim height is the same as the NBA—a full 10 feet—but the average height of a WNBA player is approximately six inches shorter than an NBA player, and women generally possess less upper body and explosive muscle mass than men. Despite these physical differences, the list of players who have successfully pulled off an in-game dunk is a testament to the elite athleticism of the league's biggest stars, and that list is expected to grow sooner rather than later with the influx of high-flying talent.
The Complete List: WNBA Players Who Have Dunked in a Game
The list of WNBA players who have recorded a successful dunk in a regular season, playoff, or All-Star game is incredibly short, featuring only eight names in the league's history. These athletes are legends for their overall careers, but their dunks mark a special place in the annals of basketball history. The total count of dunks is 38, with one player responsible for the vast majority of them.
| Player | Team(s) | Total Career WNBA Dunks (Approx.) | First Dunk Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brittney Griner | Phoenix Mercury | 27 | May 27, 2013 |
| Lisa Leslie | Los Angeles Sparks | 1 | July 30, 2002 |
| Candace Parker | Los Angeles Sparks | 2 | June 22, 2008 |
| Sylvia Fowles | Chicago Sky | 2 | July 19, 2009 |
| Michelle Snow | Houston Comets | 1 | July 23, 2006 (All-Star Game) |
| Liz Cambage | Tulsa Shock | 1 | July 22, 2011 |
| Jonquel Jones | Connecticut Sun | 1 | July 10, 2022 |
| Awak Kuier | Dallas Wings | 1 | July 10, 2022 |
This list highlights the magnitude of Brittney Griner’s dominance in this category. Her 27 dunks account for over 70% of all dunks in WNBA history, making her the undisputed queen of the slam. The other seven players are tied with either one or two dunks, underscoring how difficult the feat is for even the most athletic women in the world.
The All-Time Leader and the Pioneers of the Slam
The history of the WNBA dunk is defined by a series of groundbreaking moments, from the first time the ball went through the net to the player who made it a semi-regular occurrence.
Lisa Leslie: The First to Fly
The honor of the first-ever WNBA dunk belongs to the legendary Lisa Leslie. On July 30, 2002, while playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, Leslie made history by throwing down a one-handed slam against the Miami Sol. This moment was not just a highlight; it was a cultural milestone for women's basketball, proving that the athleticism and power existed to match the men's game at the rim. Michelle Snow followed suit in 2006, recording the second-ever dunk during the WNBA All-Star Game.
Brittney Griner: The Dunking Machine
Brittney Griner, who entered the league in 2013, completely reset the bar for WNBA dunks. She recorded her first two dunks in her debut game, becoming the first player in WNBA history to dunk twice in a single game. Griner’s 6-foot-9 frame and exceptional wingspan have made her the most prolific dunker by a massive margin. Her 27 career dunks are a record that is unlikely to be broken anytime soon, solidifying her legacy as the WNBA's all-time dunk leader.
The Newest Members of the Club
In the 2022 season, the exclusive club gained two new members, further demonstrating the increasing athleticism in the league. Jonquel Jones, then with the Connecticut Sun, threw down her first career dunk. On the very same day, Awak Kuier of the Dallas Wings also recorded her first career dunk, becoming the eighth player in league history to do so. These two dunks on the same day were a powerful signal that the next generation of WNBA stars is ready to take flight.
The Next Generation: Who Will Be the 9th WNBA Dunker?
The biggest buzz in the WNBA heading into the late 2025 season is not about which established star will dunk next, but which rookie will join the list. The spotlight is currently on a player drafted in the 2025 WNBA Draft who has already proven she has the vertical and power to throw it down.
Dominique Malonga: The Seattle Storm Sensation
The Seattle Storm's 2025 rookie, Dominique Malonga, is widely considered the next player who will officially join the WNBA dunking club. The French phenom became a viral sensation in October 2024 after she successfully dunked in an official game while playing for her French team, Lyon ASVEL Féminin. Standing at 6-foot-6, Malonga possesses the height and explosive athleticism that has WNBA fans and players alike on high alert. Many anticipate she will be the ninth player to record a WNBA dunk, and potentially the first to do so in the 2025 season, bringing new excitement and flair to the league's highlights.
Beyond Malonga, other players like Breanna Stewart and A'ja Wilson have demonstrated the ability to dunk in practice or warmups, suggesting that the next WNBA dunk could come from any of the league's elite frontcourt players.
Why WNBA Dunks Remain a Rarity: The Biomechanics
Understanding why dunks are so rare is key to appreciating the athleticism of the women who accomplish them. The rim is 10 feet high, and the ball is the same size as the NBA ball. The main reasons for the scarcity are rooted in human physiology and physics.
- Average Height Difference: The average height of a WNBA player is about 6 feet, while the average height of an NBA player is closer to 6-foot-7. That seven-inch difference is significant when trying to reach a 10-foot rim.
- Biomechanics and Explosive Power: On average, women have less muscle mass and less explosive power in their legs compared to men, making the necessary vertical jump to clear the rim a much more demanding physical feat.
- Focus on Efficiency: For a WNBA player, attempting a dunk carries a high risk of a turnover or an embarrassing missed shot. Given the difficulty, a layup or a jump shot is almost always the more efficient and higher-percentage play, especially in high-leverage situations. This is why many players who can dunk, often choose not to in a game unless the opportunity is perfect.
Ultimately, the rarity of the WNBA dunk is what makes it so special. It transforms a routine two-point basket into a moment of pure, history-making athleticism. As the league continues to grow and attract increasingly talented and powerful athletes, the "Exclusive Club" of WNBA dunkers will undoubtedly continue to expand, with the 39th, 40th, and future dunks ready to electrify the basketball world.
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