10 NBA Players You Didn’t Know Could Jump
When it comes to NBA players who can jump, we often identify the ones who are incredible dunkers.
Aaron Gordon, Blake Griffin, DeMar Derozan, Gerald Green, Giannis “The Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and Zach LaVine quickly come to mind as leapers because they have full highlight reels.
But just because a player isn’t dunking on a nightly basis doesn’t mean that they can’t get up.
Check out the following 10 players, who have more bounce than you might expect.
1. Steph Curry, PG Golden State Warriors
It’s easy to assume that Steph Curry can’t jump because he’s a 6’3″ point guard who shoots 10 three-pointers a game. Plus, it’s not like you see a bunch of Russell Westbrook-type highlights of Curry dunking over big guys.
Nevertheless, this record-breaking 3-point shooter can get up. Case in point, watch this 360 dunk in warm-ups.
https://twitter.com/warriors/status/812093105184899075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
2. Pat Connaughton, SG Portland Trail Blazers
Pat Connaughton has two things working against him: 1) he’s white, 2) he just not a very good player right now.
This robs people of the chance to see a guy who shocked many people at the 2015 NBA Combine with a 44-inch vertical leap. The former Notre Dame star is still early in his career, so maybe he’ll get to dunk over NBA players later on.
3. Iman Shumpert, SG Cleveland Cavaliers
Nobody’s saying that Iman Shumpert doesn’t look athletic. But he’s mostly known as a defensive specialist, rather than a dunker or somebody with any semblance of offense.
Shumpert not only has a 42-inch vertical, but also some pretty sweet dunk highlights. Check them out below, and see where Shumpert ranks on our list of craziest dressed athletes.
4. Michael Carter-Williams, PG Chicago Bulls
Michael Carter-Williams is seen as a prototypical point guard who distributes the ball and runs the offense. But he can also get off the floor when the need arises, as his 41-inch vertical indicates.
Here’s a look at Carter-Williams dunking over No.1 on our list.
5. Miles Plumlee, C Milwaukee Bucks
Miles Plumlee is 6’11”, white, and a center — not exactly a combination that screams verticality.
But Plumlee can jump over 40 inches and has some solid dunks in his career. Here’s a compilation of his top 10 dunks.
6. Shane Larkin, PG Brooklyn Nets
People may not realize that Shane Larkin — son of retired Cincinnati Reds star Barry Larkin — can dunk because he’s only 5’10”. It doesn’t help matters that he plays on the Brooklyn Nets, who just aren’t that interesting nor very good.
But as the video below shows, Larkin definitely inherited his father’s athletic ability, and then some. Further evidence of Larkin’s jumping ability comes from his 44-inch vertical at the 2013 Combine.
7. Matt Barnes, SF Memphis Grizzlies
The problem with Matt Barnes is that he gains more attention for his technical fouls, antics, and off-court incidents than he does for his athletic ability.
But as someone with a 40.5-inch vertical, it’s obvious that Barnes can get up.
8. Isaiah Thomas, PG Boston Celtics
At 5’9″, Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas doesn’t get many dunking opportunities in games. But even at well under 6 feet tall, Thomas can still dunk.
Here’s a look at Thomas winning a dunk competition during his days as a Washington Husky.
9. Chase Budinger, SG/SF Brooklyn Nets
One look at this Blonde-haired assassin says perimeter player. And Budinger has made an NBA journeyman career out of shooting 35% from the three-point arc.
But don’t let looks fool you because Budinger can jump over 38 inches. Here’s a look at some of his highlight dunks.
10. Chris Paul, PG Los Angeles Clippers
Christ Paul has been an assist machine over his career, averaging 9.9 assists over 12 seasons. He currently ranks 10th all time with 8,000 at the time of this writing.
But the 6-foot point guard also showed off a 38-inch vertical at the 2005 NBA Combine. And, as these videos show, he can also dunk.