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Although shooting has become a vital part of the game, many basketball fans would tell you that dunking is still one of the most exciting plays to watch in the sport.
Not only does it bring fans out of the seats, but it can also be an intimidating play that shifts momentum back for your team. Most importantly, it is still one of the most surefire ways to score a basket.
Compared to previous eras, the current NBA might have less dominant big men being able to defend the paint. Therefore, having a high-flyer with the ability to perform elite dunks can give your team a huge advantage.
With that said, here’s a look at the best dunkers in NBA 2K22.
Zion Williamson (Driving Dunk 97)
Overall Rating: 89
Position: PF/C
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Archetype: Slashing Four
Best Stats: 98 Driving Layup, Vertical 99, Driving Dunk 97
Arguably the most athletically gifted forward to enter the NBA since LeBron James, Zion Williamson is once again the top dunker in NBA 2K. With a 97 driving dunk, 99 vertical, and 90 strength, Williamson is almost impossible to stop when he attacks the basket with a full head of steam.
At only 21-years-old, he is already a top-ten scorer in the league, averaging 27 points per game last season. Williamson will look to build off of an impressive early NBA career and will likely treat fans with several more memorable dunks along the way.
In NBA 2K22, he has 30 badges, including nine Gold badges and one Hall of Fame finishing badge. These badges make him one of the toughest players to defend at the rim, as he should be able to dominate most of the opponents that he encounters in the paint.
Zach LaVine (Driving Dunk 95)
Overall Rating: 87
Position: SG/SF
Team: Chicago Bulls
Archetype: Scoring Machine
Best Stats: 98 Offensive Consistency, 98 Stamina, 97 Vertical
It took Zach LaVine a few years to find his game in the NBA, but it seems like he is finally living up to the hype of being a lottery pick. Consistently improving over the past seven years, the Chicago Bulls star finally became an All-Star last season.
For several reasons, players in the community would argue that he is one of the most fun players to use in 2K22, given that he has the ability to score on his opponents in multiple ways. He is also equipped with some of the best dunk animations in the game.
For those that choose to use the Chicago Bulls, it would be a mistake if you don’t take advantage of LaVine’s ferocious dunking ability. With the second-highest driving dunk rating in the game (95), along with an elite vertical (97), it will be tempting to posterize your opponents every chance you get.
Aaron Gordon (Driving Dunk 95)
Overall Rating: 78
Position: PF/SF
Team: Denver Nuggets
Archetype: Interior Finisher
Best Stats: 95 Driving Dunk, 95 Standing Dunk, 95 Hands
It’s not a surprise that the All-Star Weekend Dunk Contest legend makes it onto the list of the best dunkers in NBA 2K22. Heading into his eighth NBA season, the former fourth-overall pick of the Orlando Magic has carved out of a nice career for himself thus far.
Although it’s hard to consider him a superstar in the league, many would argue that he is one of the most memorable dunkers to play in recent years.
He is certainly one of the more dominant dunkers to use in NBA 2K22, and it also doesn’t hurt that he plays on a very good Denver Nuggets team. Sharing the floor with players like Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokić, and Michael Porter Jr. should only open up more opportunities for Gordon to dunk.
Equipped with two important Gold-level finishing badges (Posterizer, Lob City Finisher), Aaron Gordon will be a very useful player for teams that want to run in transition and throw lobs as often as possible.
Ja Morant (Driving Dunk 94)
Overall Rating: 86
Position: PG
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Archetype: Slashing Playmaker
Best Stats: 94 Driving Dunk, 94 Layup, 92 Speed
It might be a bit unusual to see a 6’3’’ guard on this list, which goes to show how special Ja Morant really is. Mostly known for this playmaking ability, Morant’s dunking prowess can sometimes be overlooked.
However, when he decides to take it to rack and throw it down, there isn’t any question that he is one of the best dunking point guards in the league today. This might not be good news for teams around the league, as Morant is only 22-years-old, and it doesn’t seem like he’s reached his ceiling yet.
Equipped with 37 badges spread out across finishing, playmaking, and shooting, it’s fair to say that Morant is one of the most well-rounded dunkers to use in 2K22. Match that with a 92 for speed and acceleration, and he is also one of the faster players in the game, which makes him a matchup nightmare for most point guards.
Derrick Jones Jr. (Driving Dunk 94)
Overall Rating: 74
Position: SF/PF
Team: Chicago Bulls
Archetype: Athletic Finisher
Best Stats: 94 Driving Dunk, 93 Vertical, 90 Hands
It’s almost unfair to have two top-five dunkers on the same team, but the Chicago Bulls have just that. Although Derrick Jones Jr. is more of a role player, it is almost tempting to put him and Zach LaVine on the floor at the same time.
Although he hasn’t broken out at the NBA level yet, his per-36-minute stats see him averaging 12 points, six rebounds, and almost two blocks per game. So perhaps he is just an opportunity away from becoming more than a bench player.
Arguably one of the more underrated dunkers in the league today, Jones Jr. is always a threat to make highlight-reel plays when given the opportunity. Perhaps he is one of the best-kept secrets in 2K22 when it comes to posterizing opposing players under the rim, and can be a perfect weapon to unleash when you decide to use the Chicago Bulls – or if you trade for the relatively low-cost dunk specialist.
John Collins (Driving Dunk 93)
Overall Rating: 85
Position: C/PF
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Archetype: Three-Level Scorer
Best Stats: 96 Hustle, 95 Offensive Consistency, 93 Driving Dunk
John Collins is what many would call a prototypical big man in the NBA today. With the ability to score from beyond the arc and with a good touch under the basket, he is every coach’s dream.
At 23-years-old and still developing, Collins looks like a player who is ready to take another step forward. Heading into this season, he could set new career highs across the board.
If he is able to find more consistency with his outside shot, opponents won’t have any choice but to guard him closer, therefore opening up more space for him to blow by his opponents for more dunks.
It also doesn’t hurt that Collins is playing alongside a very talented point guard (Trae Young) in Atlanta. Therefore, as the chemistry between the two continues to improve, Collins should get easier looks at the basket and put up even better offensive stats.
If you plan to use the Atlanta Hawks in 2K22, knowing how to utilize the two-man game with Young and Collins will be key in helping you to win more games. Collins has five Gold finishing badges, including Highlight Film and Putback Boss. Therefore, this gives you the best of both worlds as you can either beat your opponent from deep with Young’s elite shooting, or near the basket with Collins’ ability to finish at the rack.
Hamidou Diallo (Driving Dunk 93)
Overall Rating: 77
Position: SF/SG
Team: Detroit Pistons
Archetype: Slasher
Best Stats: 93 Driving Dunk, 97 Vertical, 92 Shot IQ
Although he is one of the less-accomplished NBA players on this list, knowledgeable NBA fans will tell you that Hamidou Diallo could be their sleeper pick to significantly improve this season.
The 2019 Slam Dunk champion spent the last few seasons coming off of the bench with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the process of developing his game, he was able to almost double his points per game from six points to 12 points over the course of just two seasons.
Traded to the Detroit Pistons earlier this year – in exchange for Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and a future second-round draft pick – the new address might finally be the opportunity that Diallo needs to develop into a legitimate NBA starter. The Pistons don’t have a deep team, and there are plenty of opportunities for players looking for a second chance; so, perhaps, this Detroit is the perfect landing spot for him.
As a slasher in NBA 2K22, Diallo is a bit one-dimensional, but his driving dunk (93) and vertical (97) should be a huge asset for the Pistons. He currently only has one Gold finishing badge (Highlight Film), but if he comes out strong early in the season, we might see a few more badges added to his name in 2K22 updates.
All the best dunkers in NBA 2K22
Now you know exactly which players you can turn to for emphatic and demoralizing dunks in NBA 2K22.
Looking for more NBA 2K22 guides?
NBA 2K22: Best Defensive Badges to Boost Your Game
NBA 2K22: Best Shooting Badges to Boost Your Game
NBA 2K22: Best Finishing Badges to Boost Your Game
NBA 2K22: Best Playmaking Badges to Boost Your Game
NBA 2K22 Badges Explained: Everything you need to know
NBA 2K23: Best Teams To Play For As A Small Forward (SF) in MyCareer
NBA 2K23: Best Teams To Play For As A Center (C) in MyCareer
NBA 2K22: Best Teams for a (SG) Shooting Guard
NBA 2K22 Sliders Explained: Guide for a Realistic Experience
NBA 2K22: Easy Methods to Earn VC Fast
NBA 2K22: Complete Controls Guide for Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4 & PS5
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