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You Tube Gold: Spud Webb’s 1986 NBA Dunk Contest Win

If you’ve never seen this you won’t believe it.

By JD King
Utah Jazz v Sacramento Kings
 SACRAMENTO, CA - 1995: Spud Webb #4 of the Sacramento Kings shoots a lay up during the game against the Utah Jazz circa 1995 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.
Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

When Jim Valvano’s assistant Tom Abatemarco took him to RDU Airport to pick up Spud Webb for his recruiting visit to Raleigh, Valvano turned to the Alphabet Man and said “you're fired.”

It was a joke of course but Webb wasn’t just 5-7. He was a skinny 5-7.

But the guy could absolutely fly. He stunned fans with a 42” vertical and turned out to be a very good all around player.

Drafted by Detroit in the 4th round in 1985, they didn’t see much point in having a pocket rocket and didn’t sign him. He spent a little time in the old USBL before Atlanta took a chance on him.

Wise move. Webb ended up being a solid pro, playing 814 games and averaging 9.9 points for his career.

And most spectacularly, he won the 1986 NBA dunk contest, defeating teammate Dominique “the Human Highlight Reel” Wilkins. Here is some video from that triumph.

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