This year's NBA Slam Dunk Contest might not be hitting the high notes, but the season has delivered some breathtaking dunks that have fans buzzing. Anthony Black's explosive slam in Berlin was a standout, but the real showstopper has been Shaedon Sharpe of the Portland Trail Blazers. The young Canadian guard has been redefining what's possible with his jaw-dropping vertical leaps.
A recent video showcasing the season's top 10 highest verticals has been making waves on social media, and it’s no shocker that Sharpe is front and center. Kicking things off at number 10, TRe Mann amazed everyone with a 38.9-inch leap.
Trey Murphy III followed with a 39.2-inch vertical on a spectacular alley-oop. Then Sharpe took over, claiming the 8th spot with a 39.3-inch alley-oop and soaring to 39.7 inches for the 7th spot.
Gary Payton II wowed with a 39.9-inch one-handed slam for 6th place. But Sharpe wasn't done-he landed in both the 5th and 4th spots with back-to-back 40.2-inch dunks, one over the Utah Jazz and another against the Lakers.
In the 3rd spot, Ja Morant flew to a 41.1-inch vertical against the Wizards, while Derrick Jones Jr. held the 2nd spot with a 42-inch leap. But the crown jewel belongs to Sharpe, who claimed the top spot with an astonishing 47.2-inch single-hand dunk.
Despite Sharpe's electrifying performances, he's been sidelined due to a left calf strain sustained during the Blazers’ victory over the Grizzlies. Portland has managed to stay competitive, winning three of four games without him, but his presence is undeniably crucial to their success.
Currently, the Blazers are navigating a challenging season, sitting 9th in the Western Conference with a 27-29 record. They’re gearing up to face the Denver Nuggets at the Moda Center, hoping for a boost with Sharpe's eventual return.