Tallest NBA Players To Never Dunk In Their Careers

Steve Novak was the ultimate floor spacer. The player spent 11 seasons in the NBA playing for nine teams, averaging 4.7 points per game while shooting an insane 43% from three. Novak wasn’t on the court to dominate in the paint or throw down monster dunks—his job was to catch the ball and let it fly from deep. And he did that about as well as anyone.

Here’s the wild part: Novak never dunked. Not once. At 6’10", that’s hard to wrap your head around, but it’s true. He wasn’t the type to drive to the hoop, and even when he got close, he’d go for a floater or a quick jumper instead. Dunking just wasn’t in his bag.

But Novak didn’t need dunks to leave his mark. During his time with the Knicks, he led the league in three-point percentage for a season, and his ability to stretch the floor made him a weapon wherever he went. Sure, he stayed grounded his whole career, but when you shoot like he did, who needs to jump?

Dzanan Musa (6'9")

Dzanan Musa didn’t stick around the NBA for long, but he still managed to make an impression. The 6’9” Bosnian forward played just 49 games across two seasons with the Nets, averaging 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in limited minutes. Musa’s game was more about skill and finesse than athleticism, which is probably why he never dunked during his brief NBA stint.

Despite his height, Musa wasn’t the type to attack the rim. He was more comfortable as a perimeter player, relying on his shooting and playmaking instead of brute force. His role on the Nets didn’t give him a lot of opportunities to get above the rim either, so the lack of dunks wasn’t all that surprising.

After his time in the NBA, Musa went on to have a successful career overseas, showing off the versatility and scoring touch that made him a standout prospect. Sure, he never threw down a dunk in the league, but he found other ways to make his mark on the court.

Brian Evans (6'8")

Brian Evans had a short-lived NBA career, but the 6'8" forward still found ways to contribute during his time in the league. Drafted 27th overall in 1996, he played just two seasons, splitting time between the Magic and Nets. In 71 career games, Evans averaged 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds, mostly as a role player coming off the bench.

What stands out about Evans is that, despite his size, he never dunked in an NBA game. His game leaned more toward mid-range shooting and spacing the floor rather than getting physical in the paint. Evans wasn’t exactly an above-the-rim athlete, and his playing style didn’t put him in positions to throw it down.

After leaving the NBA, Evans continued his basketball journey overseas and in minor leagues. While his time in the league was brief, the fact that he never dunked adds a quirky footnote to his NBA story—proving that not every tall player is destined to live above the rim.

Caleb Houstan (6'8")

Caleb Houstan is one of the more surprising names on this list because he’s still young and early in his NBA career. Standing at 6’8”, Houstan was drafted by the Magic in 2022 and has played sparingly since entering the league. In his first two seasons, he’s averaged 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in just over 10 minutes per game, primarily as a floor-spacing forward off the bench.

What’s shocking is that Houstan hasn’t dunked yet. For a guy with his size and athletic potential, you’d think he would’ve caught a fast break or at least thrown one down in transition by now. Instead, his game so far has revolved around spot-up shooting and playing within the Magic’s system.

There’s still plenty of time for Houstan to break his dunk-less streak, but for now, he’s on this quirky list of taller NBA players who’ve yet to touch the rim in-game. Maybe he’s saving his first dunk for a big moment, or maybe it just isn’t his thing—we’ll have to wait and see.

Jason Kapono (6'8")

Jason Kapono was a sharpshooter through and through. The 6’8” forward spent eight seasons in the NBA, carving out a role as a three-point specialist. Kapono averaged 6.7 points per game over his career and was lights-out from beyond the arc, shooting 43.4% from deep. He even won back-to-back Three-Point Contests at All-Star Weekend, solidifying his rep as one of the best marksmen of his era.

But here’s the catch—Kapono never dunked. Not once in over 9,000 minutes of NBA action. His game was all about spacing the floor, hitting corner threes, and avoiding the paint at all costs. Even in transition, Kapono was more likely to pull up for a jumper than try to finish at the rim. Dunking just wasn’t part of his skill set or his role.

Kapono’s career is proof that you don’t need to be an above-the-rim player to stick around in the league. He made a solid impact as a shooter and was exactly the type of role player teams needed in the modern NBA. Sure, he never dunked, but when you shoot the way he did, no one really cared.

Matt Ryan (6'7")

Matt Ryan is a bit of a journeyman, but his story is one of perseverance. At 6’7”, he’s bounced around the league since 2021, playing for multiple teams and earning his keep as a reliable three-point shooter, as a member of the New York Knicks right now. Across his young career so far, Ryan has averaged 3.3 points in limited minutes, carving out a niche as a guy who can stretch the floor when needed.

What makes Ryan stand out on this list is that, despite his size, he’s yet to dunk in an NBA game. For someone with the height and athleticism to at least sneak in one dunk, it’s a little surprising. Ryan’s game is built around his shooting, though, so he spends most of his time on the perimeter instead of attacking the basket.

There’s still time for Ryan to check the dunk box as his career progresses, but for now, he’s holding it down as one of the taller players to never throw one down. Maybe he’ll catch a breakaway one of these days, but until then, he’s all about letting it fly from deep.

Sergey Karasev (6'7")

Sergey Karasev came into the NBA as a highly touted prospect from Russia, but his career in the league was pretty short-lived. The 6’7” forward was drafted 19th overall in 2013 and played three seasons between the Cavaliers and Nets, averaging 4.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in just over 14 minutes per game. He was primarily a role player who flashed some shooting ability but never really found his footing.

Despite his size, Karasev never recorded a dunk in his NBA career. His game leaned more toward being a perimeter player, and he wasn’t exactly known for his explosiveness or athleticism. Most of his scoring came from jumpers and the occasional layup, so dunking just wasn’t part of his repertoire.

After his time in the NBA, Karasev went back to Europe, where he had much more success, playing key roles on some strong teams. His dunk-less NBA stint might raise some eyebrows, but it’s just a fun little quirk in the career of a player who found his groove elsewhere.

Ignas Brazdeikis (6'7")

Ignas Brazdeikis had a brief stint in the NBA but left a lasting impression with his hard-nosed play. Standing 6’7”, the Lithuanian-Canadian forward played for three seasons between 2019 and 2021, suiting up for teams like the Knicks and Magic. In 64 career games, Brazdeikis averaged 5.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in limited minutes, often coming off the bench as an energy guy.

What’s surprising is that, despite his size and physicality, Brazdeikis never registered a dunk in the NBA. His game leaned more on hustle and skill than athleticism, and he rarely found himself in positions to attack the rim with authority. Even in transition, he seemed more comfortable finishing with layups or floaters than trying to rise above defenders.

After leaving the NBA, Brazdeikis has continued his basketball journey overseas, showing flashes of his scoring ability. While his dunk-less NBA career might seem odd for a player of his size, it’s just another quirky stat in the world of basketball.

Jalen Wilson (6'7")

Jalen Wilson is just getting his NBA career started, but he’s already landed on this unique list. Standing at 6’7”, Wilson was drafted by the Nets in 2023 and has spent most of his rookie season adjusting to the pace and physicality of the league. In limited minutes, he’s averaged 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, mostly as a bench player looking to prove himself.

The surprising part? He’s yet to record a dunk. For someone with his height and versatility, you’d expect at least one throwdown in transition or off a cut, but so far, Wilson has kept his scoring grounded. His game currently focuses more on jump shots and effort plays, which might explain the lack of above-the-rim highlights.

Of course, Wilson is just starting his NBA journey, so there’s plenty of time for him to shake this stat. Until then, he joins the short list of taller players who’ve managed to avoid the rim entirely, whether by design or sheer coincidence.

Nick Calathes (6'6")

Nick Calathes had a unique NBA career, splitting his time between the league and a wildly successful stint in Europe. Standing 6’6”, the crafty guard played two seasons with the Grizzlies from 2013 to 2015. He averaged 4.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 129 games, showing off his playmaking and basketball IQ rather than athleticism.

What sets Calathes apart is that he never recorded a single dunk during his NBA career. It’s not entirely shocking since his game revolved around facilitating and making the right plays rather than attacking the rim. His lack of explosiveness was clear, and he relied on skill and timing to make an impact instead of high-flying finishes.

After his time in the NBA, Calathes returned to Europe, where he became a star. He’s one of the most decorated players in EuroLeague history, proving that you don’t need dunks to dominate the game. In fact, his passing and leadership have made him one of the best guards outside of the NBA.

AJ Green (6'5")

A.J. Green has quietly become an important piece for the Bucks this season. The 6'5" sharpshooter is averaging 8.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game, while shooting nearly 48% from the field and 41% from three. He’s proving to be a reliable spark off the bench and a key floor-spacer for Milwaukee.

What’s wild is that, even with his increased role, Green still hasn’t dunked in an NBA game. For a guy with solid size and plenty of minutes, you’d think he’d have at least one by now, but his game is all about staying on the perimeter and knocking down jumpers. Dunking just isn’t part of his style.

Green’s improvement this season has been impressive, and he’s showing he can be more than just a shooter. While he might not give you highlight-reel dunks, his shooting and consistent production make him a big asset for the Bucks.

Drew Barry (6'5")

Drew Barry had a short and unassuming NBA career, but his place on this list makes him stand out. The 6'5" guard played just two seasons between 1997 and 1999, suiting up for the Hawks, Warriors, and Sonics. In 60 career games, Barry averaged 2.2 points, 1.5 assists, and 0.7 rebounds, primarily as a reserve.

Despite his height, Barry never dunked in an NBA game. His game was more focused on playmaking and knocking down mid-range jumpers when the opportunity arose. Dunking was never really part of his skill set, and his limited athleticism didn’t exactly lend itself to highlight-reel finishes.

Barry’s time in the league may have been brief, but his quirky stat of never recording a dunk adds an interesting wrinkle to his story. While he wasn’t a high-flyer, he carved out his niche as a steady, if understated, presence during his short NBA stint.

Milos Teodosic (6'5")

Milos Teodosic was a magician with the basketball during his time in the NBA, but dunking? Not his thing. The 6’5” Serbian point guard spent two seasons with the Clippers from 2017 to 2019, where he averaged 8.0 points and 4.0 assists in 60 games. His playmaking was his bread and butter, dazzling fans and teammates alike with no-look passes and incredible court vision.

Teodosic never recorded a dunk in the NBA, which isn’t surprising given his lack of explosiveness. He was never known for his athleticism but instead relied on his basketball IQ and creativity to make plays. Even when he got close to the basket, he’d opt for a crafty layup or a floater instead of going for the rim.

Though his NBA stint was short, Teodosic returned to Europe and continued dominating as one of the best guards outside the league. Dunk or no dunk, his ability to run an offense and create highlight passes made him a fan favorite wherever he played.

Roko Ukic (6'5")

Roko Ukic had a brief NBA career but left an impression as a crafty guard with solid size at 6’5”. The Croatian point guard played two seasons in the league, suiting up for the Raptors and Bucks between 2008 and 2010. In 85 career games, he averaged 4.3 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 rebounds in a backup role, showcasing flashes of playmaking and scoring ability.

What makes Ukic unique is that he never dunked in an NBA game. Despite his height, his game wasn’t built on athleticism or attacking the rim. Instead, Ukic relied on finesse, mid-range jumpers, and floaters to get his points. He rarely found himself in situations where a dunk was even an option.

After his time in the NBA, Ukic returned to Europe, where he had a much longer and more successful career. While his dunk-less NBA stint adds a quirky note to his resume, Ukic’s skill and creativity kept him relevant on the international stage for years.

Ty Jerome (6'5")

Ty Jerome has been a pleasant surprise for the Cavaliers this season. After signing with Cleveland in July 2023, the 6'5" guard has stepped up, especially when the team needed depth in the backcourt. He's averaging 1134 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, all while shooting an impressive 55.1% from the field and 47.1% from beyond the arc. His efficient shooting and smart playmaking have made him a reliable contributor off the bench.

One standout performance came in November against the New Orleans Pelicans. Jerome exploded for a career-high 29 points, with 27 of those coming in the first half. He was on fire from deep, knocking down seven three-pointers and leading the Cavs to a dominant 128–100 victory. Games like this highlight his ability to provide instant offense and energize the team.

Although having a 6'5" frame, Jerome has yet to record a dunk in his NBA career. His game is more about finesse and skill rather than high-flying athleticism. He excels in orchestrating the offense, finding open teammates, and hitting shots from the perimeter. While he may not be throwing down dunks, his contributions have been vital to the Cavaliers' strong performance this season.