Amanda Knapp
The dunk shot, now a staple of basketball, was once banned in high school and college basketball games. From 1967 to 1976, players were forbidden from dunking the ball and had to rely on layups or simply dropping the ball through the hoop. The ban, often called the 'Lew Alcindor Rule, was attributed to the dominance of Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who stood at 7 ft 2 inches tall. Some, including Alcindor, believed the ban had racial motives as most of the prominent dunkers in college basketball at the time were African-American.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year dunking became legal in high school basketball | 1976 |
| Years dunking was banned in high school basketball | 1967-1976 |
| Reasons for the ban | To prevent injuries, did not "display basketball skill – only height advantage" |
| Alternative names for the ban rule | "No dunk rule", "Lew Alcindor Rule" |
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What You'll Learn
The dunk was banned in high school basketball from 1967 to 1976
The dunk was banned in high school basketball for almost a decade, from 1967 to 1976. This ban was not limited to high school basketball but also extended to college basketball.
The ban, often called the "Lew Alcindor Rule", was attributed to the dominance of the college phenomenon Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Abdul-Jabbar, a 7-foot-2-inch player, was incredibly agile and bouncy, and simply couldn't be stopped around the basket. UCLA lost only two games in three years while he was enrolled. As a result, the NCAA tried to keep the sport competitive by banning the dunk.
However, many people, including Alcindor himself, believed the ban had racial motives. Alcindor told the Chicago Defender:
> "To me, the new 'no-dunk' rule smacks a little of discrimination. When you look at it ... most of the people who dunk are Black athletes."
This belief was further fuelled by the fact that the ban was imposed less than a year after Texas Western's men's team, with an all-Black starting lineup, beat an all-white University of Kentucky team to win the 1966 NCAA championship.
During the ban, players had to develop different skill sets around the basket. They had to focus on fundamentals like power layups and concentrate on taking the ball to the hoop and going through the defence. Abdul-Jabbar, for example, developed his signature "skyhook" shot in college, which became almost unguardable when he joined the NBA.
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The ban was due to the dominance of Lew Alcindor, later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The dunk was banned in high school and college basketball from 1967 to 1976. This ban is often attributed to the dominance of Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who stood at 7 feet 2 inches tall. Alcindor began making headlines in the 1960s with his impressive skills, causing basketball officials to worry. As a result, the "no-dunk rule" was implemented, prohibiting players from slamming the ball through the rim.
Alcindor's prowess on the court, particularly his ability to dominate around the basket, is believed to have influenced the decision to outlaw dunking. The rule was put in place to try to maintain competitiveness in the sport, as Alcindor's height and talent made him seemingly unstoppable. The ban, also known as the "Lew Alcindor Rule," lasted a decade and prevented players from showcasing their dunking abilities in high school and college games.
The "no-dunk rule" was not without controversy, with some, including Alcindor himself, believing it had racial motives. At the time, most of the dunkers in college basketball were African American, and the ban was implemented not long after an all-Black Texas Western team defeated an all-white University of Kentucky team. Alcindor expressed his thoughts on the matter to the Chicago Defender, stating that the rule "smacks a little of discrimination."
While the ban may have been intended to address competitiveness, it also took away a skill that many players, including Abdul-Jabbar, had mastered. Abdul-Jabbar's height and finesse made him a dominant force on the court, and he went on to become the NBA's all-time scoring leader. The "no-dunk rule" may have been an attempt to level the playing field, but it also took away a powerful tool from players who had perfected the art of dunking.
In 1976, the dunk was brought back to high school and collegiate basketball, and the first-ever dunk contest was held in the NBA. The ban, which lasted a decade, is a reminder of how rules can shape the sport and the impact that exceptional players like Lew Alcindor, or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, can have on the game.
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The ban was also attributed to racial motivations
From 1967 to 1976, dunking was banned in high school and college basketball games. This ban, which never reached the NBA, was attributed to the dominance of Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who stood at 7 feet 2 inches tall. However, many, including Alcindor himself, believed that the ban was racially motivated.
At the time, most of the prominent dunkers in college basketball were African American, and the ban was implemented less than a year after an all-black Texas Western team beat an all-white University of Kentucky team to win the 1966 NCAA University Division basketball championship. Alcindor expressed his views on the ban to the Chicago Defender, stating, "To me, the new 'no-dunk' rule smacks a little of discrimination. When you look at it ... most of the people who dunk are Black athletes."
The racial motivations behind the ban were further supported by the historical context of the time. The Texas Western basketball team, with their all-black starting lineup, had faced issues due to their race in the 1965-1966 season. This racial tension, coupled with the dominance of African American players in dunking, likely contributed to the perception of racial discrimination associated with the ban.
While some may argue that the ban aimed to address safety concerns and promote skill development over height advantage, the timing and context suggest that racial factors played a significant role in the decision to outlaw dunking in high school and college basketball.
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The first-ever dunk in organised basketball was in 1936
The dunk shot has become synonymous with basketball, with players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Vince Carter making it a staple of their highlight reels. However, there was a time when the dunk was not a part of the game, and it was even outlawed for a period.
The first-ever dunk in organised basketball is believed to have occurred in 1936, performed by Joe Fortenberry, a 6-foot-8-inch Texan, during the Berlin Olympics. Fortenberry, who played for the US basketball team, showcased this unique move en route to winning the sport's first-ever gold medal. Prior to Fortenberry's dunk, players primarily relied on one-legged push shots and layups. Arthur Daley of The New York Times colourfully described Fortenberry's move as akin to "a roll dipped into coffee."
The introduction of the dunk caused a stir in the basketball world, particularly among international teams who felt taunted by the Americans' height and leaping abilities. This eventually led to the NCAA joining a petition to ban dunk shots from their tournaments. From 1967 to 1976, dunking was outlawed in high school and college games, with players having to lay the ball up or drop it through the hoop instead. The ban, often referred to as the "'Lew Alcindor' Rule" or the "no-dunk rule," was implemented due to concerns about injuries and the perception that dunking did not showcase basketball skill but only a height advantage. However, some, including Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), believed the ban had racial motives as most of the players who dunked were Black athletes.
In 1976, the dunk was reintroduced to high school and collegiate games, and the first-ever dunk contest was held by the ABA during its All-Star game. Julius Erving claimed the inaugural title, soaring 15 feet in the air and slamming the ball home. The dunk contest, along with players like Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, and others, helped propel the dunk to new heights of popularity and make it a beloved part of the game.
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The no-dunk rule is also known as the Lew Alcindor Rule
The "no-dunk rule" is a term used to refer to the ban on dunking in basketball games. The ban was enforced by the NCAA in 1967 and lasted until 1976. During this time, players were prohibitted from making shots above and directly over the cylinder. This rule was widely believed to have been enacted due to the dominance of UCLA's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, who effortlessly dunked over his opponents. As a result, the ban became known as the "Lew Alcindor Rule".
Lew Alcindor, standing at 7'1 5/8", was an incredibly talented basketball player who dominated the court with his dunking abilities. His coach, John Wooden, assured him that the dunk ban would only serve to make him a better player, and indeed it did. Alcindor developed his famous "sky hook" shot, which he utilized to great success in the NBA. Despite the ban, Alcindor still led his team to national championships in 1968 and 1969.
The "no-dunk rule" was not without its critics. Some, including Alcindor himself, believed that the ban had racial motives. Alcindor stated, "To me, the new 'no-dunk' rule smacks a little of discrimination. When you look at it ... most of the people who dunk are Black athletes." The rule was also seen as depriving fans and players of one of the most exciting and dominant plays in basketball.
The ban on dunking in high school and college basketball lasted a decade, from 1967 to 1976. During this time, players had to rely on layups or simply dropping the ball through the hoop as they soared through the air. The return of the dunk in 1976 was accompanied by the introduction of the breakaway rim, which made dunking safer and reduced the risk of shattering backboards.
The "Lew Alcindor Rule" is a reminder of a time when the dunk was considered taboo by basketball purists. However, today the dunk is a beloved and celebrated part of the game, with slam dunk contests becoming institutions in modern basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Dunking became legal in high school basketball in 1976.
Dunking was banned in high school basketball due to concerns about player safety and the belief that it did not "'display basketball skill – only height advantage'". However, many people, including basketball historians, believe that the ban had racial motivations as most of the prominent dunkers in college basketball at the time were African American.
The ban on dunking was commonly attributed to the dominance of college basketball player Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. As a result, the no-dunking rule is sometimes referred to as the "Lew Alcindor rule".
