Larry Nance Sr.

First-ever NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion — athletic forward whose career spanned 13 productive seasons.

Larry Donnell Nance Sr. was born in Anderson, South Carolina in 1959. Phoenix Suns selected him twentieth overall in the 1981 NBA Draft. His 13-season career produced 17.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game along with three All-Star appearances. He won the very first NBA Slam Dunk Contest at the 1984 All-Star Weekend — a performance that established the event as a central All-Star attraction. He was named All-NBA Second Team. His combination of athleticism, interior scoring and defence made him one of the more complete power forwards of the 1980s. He was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1988 in the Kevin Johnson deal — a trade that reshaped both franchises. His Cleveland years produced his finest individual statistical seasons. His son Larry Nance Jr. also played in the NBA — both as a Cavalier — creating a father-son connection at the same franchise. His first dunk contest championship is a piece of NBA history that every subsequent competitor, from Dominique Wilkins to Vince Carter to Zach LaVine, has been measured against.

Athletic forward with strong rebounding, shot-blocking, and dunking ability

Pioneer of the modern slam dunk contest and solid two-way player

• NBA Slam Dunk Champion (1984 — first ever)
• All-Star 3x
• All-NBA Second Team