Highest Vertical Leaper in Razorback History

[Porkem]

We've had some really good ones through the years...Michael Qualls, Brandon Dean, Lenzie Howell, the Triplets. I know some of the old-timers, like Wilson and Joe and OTR, can remember back to the days of the Triplets.

Moncrief, Delph, and Brewer were the earliest ones I can remember. They could really get up there. Marvin, I believe, had a slightly higher vertical, at 44 inches, than Super Sid. The Boot could jump too, though not quite as high as Marvin or Sidney.

Little U.S. Reed, who was a couple of years behind them, could change a lightbulb or two before he ever came back down. And who can forget "Downtown" Tony Brown and Darrell "Sky" Walker from the Sutton years? Those two could sky with the best of em, although I consider Darrell more of a glider with good hang-time.

Lenzie Howell and Sunday Adebayo are another pair who come to mind. Those two could rattle a rim or two, as could Derek Hood and Ron Huery, although I believe Derek and Sir-Jam-alot were more renowned for their gliding, than their verticals.

And who can forget Brandon Dean? I think he won the collegiate slam dunk contest, as did Sonny Weems, another great leaper, if I'm not mistaken. Antwon Hall is another name who comes to mind.

Yes, there were some great ones. But who was the greatest?

Thoughts?

[BRUTUS POUNDCAKE]

Left out the Tomahawk(er)

[Dirty]

William Mills!

[porkulus]

Gotta go with Derek Hood.  That guy could jump out of the gym.

[BPsTheMan]

uh, Mike Conley

/thread

[pigture perfect]

Ali Thompson was also a good one, but the one that does belong on the list of great leapers was the late William Mills.

[HawgnCorona]

That is pretty  good list...however knowing U.S. Reed personally, I never thought of him as a sky walker but he most definitely was a player...good thread Porkem.

[Hoggycronopolis]

Left out the Tomahawk(er)

as in.... Darryl (TOMA) Hawkins?

[10yrsofhell]

Hard to say. I chose Tony Brown out of that list.
Was there a player named Mills that should be on the list? I can only think of Wilber and I know he couldn't jump.
I was at floor level in Starkville once when Olu Famutimi had a breakaway. MSU guy was glued to the floor with his mouth agape as Olu soared over him. Never witnessed someone get that high in person.

[North hog]

Brandon Dean.

[Porkem]

William Mills was more of a glider, or a long jumper, if I remember correctly. I had a speech class with Mills, when I was in college. He proclaimed he was "the most exciting man on campus." He was a colorful and charismatic dude, without a doubt. He didn't like to go to class though. Remember telling some students about William one time at a party. Said he was a colorful guy, when he went to class. Some girl out of nowhere, piped up and said, "That's not true! I woke him up every day, for a whole semester."

[Been10Hog]

Marvin Delphi was 6'4" and jumped center on that team with 6'11" Steve Schall. Imagine what he could have done with a3 point line

[elksnort]

Don't know who had the highest vertical Sonny Weems was one heck of a jumper.
Won a post season dunk contest.

[jaredkr]

Derek hood without question

[Locutus_of_Boar]

Lot of great leapers on that list for sure.

However, the band played "Superman" for only one...

[Porkem]

That is pretty  good list...however knowing U.S. Reed personally, I never thought of him as a sky walker but he most definitely was a player...good thread Porkem.

Corona, what made Ulysses so spectacular was the fact he was only 6-2. He played the post, as you know, in high school at Pine Bluff. Coach Sutton had reservations about him too, not knowing for sure if he could make the transition from center to guard. But, as we know, he became a legend. I remember all those times where he would just come out of nowhere and stuff it right down the throat of some poor 6-8 or 6-10 SWC dude. And who can forget that half-court miracle heave against Louisville? I loved U.S. Reed. Was good to see him at the Final Four tribute. He was, and still is, a great ambassador of Razorback basketball.

[Rocket23]

Mike Conley took off from the free throw line before Jordan made it popular. 

[Hogs run wild]

Mike Conley took off from the free throw line before Jordan made it popular. 

In Jr. High, I once saw Mike do a two hand dunk from the free throw line. He's like 6' tall  /thread

[hawg66]

Dean "Tree" Tolson played in the mid-70's, had a 42" vertical at 6'8".  I've seen his shoulder above the rim.  Tony Brown could absolutely sky, hit his head on the painted square in a game against K-State.  Saw Moncrief grab a rebound over Robert Parrish from behind, when Parish had great position.  My top 3.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

Alvin Robertson? But Dean Tolson could sky.

[snoblind]

From those named I guess I would say Brandon Dean since he was only 6', correct.  But saw everyone else in person also so hard to pick against Delph, Tolson, or Tony Brown.

[Porkem]

Alvin Robertson? But Dean Tolson could sky.

Alvin was known more for his great quickness, than leaping ability. Formed one of the best, if not THE best, defensive backcourts in Razorback history, with Darrell Walker. Went to many a game at Barnhill where Alvin would get a steal, and throw a long outlet to a streaking Darrell, or vice versa. Alvin led the NBA in steals and made the NBA All-Star Team with the Spurs, including First Team All Defense. Don't think Alvin could jump as high as Qualls or Delph but he had some springs, for sure.

[Buffweazel]

Craig Tyson! =)

[ErieHog]

Standing flatfooted, I'd go with Dean. 

With a running start,  I'd go with Hood, a guy who gets perpetually underrated in these sorts of things.

He had an in game transition dunk, I think against Alabama--  I was sitting about 15 rows up, directly behind the goal that night-- and was looking him in the face when he caught the ball-- his forehead was obscured by the top white line of the box.   Reminded me a ton of that famous Tom Chambers dunk where he climbed up a defender for a two hander-- except there was no defender to climb.

[Hogimus Prime]

Antwon Hall had some sick dunks. So did Guy Whitney

I remember in the '96 SEC Tournament Hall driving base line and throwing one down in Walter McCarty's face.

[husker71]

Just a note here   The NBA dunk contest in both boring and confusing.  Someone suggested 3 NBA dunkers against 3 D league dunkers vs 3 outside the league dunkers (playground dunkers)   I really like this idea

[dhornjr1]

Eugene Nash deserves a mention.

[incHOGnito]

I thought Adebayo had like a 48 inch vertical.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

Alvin was known more for his great quickness, than leaping ability. Formed one of the best, if not THE best, defensive backcourts in Razorback history, with Darrell Walker. Went to many a game at Barnhill where Alvin would get a steal, and throw a long outlet to a streaking Darrell, or vice versa. Alvin led the NBA in steals and made the NBA All-Star Team with the Spurs, including First Team All Defense. Don't think Alvin could jump as high as Qualls or Delph but he had some springs, for sure.

I remember at a football pep rally in the early 80's & the basketball team came on stage at the Greek theatre. Scott Hastings introduced the newcomers and said that Robertson had a 44-inch vertical leap. Ha! I thought, he can jump, but 44 inches?.....no way. But Hastings was a cut-up.

[HoustonwehaveaProblem]

You left out the great Jason Jennings

[MikePiazza]

Antwon Hall had some sick dunks. So did Guy Whitney

I remember in the '96 SEC Tournament Hall driving base line and throwing one down in Walter McCarty's face.

What happened to Hall? Didn't he peace out after that year?

[Overtheroadtruckdriver]

Good thread, porkem.

I was in jr. High when the triplets played.  Legend had it that Sutton would put twenty dollar bills on the top of the backboard and sid, delph and brewer could go up and get them.  Of course that was back before sportscenter and I didn't know much about david Thompson or even Dr. J for that matter.  Those three were like gods and everyone wanted to dunk like sid, touching the back of your neck before slamming it.  You don't see that dunk much anymore.  Darryl Dawkins did it a lot.  Not many others did And I can't tell you the last time I saw it in an NBA or college game.  I don't know who had the highest vertical.  I do know that Sidney attacked the basket more aggressively than anyone we had for many many years.  The game wasn't played above the rim in the 70's like it is today. Qualls seems to be crazy athletic and the dunks he does in games definitely makes your jaw drop at times.  I could jump a little a long time ago and I can't imagine touching the top of the backboard.  That just doesn't seem possible unless you're a young Kareem or young wilt.  If those three could truly get that high at 6'4" then they all have to be in the conversation. 

My vote?

Sid, delph, Qualls.  I remember mills and several others being great leapers as well.

[HawgnCorona]

Corona, what made Ulysses so spectacular was the fact he was only 6-2. He played the post, as you know, in high school at Pine Bluff. Coach Sutton had reservations about him too, not knowing for sure if he could make the transition from center to guard. But, as we know, he became a legend. I remember all those times where he would just come out of nowhere and stuff it right down the throat of some poor 6-8 or 6-10 SWC dude. And who can forget that half-court miracle heave against Louisville? I loved U.S. Reed. Was good to see him at the Final Four tribute. He was, and still is, a great ambassador of Razorback basketball.

Agreed. But as I recall him height wise we were about the same and I stand at 6ft3. However, his afro at the time was the difference...which made him look taller.

We had the same high school coach in Jerry Rook(a legend himself in Arkansas high school BB and ABA draft pick) my sophomore and yr and his jr, senior yr.

We would always play pick up games at his BB court at his moms house at that time near the UAPB campus. Fun times. I just never really looked at him as leaper--not that he wasn't.

[HawgnCorona]

Alvin Robertson? But Dean Tolson could sky.

Yes he could Reb...I was just about post his name.

[BallHog1]

Good thread, porkem.

I was in jr. High when the triplets played.  Legend had it that Sutton would put twenty dollar bills on the top of the backboard and sid, delph and brewer could go up and get them.  Of course that was back before sportscenter and I didn't know much about david Thompson or even Dr. J for that matter.  Those three were like gods and everyone wanted to dunk like sid, touching the back of your neck before slamming it.  You don't see that dunk much anymore.  Darryl Dawkins did it a lot.  Not many others did And I can't tell you the last time I saw it in an NBA or college game.  I don't know who had the highest vertical.  I do know that Sidney attacked the basket more aggressively than anyone we had for many many years.  The game wasn't played above the rim in the 70's like it is today. Qualls seems to be crazy athletic and the dunks he does in games definitely makes your jaw drop at times.  I could jump a little a long time ago and I can't imagine touching the top of the backboard.  That just doesn't seem possible unless you're a young Kareem or young wilt.  If those three could truly get that high at 6'4" then they all have to be in the conversation. 

My vote?

Sid, delph, Qualls.  I remember mills and several others being great leapers as well.

Good lord, could you summarize, I don't have a week to read this.

[Hogvillage Idiot]

Mike Conley took off from the free throw line before Jordan made it popular.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqymSa79vqg

[tophawg19]

i think it would be Brandon Dean . If i'm not mistaken he won at least 1 NBA dunking contest . he could sky and was so quick at it that it was awe inspiring

[Overtheroadtruckdriver]

Good lord, could you summarize, I don't have a week to read this.

No wonder mike Irwin had/has it in for you.

[ErieHog]

i think it would be Brandon Dean . If i'm not mistaken he won at least 1 NBA dunking contest . he could sky and was so quick at it that it was awe inspiring

Dean never won the NBA Dunk contest

1984 (Denver) – Larry Nance, Phoenix Suns
1985 (Indianapolis) – Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks
1986 (Dallas) – Spud Webb, Atlanta Hawks
1987 (Seattle) – Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
1988 (Chicago) – Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
1989 (Houston) – Kenny Walker, New York Knicks
1990 (Miami) – Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks
1991 (Charlotte) – Dee Brown, Boston Celtics
1992 (Orlando) – Cedric Ceballos, Phoenix Suns
1993 (Salt Lake City) – Harold Miner, Miami Heat
1994 (Minneapolis) – Isaiah Rider, Minnesota Timberwolves
1995 (Phoenix) – Harold Miner, Miami Heat
1996 (San Antonio) – Brent Barry, Los Angeles Clippers
1997 (Cleveland) – Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
1998 (New York City) – No Slam Dunk Competition
1999 (Philadelphia) – Lockout – Shortened Season, No NBA All Star Game
2000 (Oakland) – Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors
2001 (Washington, D.C.) – Desmond Mason, Seattle SuperSonics
2002 (Philadelphia) – Jason Richardson, Golden State Warriors
2003 (Atlanta) – Jason Richardson, Golden State Warriors
2004 (Los Angeles) – Fred Jones, Indiana Pacers
2005 (Denver) – Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
2006 (Houston) – Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
2007 (Las Vegas) – Gerald Green, Boston Celtics
2008 (New Orleans) – Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
2009 (Phoenix) – Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
2010 (Dallas) – Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
2011 (Los Angeles) – Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
2012 (Orlando) – Jeremy Evans, Utah Jazz
2013 (Houston) – Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors
2014 (New Orleans) – John Wall, Washington Wizards

[10yrsofhell]

I remember U.S. Reed once flushed a rebound from a missed free throw. Dude could jump. Also did 360 dunks in games. Don't see that much any more.

[FATHAWG08]

Alandas Harris one handed dunk last night  got me off the couch!

[TRUHOG718]

I would say Brandon Dean. He was not tall but could jump out the gym.

[pigroots]

Highest vertical I would lean to Brandon Dean slightly over Marvin Delph. Which player could get the highest? I once heard a TV announcer say they could put a quarter on the top of the backboard and Dean Tolson could jump and get it.....

[Mike Irwin]

Brandon Dean has my vote followed by Tony Brown.

[Danny J]

Brandon Dean had a 44" measured vertical. So if measured vertical is the criteria he would be my pick.

[Danny J]

i think it would be Brandon Dean . If i'm not mistaken he won at least 1 NBA dunking contest . he could sky and was so quick at it that it was awe inspiring

He won the college senior dunk contest after the season. He won it going away. Used a superman shirt. It used to be on youtube.

[Hogvillage Idiot]

i think it would be Brandon Dean . If i'm not mistaken he won at least 1 NBA dunking contest . he could sky and was so quick at it that it was awe inspiring

Dean won the 2002 NCAA Slam Dunk Contest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6ljzm_U5bU

[PonderinHog]

Does anybody remember Keenan Dubose?

[HogSophist]

Matt jones hit around 40 inches at the combine vertical.  Had some fantastic dunks when he played.

Brandon dean off that list perhaps.

No idea what Ali thompsons was but that guy could jump.

[Danny J]

Matt jones hit around 40 inches at the combine vertical.  Had some fantastic dunks when he played.

Brandon dean off that list perhaps.

No idea what Ali thompsons was but that guy could jump.

No doubt.

Adebayo could jump really high as well. The two best in game dunks I ever saw was Adebayo with one and THompson with the other. One was off the side of the backboard. I can't remember exactly.