The vertical leap that redefined the modern game of basketball

History · Published 5 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before the era of high-flying dunks, one man's gravity-defying ability changed the sport forever. Known as "Skywalker," David Thompson didn't just play basketball; he pioneered the alley-oop and inspired legends like Michael Jordan to rethink the limits of human athleticism.

In the 1970s, professional basketball was still transitioning from a ground-bound game to the aerial spectacle we recognize today. During this era, the 'Lew Alcindor' rule actually outlawed the slam dunk from 1967 to 1977. David Thompson, however, became the premier dunker of his generation through pure leaping ability, earning him the nickname "Skywalker." His impact was so profound that Michael Jordan later remarked that the very meaning of the vertical leap began with Thompson. Thompson’s collegiate career at North Carolina State was marked by unprecedented dominance and controversy.

In 1973, he led the Wolfpack to an undefeated 27–0 season, though the team was barred from post-season play due to recruiting violations. He redeemed that loss in 1974, leading the team to a 30–1 record and an NCAA championship victory over Marquette. During this period, Thompson and teammate Monte Towe helped develop the alley-oop, an offensive staple that coach Norm Sloan utilized to exploit Thompson's extraordinary reach.

His professional trajectory was equally meteoric. A dual No. 1 draft pick in 1975 for both the ABA and NBA, Thompson chose the Denver Nuggets. A member of an exclusive group of eleven individuals to surpass 70 points in one NBA match, he also earned MVP honours at both the NBA and ABA All-Star contests, notably netting 70-plus against Detroit in 1978. Tragically, his career was cut short by substance abuse and injuries. Following a foot injury in the 1979–80 season, Thompson struggled with isolation and drug addiction, eventually leading to a career-ending knee injury in 1984. Despite these struggles, his legacy remains enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 1996.

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