The spirit of DunkBall
Discover the story behind DunkBall, a revolutionary new way to experience basketball. Born from a desire to make the game more accessible, faster, and more exciting for everyone, DunkBall redefines outdoor play. We hope you have fun and find your love for outdoor basketball again!
The spark of innovation: a new kind of game
In the summer of 2024, longtime friends and weekend basketball regulars, Chris Langford (a high-school coach) and Marc Devers (a community recreation director), found themselves at a local park in Northern California. The courts were packed, and there wasn’t enough space or players for full 5-on-5 games. Facing this common challenge, Chris spotted an unused half-court and declared, "We don’t need a full game. Let’s make something built for speed." This simple idea sparked the beginning of DunkBall, born from the desire for a better, more accessible basketball experience.
Evolving the game: core concepts
The two dads began experimenting, moving beyond traditional half-court rules. They created a continuous-play format focused on transition, fast breaks, and dunk attempts, using improvised cones and chalk lines. This quickly evolved into a game built on core ideas: a short court, small teams (2v2 or 3v3), continuous play after every made basket, fastbreak scoring incentives, and a "Dunk Zone" where dunks counted for three points. As they refined the rules, they noticed something remarkable: everyone – kids, parents, beginners, and seasoned players – was having fun, captivated by the fast pace and highlight plays.
Building for everyone: the dunkball association
The game gained significant momentum when Marc invited local trainer and former collegiate player Jordan Pierce to try it out. Jordan immediately saw its potential, declaring, "This isn’t pickup anymore. This is its own sport." The trio then focused on creating a basketball-based game that ANYONE could play. They formalized key elements like The DunkBall Court Layout, Fastbreak Initiation Rules, the 12-Second Attack Clock, Dunk Zone Safety Guidelines, and Replay/Reset Procedures. After extensive testing with families, local leagues, and the YMCA, word spread quickly. By early fall, Chris, Marc, and Jordan publicly launched the sport, forming the DunkBall Association (DBA) and building PlayDunkBall.com to host official rules, equipment guidelines, court diagrams, and highlight videos. Their mission: to create a game built on community, creativity, energy, and inclusive fun – where anyone can feel the excitement of a fastbreak and the thrill of a dunk.
"This isn’t pickup anymore, this is its own sport."
Jordan Pierce, former collegiate player