Michael Wilson, also known by the nickname "Wild Thing," is an American former professional basketball player best known for his tenure with the Harlem Globetrotters and for holding the Guinness World Record for the highest slam dunk.
Wilson played high school basketball at Melrose High School in Memphis, Tennessee. The Texarkana Gazette reported that he had a 52-inch vertical leap. He attended the University of Memphis, where in 1995 he was a starter on the Tigers basketball team that advanced to the Sweet 16 under head coach Larry Finch. He graduated from the University of Memphis in 1996.
Wilson played 11 seasons with the Harlem Globetrotters, from approximately 1996 to 2006, thrilling audiences with his acrobatic slam dunks. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, he is most notable for his dunking ability.
On April 1, 2000, Wilson dunked a basketball on a goal set at 3.65 meters (12 feet) from the floor during Final Four Weekend. This feat placed him in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest slam dunk ever recorded, breaking a previous record held by former Arizona State University basketball player Joey Johnson. The record was later matched in 2001 by Robertas Javtokas of Lithuania during a local All-Stars day. An exhibit at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is dedicated to Wilson's accomplishment.
After his playing career, Wilson served as the Director of Headfirst Basketball. He later became the founder and CEO of World Record Basketball.
