The AI tomahawk dunk is the clip where someone who has clearly never dunked in their life drives to the rim in a packed college arena, takes off, hangs in the air in slow motion with the ball cocked behind their head, and slams it through the hoop over a defender — then jogs off past the courtside cameras like it was nothing. It works because of the contrast: a sweater, a hoodie or a golden retriever doing a highlight-reel slam. This guide covers what the clip is, what the shots are, and how to make your own from a single photo.

Every clip in this post was made with the AI Tomahawk Dunk generator on Viberot.

A man in a denim jacket and white T-shirt flies through the air in a packed basketball arena, ball cocked back in one hand, a defender in a navy jersey beneath him
The hang time: your face, your jacket, a defender underneath

What a tomahawk dunk is#

A tomahawk is a one-handed dunk. At the top of the jump the player brings the ball far back behind the head, elbow bent and pointing forward, then whips the arm forward and down through the rim — the motion of swinging a tomahawk axe. The wind-up is the whole point: it makes the player look like they are hanging in the air longer than physics allows, which is exactly what slow motion exaggerates.

Where the AI dunk clip comes from#

The version people copy is not a real game. It is a short AI-generated video — it carries a CapCut AI watermark — of a young woman in a cream hoodie and flared jeans — not a uniform — dribbling down the court in a college arena, flying past a defender in slow motion and dunking, while the crowd, the referee and the photographers react around her. Once it spread, people started putting their friends, their parents and their pets into the same play. The joke is always the same: the least likely person you know, posterizing somebody.

The shots, second by second#

The clip is only five seconds long, and every good version keeps the same beats:

  1. 0–1 s: the drive. A wide, side-on courtside shot. The player dribbles hard toward the basket, a referee running behind.
  2. 1–1.5 s: the take-off. They gather the ball and leave the floor from one foot.
  3. 1.5–3.3 s: the hang time. Slow motion. Legs split mid-air, the ball cocked far behind the head, a defender leaping beside them, the crowd frozen in the stands.
  4. 3.3–3.8 s: the slam. A cut to the rim: the arm comes down like an axe and the ball goes through the net.
  5. 3.8–5 s: the jog-off. They land and jog away past the courtside photographers, and the camera whips around to a close-up of a very calm face.
A red-haired woman in a cream cable-knit sweater soars toward the rim with the basketball raised high over a leaping defender
The sweater stays a sweater: no jersey, your own clothes

Why the AI version works#

Asking a video model for "a person dunking a basketball" gets you a random gym and a random dunk. The versions that look right copy the camera moves and the slow-motion timing from the viral clip and only swap the player. That is how the AI Tomahawk Dunk template works:

  1. The play comes from the clip. The drive, the slow-motion hang time, the slam and the jog-off follow the original's shots and cuts.
  2. A real tomahawk. The ball goes behind the head before it comes down, not a plain two-handed dunk.
  3. Your face, every frame. Including the close-up at the end, which is where the joke lands.
  4. Your clothes. You play in what you are wearing in your photo — the cable-knit sweater stays a cable-knit sweater. No jersey.
  5. Pets welcome. A dog or cat runs and leaps on its hind legs and slams the ball with its front paws.

Step by step: how to make an AI tomahawk dunk video#

  1. Open the template. Go to the AI Tomahawk Dunk page and sign in.
  2. Upload one photo. A clear, front-facing photo of one person or one pet. Full-body is best for the outfit, but head and shoulders is enough.
  3. Pick format and quality. 9:16 for TikTok, Reels and Shorts, or 16:9 for YouTube. Standard 720p is the default; 480p is cheaper for a first try; Fast, Pro and Ultra add detail.
  4. Generate. It usually takes three to four minutes.
  5. Add a sound and post. You get a silent 5-second MP4. Add a hype track or a trending sound from TikTok's or Instagram's music library, and line the drop up with the slam at about 3.3 seconds.

Tip

Cast it like a joke. The dunk videos that travel furthest star the person nobody expects to dunk — your grandma, your manager, the dog.

A golden retriever leaps on its hind legs toward the hoop with a basketball in its paws in a packed arena, wide 16:9 shot
The pet version in 16:9: the dog takes the slam

Picking a photo that works#

Works well Causes trouble
One person or one pet, facing the camera Group photos where the face is small
Down to the waist or full body, so the outfit is clear Extreme close-ups with no clothing visible
Even light, a plain background Heavy filters, very dark photos
A pet standing or sitting up A pet curled up with its face hidden

Note

Photos that appear to show minors or public figures are rejected before any credits are charged. Use photos of yourself or of people who agreed to be in your video.

Ideas for your post#

  • The unlikely athlete. Your parent, your boss or your shortest friend posterizing someone.
  • The pet dunk. The dog that steals your socks, now stealing the highlight reel.
  • The before and after. A clip of you missing a layup at the park, then the AI dunk.
  • The fit check. Dunk in your work suit, your wedding outfit or your pyjamas.

How much it costs#

A Standard 720p AI tomahawk dunk video costs 84 credits; 480p costs 41. Higher tiers cost more, and the exact price is always shown next to the Generate button before you start. Credit packs are one-time payments — no subscription — start at $9.90 for 600 credits and never expire. If a generation fails, the credits go straight back to your balance. See the pricing page for details.

Frequently asked questions#

Can I use a photo of my dog or cat?#

Yes. The pet keeps its fur colour and markings, runs and leaps upright on its hind legs and dunks with its front paws.

Does the video include music?#

No. The clip is delivered silent so you can add a sound from your platform's licensed music library when you post.

How long is the video?#

Five seconds, like the original clip, in 9:16 or 16:9 at the same price.

Will I be wearing a basketball uniform?#

No. You dunk in the clothes from your photo. If the photo only shows your upper body, the AI adds matching trousers and sneakers.

Is this an official product?#

No. Viberot is an independent AI tool and is not affiliated with any basketball league, team, player or the creator of the original clip.

Yes. Try the Crazy Frog AI trend, the Wipe Me Down dance or the Hit the Road Dude meme, all from one photo.