Countdown to the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend
As the countdown to the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend begins, the highly anticipated slam dunk contest will showcase a lineup of newcomers rather than familiar faces from basketball royalty. Notably absent this year is Mac McClung, the reigning champion who has taken the crown in the last three contests but has opted out of this edition.
Over the past five years, McClung, standing 6 feet 2 and weighing 185 pounds, has had a mostly unremarkable NBA career, logging just 123 minutes across ten games with five different franchises, most of which were via short-term contracts.
McClung is widely regarded as one of the most innovative dunkers on the planet, despite his limited stature and minimal playing time in the league. In stark contrast, the dunk contest lineup this year lacks active All-Star players, a shift from the glory days when legends like Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins battled it out in similar events, or when Vince Carter dominated the competition in 2000.
Meet the Competitors
The focus this year will shift to the athletes who will participate, and here’s a closer look at the competitors:
- Carter Bryant – San Antonio Spurs
Height: 6 feet 6
Vertical Leap: 39.5 inches
2025-26 Dunks: 7
2025-26 Minutes Played: 362
Carter, a rookie wing drafted as the 14th overall pick in 2025, has managed to average three points per game. He comes from a background steeped in basketball, with family ties to the USA Deaf Basketball Hall of Fame, contributing to his fluency in American Sign Language. - Jaxson Hayes – Los Angeles Lakers
Height: 7 feet
Vertical Leap: 34.5 inches
2025-26 Dunks: 7
2025-26 Minutes Played: 745
Hayes, the Lakers’ backup center and a frequent dunker, might not excite fans due to his height in a 10-foot contest, echoing the last center who managed to win, Dwight Howard, in 2008. He’s stepped into the spotlight following a tumultuous personal history, including legal troubles and recent incidents that resulted in a brief suspension. - Keshad Johnson – Miami Heat
Height: 6 feet 6
Vertical Leap: 42 inches
2025-26 Dunks: 9
2025-26 Minutes Played: 159
Johnson, who converted his two-way contract into a regular deal this season, is navigating his path in the league after an undrafted start. His background is marked by personal tragedy, as he has shared the impacts of violence on his family, fueling his drive to succeed. - Jase Richardson – Orlando Magic
Height: 6 feet 1
Vertical Leap: 38 inches
2025-26 Dunks: 4
2025-26 Minutes Played: 464
Richardson steps onto the court as the son of Jason Richardson, an esteemed dunk contest winner from the early 2000s. Currently playing as a rookie guard, Jase aims to carve out his own legacy, starting with an impressive dunk this weekend.
Looking Ahead
With this year’s contenders largely representing a new wave of talent, fans are left to wonder how these fresh faces will stack up against the rich history of past dunk contests. Will any of them rise to the occasion and capture the magic seen in previous years?
