New Champion Guaranteed at NBA All Star Weekend
The NBA has officially announced the participants for the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, and one thing is certain. There will be a new champion crowned this year.
The contest will take place on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday. The event will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock.
The four competitors confirmed for the 2026 contest are Carter Bryant, Jaxson Hayes, Keshad Johnson, and Jase Richardson.
Notably absent from the field is three-time defending champion Mac McClung, who has declined to compete this year.
Mac McClung Declines Return After Historic Run
Mac McClung’s decision ensures the end of one of the most dominant runs in dunk contest history. McClung won the Slam Dunk Contest three consecutive times and became synonymous with the modern era of the event.
His performance at NBA All-Star Weekend 2025, highlighted by a jump over a Kia sedan, cemented his legacy as one of the most creative and explosive dunkers the contest has ever seen.
While fans are disappointed he will not defend his title, his decision is understood. There is growing belief that McClung may never return to the contest, making his three-peat potentially the final chapter of his Slam Dunk story.
Confirmed Participants for the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest
The NBA confirmed the following four players will compete, all making their event debuts.
Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
Bryant is a 6 foot 6 forward selected 14th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. His size and athleticism make him one of the most intriguing dunkers in the field.
Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers
Hayes is a 7-foot center in his seventh NBA season and third with the Lakers. His inclusion brings rare true center representation to the contest and adds potential for power-based dunks above the rim.
Keshad Johnson, Miami Heat
Johnson is a 6-foot-6 forward in his second NBA season. He split time last year between Miami and the Sioux Falls Skyforce and is known for his vertical explosiveness.
Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic
Richardson is a 6-foot-1 rookie guard selected 25th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Dunk contest lineage runs deep, as he is the son of two-time Slam Dunk champion Jason Richardson, who won the event in 2002 and 2003.
Event Format and Scoring Rules
The AT&T Slam Dunk Contest will follow a two-round format.
In Round One, all four competitors will attempt two dunks. Judges will score each dunk, and the combined score will determine the top two dunkers who advance.
In the Final Round, the remaining two players will attempt two additional dunks. The competitor with the higher combined score will be crowned the 2026 Slam Dunk Champion.
Event Details at a Glance
What: AT&T Slam Dunk Contest
When: Saturday, February 14, 2026
Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: NBC and Peacock
A New Era Begins
With Mac McClung stepping away, the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest marks a clear transition point. All four competitors are first-time participants, guaranteeing a new champion and a fresh chapter for the event.
Whether this signals a temporary break or the final appearance of McClung in the contest remains unknown. What is certain is that the Slam Dunk Contest will look very different in 2026. No, they won't be throwing down the most difficult dunks of all-time, but we'll be watching nonetheless.
And for the first time in years, the crown is truly up for grabs.