FARMINGTON, Utah — Dunkers from eight countries met in Utah from June 16–19 for Dunk Camp 2025, the world’s premier dunk-focused event. Held just north of Salt Lake City, the four-day gathering brought together the top dunkers on the planet—athletes who juggle pro tours, global content calendars, and elite training regimens—to coach, compete, and elevate dunk culture.
Founded by Andy Nicholson, Dunk Camp focuses exclusively on jumping and dunking performance. From warm-up to injury recovery, from mindset to mechanics, every drill and discussion is built around pushing vertical limits.
Global Dunk Contest: Low Rim, Mid Rim, Regulation
On Day Four, campers and pros competed in a unique three-rim global contest—at 8-, 9-, and 10-foot heights. The event was sanctioned by the World Dunk Association (WDA), which applies a standardized scoring system evaluating flight, finish, complexity, and style. The WDA aims to formalize dunking with a public database, athlete rankings, and a global judging language.
Hoopin Nate Lands Signature Dunk
Nathan “Hoopin Nate” Kenney entered the 8-foot low rim division, facing off against elite international dunkers. Known globally as “The King of the Mini-Hoops” and recognized from Gatorade, Google, and Jimmy Kimmel, Nate overcame early misses and soared in the finals. After encouragement from fellow pro dunkers, Nate unleashed the inverted scorpion—a highly technical dunk no one else attempted at any rim height during camp. He landed it clean. He won. And he brought the crowd to its feet.
As chants of “one more dunk!” erupted—led by pro dunker Isaiah Rivera—Nate returned to the floor and offered fans a sneak peek of a new dunk he plans to reveal later this summer. Many now believe he’s the favorite to win next year’s 9-foot division, and some even think a 10-foot title isn’t out of reach. With Hoopin Nate, the sky’s the limit—literally—and his professional career feels just around the corner.
Whittelsey Surprises in 9-Foot Division
In one of the most quietly impressive performances of the week, Lee Whittelsey claimed the 9-foot division title—marking a major leap in progress from his showing at last year’s camp. While not a household name yet, Whittelsey is no stranger to Dunk Camp. His consistency and improved technique carried him through a stacked field, earning respect from both judges and peers. It’s a reminder that steady development often beats flash—and that future stars don’t always arrive loudly.
Ben Hopkins Wins 10-Foot Division Despite Injury
Ben Hopkins, a professional dunker and Jumpmaster Athlete, delivered one of the most heroic performances of the entire camp. Competing in the regulation-height 10-foot division, Hopkins fought through a mid-round injury in the finals to land a dramatic, contest-winning dunk—earning an automatic FIBA dunk contest bid.
Hopkins, clearly in pain, returned to the court with full intensity and connected with one of the most clutch dunks of the event. His toughness, creativity, and execution left no doubt—he earned the win and the respect of every dunker in the building.
Darius Clark Sets Vertical World Record
Veteran high-flyer Darius Clark set a new verified vertical leap record of 51 inches—measured by the Vert Trainer on-site. He was joined by breakout jumper Isaiah Espinosa, who recorded an unofficial hang time of over one second, potentially the first in human history. Rivera remains a contender in the ongoing vertical war, which continues to intensify.
Kilgannon Launches Shoe Line, Mentors Future Stars
Jordan Kilgannon, considered by many to be the greatest dunker of all time, used Dunk Camp to launch the first-ever signature shoe line from a professional dunker. As he transitions from contest dominance to mentorship, Kilgannon remains the standard-bearer for creativity and professionalism in the sport.
The best part of Dunk Camp 2025? The culture!
The Culture Is the Community
The camp’s unique vibe included returning legends like Steven Celi, now serving as an “Energy Coach” helping young athletes overcome mental blocks and self-doubt. It’s this blend of mentorship, competition, and deep community ties that sets Dunk Camp apart.
Whether it’s Kilgannon guiding the next wave, Clark pushing human limits, Espinosa chasing history, or Nate taking flight—Dunk Camp 2025 proved the future of dunking isn’t coming. It’s already in the air.