SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Ethan Pimstone recorded a remarkable 52.5-inch vertical jump during testing at Dunk Camp 2026, instantly producing one of the biggest moments of the week and one of the highest measured vertical jumps ever seen in the sport.
The jump came during the opening days of Dunk Camp, which began on June 21 and has brought together many of the world's best dunkers and jump athletes in Salt Lake City. While organizers were still completing the final verification process, one thing was already clear: everyone in the gym was talking about one number.
52.5.
A vertical jump over 50 inches is exceptionally rare. If the measurement stands as officially recorded, Pimstone's performance will rank among the greatest measured vertical jumps in modern dunking history.
A Different Level of Athleticism
What makes the jump even more remarkable is the speed of Pimstone's progression.
Just over a year ago, many in the dunk community were first introduced to him after reports of a 48-inch vertical began circulating. Even then, the number raised eyebrows. Now, if the 52.5-inch measurement is officially confirmed, it represents a leap into a completely different category of explosive performance.
Elite dunkers often spend years trying to gain a single additional inch on their vertical jump. Adding several inches at that level is almost unheard of.
The reaction inside the gym reflected that reality.
Conversations throughout Dunk Camp quickly shifted toward one question:
How high can Ethan Pimstone actually go?
An Unconventional Journey
Unlike many elite dunkers who spent their childhood mastering trick dunks, Pimstone's path looked very different.
He played several sports growing up and enjoyed basketball, but his athletic development came later than many of his peers. After high school, much of his focus shifted toward bodybuilding, adding significant strength and muscle rather than chasing vertical jump records.
Only in recent years did his attention turn toward structured jump training.
Working alongside his brother Jordan, Ethan gradually transitioned from strength-focused training into a program emphasizing explosiveness, sprint mechanics, and tendon health. That foundation appears to be paying off in remarkable fashion.
Rather than arriving as a polished freestyle dunker, Pimstone entered the dunk world with something arguably even more valuable: exceptional raw athletic ability.
Dunk Camp Continues to Raise the Bar
Each summer, Dunk Camp has become one of the premier destinations for athletes looking to test themselves against the best jumpers in the world.
The event combines vertical testing, dunk sessions, coaching, and a unique opportunity for athletes from around the globe to learn from one another. It has become one of the few places where verified vertical jump numbers can be witnessed alongside some of the most creative dunking ever performed.
This year's gathering in Salt Lake City has featured many of the sport's biggest names, but through the opening days, one performance has overshadowed nearly everything else.
A 52.5-inch vertical.
Whether the measurement ultimately becomes an official benchmark or undergoes final confirmation, the performance has already captured the attention of athletes across the dunking community.
What Comes Next?
One reason so many athletes are excited about Pimstone's future is that his vertical jump may be ahead of his dunk repertoire.
Many elite dunkers spend years developing increasingly difficult tricks while gradually improving their athleticism. Pimstone appears to be taking the opposite path. He already possesses extraordinary jumping ability, yet many believe he is only beginning to unlock what he can do creatively in the air.
That combination of elite physical tools and relatively untapped dunk potential makes him one of the most intriguing athletes to watch heading into the rest of Dunk Camp and beyond.
If his 52.5-inch vertical jump is officially confirmed, it won't simply be one of the highlights of Dunk Camp 2026.
It will become one of the defining measurements in modern vertical jump history.
The story at Dunk Camp 2026 may not be over just yet. Former world record holder Darius Clark is scheduled to test his vertical jump on June 25, the final day of camp. With Ethan Pimstone's incredible 52.5-inch jump raising the bar, anticipation is building throughout the dunk community.
Some believe Clark may have something special in store, with whispers of a jump in the 53 or even 54-inch range. If those rumors become reality, the final day of Dunk Camp could produce one of the greatest vertical jump showdowns the sport has ever seen. Stay tuned to The Dunking News for complete coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Ethan Pimstone measured an incredible 52.5-inch vertical jump during testing at Dunk Camp 2026.
- The jump immediately became the biggest story of the event in Salt Lake City.
- A vertical jump over 50 inches is exceptionally rare and places an athlete among the world's elite jumpers.
- Pimstone's rapid improvement has made him one of the fastest-rising athletes in competitive dunking.
- Dunk Camp continues to serve as the premier annual gathering for the world's top dunkers and vertical jump athletes.