Keshad Johnson Joins NBA Dunk Contest Representing the Heat
The Miami Heat will have a notable presence at the upcoming NBA All-Star Game festivities, which will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Keshad Johnson, the Heat forward, has been selected to participate in the highly anticipated Slam Dunk Contest.
Keshad Johnson Joins NBA Dunk Contest Representing the Heat
Scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m., the Slam Dunk Contest will be broadcast live on NBC. Johnson is among four newcomers to the competition, joining Carter Bryant from the San Antonio Spurs, Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Jace Richardson from the Orlando Magic.
2023 Dunk Contest Competitors
- Keshad Johnson – Miami Heat, 6-6 forward
- Carter Bryant – San Antonio Spurs, 6-6 forward, 14th overall pick in 2023 draft
- Jaxson Hayes – Los Angeles Lakers, 7-foot center, in his seventh NBA season
- Jace Richardson – Orlando Magic, 6-1 guard, 25th overall pick, son of two-time champion Jason Richardson
Johnson, an undrafted player, has logged 159 minutes in his second season with the Heat. He averages 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds over 21 appearances, contributing 7.6 minutes per game.
Competition Format
The Slam Dunk Contest will utilize a two-round format. All four contestants will perform two dunks in the first round. The top two scores will advance to the finals, where each will attempt two more dunks. The highest combined score will decide the champion.
Other Heat Involvement at All-Star Weekend
In addition to Johnson, two other Miami players will take part in All-Star Weekend. Norman Powell has been named an Eastern Conference reserve for the All-Star Game, while Kel’el Ware is competing in the Rising Stars Challenge.
Heat’s Dunk Contest History
The Miami Heat have a rich history in the Slam Dunk Contest, having won three championships. Harold Miner claimed titles in 1993 and 1995, while Derrick Jones Jr. won in 2020. Notable past participants include Billy Thompson and Jaime Jaquez Jr., who honored his Mexican heritage during his rookie appearance in 2024 by jumping over Shaquille O’Neal.
