Keshad Johnson Claims 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Crown
Keshad Johnson emerged as the winner of the 2026 AT& T Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Saturday, turning steady execution into a championship performance that edged out Carter Bryant in a dramatic final. The Miami Heat forward’s composed, high-energy dunks won over judges and the crowd, delivering a career-boosting moment for the undrafted athlete.
Final showdown: consistency beats a perfect 50
The competition came down to a two-man final between Johnson and San Antonio’s Carter Bryant. Bryant produced the contest’s only perfect 50 in the second round with a between-the-legs dunk on his first attempt, a spectacular highlight that forced Johnson into a comeback situation. Instead of attempting a single splashy sequence, keshad johnson relied on back-to-back solid, well-executed slams that impressed judges and secured the edge in cumulative scoring.
Johnson’s approach—more methodical than theatrical—proved decisive. While Bryant’s 50 remains the standout single dunk of the night, he could not replicate that peak on subsequent attempts. Johnson, nicknamed “Showtime” for his dunk-filled warmups, leaned into consistency: two reliable finishes in the final round gave him the margin needed to walk away with the trophy and the title.
Key moments and a scare for Jase Richardson
The 2026 field was short on household names but high on creativity. Orlando’s Jase Richardson carried a compelling narrative into the event as the son of a two-time Slam Dunk champion, but he endured a frightening moment in the second round when he fell and struck his head on the court after a miss. Richardson recovered and completed a third attempt, though it wasn’t enough to advance.
Los Angeles backup center Jaxson Hayes was an early casualty, exiting after the first round. The packed arena in Inglewood provided enthusiastic reaction for each attempt, underscoring that even relatively unfamiliar contestants could still deliver a memorable show for fans and judges alike.
What the win means for Johnson and his career
The victory provides an immediate and tangible lift for Johnson, who went undrafted in 2024 and has spent time between the G League and the NBA roster. Recalled recently from the G League, Johnson has appeared in 21 games for the Heat this season, and the dunk contest crown brings him a higher profile and a moment of mainstream recognition that is hard to purchase.
Beyond the trophy, winning the slam dunk contest often attaches a lasting label to a player’s résumé: dunk champion. For Johnson, that moniker arrives at a formative stage of his professional career, offering more than just a highlight reel — it can translate to greater fan interest, marketing opportunities and a stronger on-court identity that coaches and teammates can rally around.
The 2026 AT& T Slam Dunk contest was staged at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2026, and served as the final event of All-Star Saturday. While the evening belonged to a mix of fresh faces, it was keshad johnson’s poise under pressure that ultimately defined the competition and delivered a signature moment in his young career.
