Keshad Johnson Soars to Slam Dunk Title at 2026 All-Star Saturday
Undrafted and under the radar, Keshad Johnson (keshad johnson) turned All-Star Saturday night ET into a personal showcase, winning the 2026 Slam Dunk contest at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The Oakland native used a blend of athleticism, showmanship and two highlight dunks to outscore San Antonio rookie Carter Bryant and claim the crown.
How Johnson sealed the victory
Johnson leaned into performance as much as pure elevation. He opened the final round with a between-the-legs finish off a lob, then closed the competition with a one-handed slam from inside the free-throw line — two attempts that pushed the judges to hand him the win. He also injected personality into each moment, dancing before and after attempts and bringing a palpable energy to the floor.
His finals opponent, Carter Bryant, delivered a powerful early showing that included the contest’s first perfect scores, but struggled in the late stages. Bryant repeatedly attempted a between-the-legs dunk off an off-the-backboard setup and could not convert in the allotted time, ultimately putting up a rushed final attempt that fell short of the mark. Bryant’s second-round efforts left him with a 43-point final score, while Johnson’s consistency earned him the higher tally and the title.
Contest drama and memorable moments
The dunk competition mixed theatrics and missteps. Johnson made an early impression by leaping over rapper E-40 for a dunk and posing for cameras, a moment that reinforced the contest’s carnival atmosphere. Another notable entry came from Orlando rookie Jase Richardson, son of two-time dunk champion Jason Richardson, who pulled off a two-handed reverse windmill off a bounced lob but suffered a hard fall on a later attempt before finishing with a two-handed 360.
Johnson’s final run balanced risk and crowd appeal: a creative opener and a high-percentage, awe-inspiring closer. The combination proved decisive in a contest that often rewards showmanship almost as much as technical difficulty.
What the win could mean for Johnson’s trajectory
For a player with limited NBA minutes, the victory is a rare spotlight moment that can reshape perceptions. Johnson’s path — from undrafted free agent to a two-way contract and now a standard roster spot — has been incremental. The dunk title gives him a signature highlight and national exposure that could open opportunities on and off the court.
Johnson framed the win in hometown terms, noting the comfort of performing on the West Coast in front of fans who gave him energy. "This is home to me, " he said after walking off the court. "Once you’re in a dream, you control your dream, you can do anything in your dream. I felt like the fans were with me. I just did what I did, put my best foot forward, did what I could do. "
While the dunk contest has produced both launching pads and one-off viral moments, Johnson’s performance arrives at a point where momentum matters. If he can translate the confidence from All-Star Saturday into consistent play during the regular season, the win could become a turning point rather than a fleeting highlight.
Other Saturday night outcomes included a three-point contest victory by Damian Lillard and a Shooting Stars win by a team led by Jalen Brunson, underscoring a night of mix-and-match triumphs across All-Star weekend events. For Johnson, though, the evening will be remembered for a pair of dunks that captured the crowd and the crown.
