2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest Prediction: Jackson Hayes, Carter Bryant

ByNBAUSA



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NBA All-Star weekend is finally here and all festivities from Los Angeles are underway as one of the most anticipated events of the weekend will return with a new batch of players. The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has always been the most anticipated even of the weekend, always living up to high expectations despite the relative disappointments of the past few years. This year, four talented slam dunks will be hoping to bring the spectacle back to prominence.

After three straight years of Mac McClung winning the event, four players enter with three rookies on the field in an unprecedented showing. Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs is the betting favorite while he is a six-year-old Jackson Hayes comes to the “veteran” competition.

The slam dunk contest has been relatively lackluster since its heyday in the early 2000s, but hopes are high for these upstarts as they try to get creative and raise the bar.

2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest Odds

Carter Bryant (SAS): +180

Jackson Hayes (LAL): +250

Keshad Johnson (MIA): +320

Jace Richardson (ENT): +350

Overview

In the first round, all four players will attempt two dunks each and score between 40 and 50. The two players with the higher totals advance to the finals. In the final round, the same rules apply to the two finalists, as the trophy will take home the trophy.

With objective judging from an esteemed panel, the scoring committee members play a huge role in deciding the competition. This year’s judges will be three-time slam dunk champion Nate Robinson, Dominion Wilkins, Brent Barry and Dwight Howard. Fans at home will also be able to vote on each dunk through the NBA app.

Key stories

We really don’t have much data to draw from given the three rookies in the area and their limited time on the NBA floor. The Spurs’ Carter Bryant proved to be the most explosive jumper on the court with excellent hang time as he dunked hard. He also has plenty of time to get creative with windmills and the east bay, so keep watching him as a favorite here.

Jaxon Hayes comes in as a veteran in the field and the second shortest favorite to take home the trophy. Hayes is a great dunker in the game and is a huge threat to throw down while driving the clear lane. However, he is the tallest player and may have the shortest jump in the competition, so he may be limited in how acrobatic he can be in the air.

Miami’s Keshad Johnson is a sneaky name to watch as he has shown great athleticism for the Heat around the rim. He has a long wingspan and usually throws down dunks while still in the air, which is a clear indicator of dunks with rare jumping ability. He should have a big role in this one, but his chances are high given the raw talent he’ll have at his disposal.

Orlando Magic guard and former Michigan State Spartan Jace Richardson comes into this contest as the top-seeded underdog. He’ll be the shortest player on the field at 6-foot-1, but Mac McClung and Nate Robinson have proven that streak is lucky to compete with the smaller underdog. He also has dunking in his blood thanks to his father and NBA great Jason Richardson, who has won the dunk contest twice.

Prediction and winner of the final dunk contest

While Carter Bryant and Jackson Hayes might be the clear choices for most, I believe Keshad Johnson has a rare blend of size and athleticism that should make him competitive in this format. Expect a freak display of athleticism if he is able to consistently dunk.

Final Prediction: Cashad Johnson (+320)





2026-02-14 20:28:00

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