NBA slam dunk contest participants: Carter Bryant, Jase Richardson highlight 2026 edition

The NBA’s annual showcase of athleticism returns to the spotlight as the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest prepares to take over the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

This year’s event features a transition to a new wave of contenders, all looking to claim the title in the league's most high-profile individual competition of All-Star Saturday Night.

With the departure of the previous multi-year champion Mac McClung, the field is wide open for a new winner to emerge and capture the crowd's attention. As the participants prepare to test their creativity and vertical reach on the NBA's newest stage, the focus shifts to which of the league's rising leapers will deliver the night's most memorable highlights.

Here's the four participants for the dunk contest.

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NBA slam dunk contest participants

The NBA has officially unveiled the high-flying quartet set to take center stage at the Intuit Dome for the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest.

Leading the charge is Los Angeles Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes, who will look to use his massive 7-foot frame and hometown advantage to secure the crown. He is joined by two explosive rookies: San Antonio’s Carter Bryant, the 14th overall pick known for his 40-inch vertical, and Orlando’s Jase Richardson, who aims to follow in the legendary footsteps of his father, two-time dunk champion Jason Richardson.

Rounding out the field is Miami Heat standout Keshad Johnson, a powerful second-year forward making his debut in the event. With three-time defending champion Mac McClung opting not to compete this year and All-Star Jalen Duren recently being replaced in the final lineup, the 2026 competition is wide open, guaranteeing the crowning of a first-time champion.

The event kicks off Saturday, Feb. 14, as the centerpiece of NBA All-Star Saturday Night in Inglewood.

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NBA All-Star weekend schedule

The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend is scheduled to take place from Feb. 12 through Feb. 15 in Los Angeles and Inglewood. The weekend’s events are split primarily between the Intuit Dome, the Kia Forum, and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The festivities begin on Thursday with the opening of NBA Crossover, an interactive fan festival at the Los Angeles Convention Center that runs throughout the weekend. Friday features a tripleheader of action, starting with the Celebrity Game at the Kia Forum, followed by the Rising Stars tournament at the Intuit Dome and the HBCU Classic back at the Forum.

Saturday serves as the traditional showcase for individual skill, featuring the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk Contest at the Intuit Dome. The weekend culminates on Sunday with the 75th NBA All-Star Game, which introduces a new round-robin tournament format featuring three teams (two U.S. teams and one World team) competing in a series of mini-games to determine a champion.

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