Keshad Johnson Soars to Slam Dunk Glory in All-Arizona Final
In a high-flying showcase that felt more like a homecoming than a competition, Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson etched his name into NBA All-Star Weekend history with a dazzling performance at the Slam Dunk Contest, held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Johnson not only claimed the title but became the first former Arizona Wildcat to win the event - and he did it by besting another Wildcat in the final round: San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant.
Talk about a Tucson takeover.
Johnson’s road to the crown wasn’t just about style points - though he had plenty of those. The undrafted second-year forward brought a mix of creativity, flair, and hometown pride to the rim, delivering a trio of dunks that had the crowd on its feet and the judges reaching for 10s.
His signature moment? A cradle dunk over legendary Bay Area rapper E-40 - yes, that E-40 - followed by a smooth “Dougie” celebration that paid homage to his Oakland roots.
It was part showmanship, part statement: this dunk contest wasn’t just about vertical leap, it was about identity. And Johnson owned every second of it.
But he wasn’t done. Johnson followed that up by tossing the ball to himself, catching it mid-air, and finishing with a reverse between-the-legs slam that looked like it belonged in a video game. Then, for his final act, he launched into a running windmill from just inside the free-throw line - a dunk that blended power and grace with a nod to dunk contest legends of the past.
The contest featured four participants in total - Johnson, Bryant, Orlando Magic’s Jase Richardson, and Los Angeles Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes - but it quickly became clear that this was going to be a Wildcat showdown. Bryant, who’s been turning heads in his rookie season with the Spurs, brought his own flair to the event, but Johnson’s consistency and creativity gave him the edge when it mattered most.
With the win, Johnson joins a select group of former Arizona players who’ve competed in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, including Richard Jefferson, Andre Iguodala, Chase Budinger, and Aaron Gordon - the latter of whom delivered some of the most memorable dunks in contest history. But Johnson’s the first to walk away with the trophy, and he’ll take home $105,000 for his efforts.
It’s a milestone moment in what’s already been a unique journey. Johnson, undrafted out of college, has carved out a role with the Heat thanks to his athleticism and work ethic.
In 21 games this season, he’s averaged 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per game - modest numbers, sure, but they don’t tell the whole story. In his brief stint with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s G League affiliate, Johnson averaged a robust 21.8 points and 8.5 boards across four games, proving he’s more than just a dunk contest specialist.
With this win, Johnson becomes just the second Heat player to claim the dunk contest title, joining Derrick Jones Jr., who famously edged out Aaron Gordon in 2020. That’s elite company, and it’s another feather in the cap for a Miami franchise that’s long prided itself on player development and grit.
The Heat will return to action on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks, but for now, Johnson gets to enjoy his moment in the spotlight. He didn’t just win a dunk contest - he made a statement about perseverance, creativity, and what it means to seize the moment when the lights are brightest.
From undrafted to undeniable, Keshad Johnson just put the league on notice - and he did it with style.