Bay Area Roots, Rim-Rocking Dreams: Jase Richardson and Keshad Johnson Set for Slam Dunk Contest Spotlight
Two Bay Area natives are about to take center stage in one of the NBA’s most electrifying events. Jase Richardson and Keshad Johnson are officially headed to Inglewood next weekend to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Saturday night - and while their names might not yet be household staples across the league, their stories are rich with promise, athleticism, and a deep connection to hoops culture.
A Legacy in Flight: Jase Richardson Steps Into the Spotlight
For Jase Richardson, the dunk contest is more than just a showcase - it’s a family tradition. The Orlando Magic rookie is the son of two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion Jason Richardson, whose high-flying acrobatics in the early 2000s helped define the event for a new generation. The elder Richardson also holds a special place in Bay Area basketball lore as a key piece of the beloved “We Believe” Warriors squad that stunned the top-seeded Mavericks in the 2007 playoffs.
Now, it’s Jase’s turn.
Though he left the Bay Area as a child, Jase’s basketball roots run deep. Selected 25th overall in June’s draft, he’s had a modest start to his rookie campaign, averaging 5.1 points across 36 appearances in 50 games. It’s been a season of learning and adjusting - but the dunk contest offers a different kind of stage, one tailor-made for a player with his pedigree and bounce.
His father admitted last summer that watching his son suit up in the NBA still feels “surreal.” If Jase can channel even a fraction of the flair his dad brought to the rim, fans are in for a treat.
Keshad Johnson: From Oakland to the Big Stage
Joining Richardson in the field is Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson, another Bay Area product with serious hops and a hunger to make his mark. Johnson’s basketball journey has been a grind - one that started at San Leandro High, where he earned All-Bay Area honors as a senior while leading the Pirates to the North Coast Section Division I semifinals.
His final high school season saw him stuff the stat sheet: 14.4 points, 8.0 boards, 3.0 assists, 2.3 blocks, and nearly 2 steals per game. That blend of athleticism and versatility helped him land at San Diego State, where he became a key contributor on the Aztecs’ 2023 run to the NCAA title game. After a graduate year at Arizona, he signed with the Heat as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Now in his second year in Miami, Johnson is still fighting for consistent minutes, averaging 3.1 points in 21 appearances. But make no mistake - he’s been putting in the work.
This past offseason, he focused on refining his jumper, improving his screening game, and sharpening his passing reads. It’s that kind of commitment that keeps players ready for opportunities like this one.
A Chance to Shine
Neither Richardson nor Johnson have lit up the dunk column this season - Richardson has just four, while Johnson has nine - but that’s what makes All-Star weekend so special. It’s a chance for young, under-the-radar athletes to showcase their flair, creativity, and raw athleticism on a national stage, free from the grind of the regular season.
They’ll be joined by Jaxson Hayes and Carter Bryant in the contest, rounding out a group that blends youth, bounce, and untapped star power. For Richardson and Johnson, it’s more than just a dunk contest - it’s a homecoming of sorts, a Bay Area basketball celebration with the whole league watching.
And if history’s any indication, the Bay doesn’t just show up - it shows out.