Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has never been shy about showcasing his bounce, but he took things to another level recently by pulling off an in-game Eastbay Funk dunk - yes, the through-the-legs special - and finishing it with authority. That’s the kind of jaw-dropping athleticism you rarely see from a 7-footer, and now, he’s taking that high-wire act to the big stage.
Hayes has officially accepted an invitation to compete in the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend, which will be held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. That means the Lakers big man will get a chance to show off his aerial arsenal in front of a hometown crowd - and if his in-game highlight reel is any indication, fans are in for something electric.
Joining Hayes in the contest is San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant, who’s been turning heads with his own above-the-rim game this season. That leaves two more slots open in the four-man field, and while we don’t yet know who will round out the lineup, the presence of both Hayes and Bryant already gives this year’s contest some serious intrigue.
For Lakers fans, the Dunk Contest has always had a special place in franchise lore. Kobe Bryant was the last Laker to win it, way back in 1997, and since then, a few others have stepped up to represent the purple and gold - Shannon Brown in 2010, Larry Nance Jr. in 2018, and Dwight Howard in 2020. None managed to bring the trophy home, but Hayes has a real shot to change that narrative.
What makes Hayes such a compelling dunk contest entrant isn’t just his vertical - it’s the creativity and confidence he brings to the rim. That Eastbay dunk he pulled off mid-game?
That wasn’t a one-time thing. After the Lakers’ recent win, Hayes talked about how that move has been in his bag for years.
“I mean, I’ve done it a few times in an NBA game before,” Hayes said postgame. “Really, I just started doing it my sophomore year.
You’re a kid, you’re in the garage, in the driveway on like the small hoop and you just try a bunch of dunks. I remember just trying it in like middle school and stuff and then I got to like my sophomore year, junior year of high school when I was actually dunking and I was like, let me try it real quick and got it.
So now I’ve just been doing it.”
That kind of casual confidence - the kind that comes from years of backyard experimentation turning into real-time NBA flair - is exactly what makes Hayes a must-watch. He’s not just jumping high; he’s bringing a sense of showmanship that the Dunk Contest thrives on.
With the All-Star festivities heading to L.A., the stage is set for something special. And if Hayes brings even a fraction of what he’s shown in live action, don’t be surprised if he ends the weekend with some hardware - and maybe even a new signature dunk to add to the highlight reels.