The NBA's All-Star Weekend is always a showcase of skill, flair, and flat-out fun-and this year’s Slam Dunk Contest is bringing some fresh names and serious bounce to the spotlight.
The league officially announced that San Antonio’s Carter Bryant, the Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes, Miami’s Keshad Johnson, and Orlando rookie Jase Richardson will headline this year’s Slam Dunk Contest, set to take place next Saturday at the Clippers’ brand-new Intuit Dome. All four are first-time participants, but don’t let that fool you-there’s plenty of intrigue and athleticism packed into this lineup.
Let’s start with Richardson. The rookie guard from Orlando may be new to the event, but the dunk contest is practically in his DNA.
He’s the son of Jason Richardson, the high-flying two-time Slam Dunk champ who took home the crown in 2002 and 2003. If Jase brings even a fraction of his dad’s creativity and vertical explosion, fans are in for a treat.
Carter Bryant, the Spurs’ high-upside wing, has been turning heads with his raw athleticism since his high school mixtape days. Now he gets a national stage to show what he can do when the spotlight’s brightest.
Jaxson Hayes, the Lakers’ big man, brings a different flavor-he’s a long, springy center who can cover ground in the air like few others. And then there’s Keshad Johnson, a Heat forward known for his above-the-rim game and defensive tenacity.
He’s got the kind of power and elevation that could electrify the crowd if he strings the right dunks together.
The contest feels wide open this year-no returning champs, no seasoned veterans, just four young players ready to make their mark. And with the event being held in the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome, you can bet the energy will be off the charts.
Also on the Saturday slate is the return of the Shooting Stars competition, a fan-favorite event that mixes NBA stars past and present in a unique test of shooting versatility. This year’s format features four teams, each made up of two current NBA players and one NBA legend. It’s a two-round showdown: all four teams compete in the opening round, and the top two scorers move on to a head-to-head final.
Each squad gets 1 minute and 10 seconds to rotate through seven designated shooting spots around the court. Every player on the team takes a shot at each location, in a set order, with the clock adding pressure and strategy into the mix. The team that posts the higher score in the final round will walk away with the title.
It’s a format that rewards chemistry, rhythm, and a little bit of clutch shot-making. And with legends back on the court alongside today’s stars, it’s one of those events that bridges generations while giving fans a chance to see some familiar faces knock down big shots once again.
Between the high-flying theatrics of the dunk contest and the sharpshooting strategy of the Shooting Stars, Saturday night is shaping up to be another can’t-miss chapter in All-Star Weekend.