Keshad Johnson
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Keshad Johnson became the third Miami Heat player to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson has won the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, edging out San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant in the final.
Johnson, the second-year player from the University of Arizona, entered the event at +310 odds, giving him the second-lowest chance in the competition.
“I just came out here and showed people who showtime was,” Johnson said after receiving the trophy. “Had all the legends out. I’m from California, brought my own Bay Area swag out to LA. We’re all one, it’s for the whole west coast right here, baby.”
The Heat now have four NBA Slam Dunk Contest champions, the second-most for any NBA franchise, just behind the New York Knicks.
Current Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. was the last Heat player to win the competition in 2020. Former Heat guard Harold Miner also won the competition in 1993 and 1995.
Johnson’s victory also marks back-to-back years in which a Heat player has won an event during All-Star weekend. Last season, Heat guard Tyler Herro won the 3-point competition.
The event took place in the Inuit Dome in Los Angeles. The judges for the event were four former dunk contest champions: Dwight Howard, Corey Maggette, Dominique Wilkins, Brent Barry and Julius Erving.
What Dunks did Keshad Johnson Perform in the Event?
For Keshad Johnson’s first dunk, he jumped over Oakland, California, artist E-40, with whom he also walked out to the event. The dunk earned him a score of 47.4, the highest of any dunker on their first attempt.
Johnson’s second attempt wasn’t as flashy, making a reverese two handed slam. While the score of 45.4 was enough to advance to the competition finals, he lost his first-place spot to Carter Bryant.
Johnson had the second-highest score of the first round, meaning he had to start the finals. He came out with a bang, making an in-between-the-legs, one-handed reverse dunk. The slam earned him a near-perfect score of 49.6.
Johnson’s final dunk of the event was an attempted one-handed windmill from the free throw line. However, he stepped in a little too far into the paint, losing points. The judges gave him a 47.8, meaning Bryant would need to stumble for Johnson to win the competition.
Bryant was unable to convert on an attempted off-the-backboard, in-between-the-legs dunk, having to settle for a last-second 360° two-handed dunk that scored just 43.
How has Keshad Johnson Played for the Miami Heat This Season?
For many NBA fans, the name Keshad Johnson might not be too familiar.
The second-year forward hasn’t played in many games for the Miami Heat this season. After going undrafted in 2024, the Heat signed him to a two-way contract.
After playing well for the G League affiliate Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Heat signed Johnson to a standard contract in 2025.
Johnson has played in 21 games this season, averaging 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per game on 40.4% shooting. He’s known for his athletic ability and for finishing with high-flying dunks.