NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2026: Participants & Shooting Stars Teams Revealed
- The NBA has announced the participants for the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk contest and the teams for the Kia Shooting Stars challenge, both set to take place on...
- Four newcomers will compete for the title in the Slam Dunk contest: Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs, Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers, Keshad Johnson...
- Richardson, a rookie guard, brings a unique lineage to the contest, as his father, Jason Richardson, won the competition in 2002 and 2003.
New Faces to Compete in 2026 NBA Slam Dunk and Shooting Stars Contests
The NBA has announced the participants for the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk contest and the teams for the Kia Shooting Stars challenge, both set to take place on at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The events are part of NBA All-Star Saturday, which tips off at 5 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Slam Dunk Contest: A New Champion Will Be Crowned
Four newcomers will compete for the title in the Slam Dunk contest: Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs, Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers, Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat, and Jase Richardson of the Orlando Magic. This year’s competition will crown a new champion, as reigning champion Mac McClung will not be returning to defend his title.
Richardson, a rookie guard, brings a unique lineage to the contest, as his father, Jason Richardson, won the competition in 2002 and 2003. Hayes, a seventh-year NBA player, is attempting to become the first seven-footer to win the contest.
The AT&T Slam Dunk contest will follow a two-round format. In the first round, all four players will attempt two dunks, with the combined scores determining the top two who advance to the final round. The finalists will then each attempt two additional dunks, with the higher combined score determining the champion.
Kia Shooting Stars: All-Star Connections and Family Ties
The Kia Shooting Stars challenge will feature four teams of three – each consisting of two NBA players and one NBA legend. The teams are built around NBA All-Star connections, school and team affiliations, and family ties.
Team All-Star features Toronto Raptors guard-forward Scottie Barnes and Oklahoma City Thunder forward-center Chet Holmgren, both 2026 NBA All-Stars, alongside three-time NBA All-Star Richard Hamilton.
Team Cameron is comprised of three Duke University alumni: Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks, Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets, and former 14-year NBA veteran Corey Maggette.
Team Harper showcases a unique family connection, pairing five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr. With his sons, San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper and Boston Celtics guard-forward Ron Harper Jr.
Team Knicks will see New York Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, both 2026 NBA All-Stars, compete with Allan Houston, a two-time NBA All-Star with the Knicks who now serves as the team’s Vice President of Player Leadership & Development.
The Kia Shooting Stars challenge will also follow a two-round format. All four teams will compete in the first round, with the top two teams advancing to the final round. Teams will compete one at a time and have 1 minute and 10 seconds to score points while rotating through seven designated shooting locations around the court, with all three players on a team shooting at each spot in a set order. The team with the higher score in the final round will be crowned the champion.