San Leandro native wins NBA Slam Dunk contest

- Keshad Johnson secured the win by defeating San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant in the final round with a total score of 97.4. For his final dunk, Johnson executed a running windmill jam from just inside the free-throw line, earning a score of 47.8. - Johnson's path to the NBA was not a direct one; after going undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft, he signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat. He later earned a standard contract with the team in December 2024. - Before his professional career, Johnson played college basketball for San Diego State, where he was a key contributor to the team that reached the Final Four, and later transferred to Arizona for his final season. In his single season with the Wildcats, he averaged 11.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. - Though he plays for Miami, Johnson has Bay Area roots, having grown up in Oakland and transferred to San Leandro High School for his senior season. In the first round of the contest, he jumped over Oakland rapper E-40 for a dunk. - Johnson is the third player in Miami Heat history to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. - The 2026 competition was a four-man field for the fifth consecutive year, with the other participants being Jaxson Hayes of the Lakers and Jase Richardson of the Orlando Magic. - The winner of the NBA Slam Dunk contest receives a prize of $105,000. - Three-time slam dunk champion Mac McClung, who had won the previous three contests, did not participate in the 2026 event.