San Leandro Native Wins NBA Slam Dunk Contest
Keshad Johnson, a San Leandro native who plays for the Miami Heat, won the NBA Slam Dunk contest on Saturday. The event was part of the NBA's All-Star Weekend, which took place in Inglewood, California.
- Johnson secured the title by defeating San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant in the final round; the other competitors were Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jase Richardson of the Orlando Magic. - His performance included a dunk over Bay Area rapper E-40 in the first round and a near-perfect score of 49.6 in the final for a between-the-legs, under-the-basket slam. - The panel of judges featured four former Slam Dunk Contest champions: Dominique Wilkins, Dwight Howard, three-time winner Nate Robinson, and Brent Barry. - This victory marks a significant moment for a player who went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft before signing a two-way contract with the Heat. - In December 2024, the Miami Heat converted his two-way deal into a standard two-year, $2.68 million contract. - Before his professional career, Johnson played four seasons at San Diego State, helping the Aztecs reach the NCAA championship game, before transferring to Arizona for a final collegiate season where he averaged 11.5 points per game. - Johnson is the first Heat player to win the competition since Derrick Jones Jr. in 2020. - The win came in a year where a new champion was guaranteed, as three-time defending winner Mac McClung was not a participant in the 2026 contest.
