The 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest is right around the corner, and the names featured are interesting, to say the least.
Back-to-back-to-back champion Mac McClung decided not to participate in this year's contest, leaving the door open for someone new to claim the title.
Fans will have to familiarize themselves with Jaxson Hayes, Carter Bryant, Jase Richardson, and Keshad Johnson - the participants this year.
Hayes, the Los Angeles Lakers' backup center, averages the most minutes played out of the group, at 17.4 minutes per game.
Richardson plays 12 minutes a game as a rookie for the Orlando Magic, while Bryant and Johnson each average under 10 for the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, respectively.
Richardson's dad, Jason, won the Slam Dunk contest in back-to-back years in 2002 and 2003, and if Jase wins, they would be the first father-son duo to ever win the contest.
Hayes pulled a between-the-legs dunk in a game against the Chicago Bulls a couple weeks ago, so he'll be ready for the moment.
Richardson, Bryant, and Johnson haven't had much time to showoff their dunks in a game, but highlight videos of dunks in an open gym are impressive for each of them.
Here's a look at the odds to take home the Slam Dunk Champion trophy - happening on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 5 PM ET.
Carter Bryant | +180 |
Jaxson Hayes | +200 |
Keshad Johnson | +325 |
Jase Richardson | +425 |
Read about all the previous winners of the Slam Dunk contest on site.
Read the odds for the 2026 3-point contest on site.
All odds featured in this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.
