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Oakland's Keshad Johnson Shines in Slam Dunk Contest
Undrafted Heat wing brings flair and style to All-Star Weekend event
Feb. 24, 2026 at 9:26pm
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Keshad Johnson, an undrafted player signed by the Miami Heat, recently participated in the Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All-Star Weekend. Despite not being a household name, Johnson impressed with his creative dunks that incorporated Bay Area music and dance moves, making his performance memorable. The opportunity to showcase his talents on the big stage was a blessing for the Oakland native, who is still trying to establish himself in the NBA.
Why it matters
The Slam Dunk Contest has struggled to attract top NBA stars in recent years, leading to concerns about the event's relevance. Johnson's energetic and unique performance helped revive interest in the contest, showcasing his personality and potential to casual fans who may not have been familiar with him previously.
The details
Johnson, who went undrafted in 2024 but signed a two-way contract with the Heat, was one of the headliners for the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest. He emerged victorious in the final round against San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant. Johnson incorporated Bay Area music legend E-40 into his first dunk and broke out into dance after each of his dunks, adding flair and style to his performance.
- Keshad Johnson participated in the Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All-Star Weekend in February 2026.
The players
Keshad Johnson
An undrafted player signed by the Miami Heat who recently won the Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All-Star Weekend.
Carter Bryant
A rookie for the San Antonio Spurs who was the runner-up in the Slam Dunk Contest.
E-40
A Bay Area music legend who appeared in one of Keshad Johnson's dunk contest dunks.
Miami Heat
The NBA team that signed Keshad Johnson to a two-way contract after he went undrafted in 2024.
What they’re saying
“It's a blessing from God just to be here and be able to showcase my God-given talent in my own way of art and everything.”
— Keshad Johnson
“The world is watching. The whole world is watching whether it's just the general NBA public even fans that don't know anything about basketball.”
— Keshad Johnson
What’s next
Keshad Johnson will look to build on his Slam Dunk Contest performance and continue to earn more playing time with the Miami Heat as he works to establish himself in the NBA.
The takeaway
Keshad Johnson's energetic and unique performance in the Slam Dunk Contest showed that there is still interest and excitement around the event, even if some of the league's biggest stars have shied away from participating in recent years. Johnson's ability to connect with the crowd and showcase his personality could help revive interest in the dunk contest going forward.
