Jaxson Hayes, Carter Bryant accept invitations to NBA Slam Dunk Contest
With the NBA All-Star break quickly approaching, the league has found a pair of its Slam Dunk contest participants.
Los Angeles Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes and San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant have both accepted invitations to the event.
He showed his athletic prowess last Monday with a between-the-legs dunk against the Chicago Bulls. He Hayes is one of the more athletic big men in the league, which could make him a dynamic presence in the slam dunk contest.
Meanwhile, Bryant has demonstrated high-flying ability in his first NBA campaign, averaging 2.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per game despite playing in a limited role with the Spurs.
The defending three-time dunk contest champion, Mac McClung, isn’t participating in the event to defend the title. The 2026 All-Star weekend will be at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, marking the first time the Clippers have hosted since the opening of the arena.
Over the last several years, it’s been difficult for the NBA to lure some of the league’s higher-profile players to compete in the competition. That has played a significant part in the dunk contest losing the excitement it once had when notable players used to partake.
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It’s no shot toward Hayes or Bryant, but they are not household names that the NBA wants to headline the event. Until that change happens, it will continue to see a lack of interest in the event that was once the crowd favorite during every All-Star weekend.
