Jaxson Hayes Eager for First Slam Dunk Contest Appearance
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Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes will make his NBA Slam Dunk Contest debut during All-Star Weekend, becoming the seventh player in franchise history to enter the event.
The 25-year-old said the invitation fulfills a childhood goal. “I’ve always dreamed of being in the Dunk Contest,” Hayes told reporters. “When I got that call, I was definitely down.” He added that hosting the contest in Cleveland or Indiana would have been even more meaningful because of family proximity, but he remains enthusiastic about performing in Southern California.
The contest, set for the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, will feature four competitors: Hayes, San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant, Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson, and Orlando Magic rookie Jase Richardson. Kobe Bryant remains the Lakers’ lone Slam Dunk champion, winning in 1997.
Hayes’ athleticism has drawn attention throughout the season. On Jan. 26, 2026, he executed an in-game between-the-legs dunk—often called an Eastbay—against the Chicago Bulls, a play widely shared on social media. Lakers fans are expected to pack the building, which could give the 7-footer a boost as he tries to end the organization’s 29-year title drought in the event.
The center recently completed a one-game suspension stemming from a Jan. 30 altercation with Washington Wizards mascot G Wiz. Hayes apologized afterward and explained that contact occurred as the mascot ran past him.
All-Star Saturday Night is scheduled for Feb. —, with the Slam Dunk Contest serving as the evening’s finale.
Source: LakersNation.com
