It might not have been the most exciting Slam Dunk Contest in many fans’ eyes, but there had to be a winner. This year, it was Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson, who beat out San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant in the final round.
The most viral moments for Johnson came when he walked out with legendary Bay Area rapper E-40, then proceeded to use him as a prop for a dunk later on. Johnson closed things out with a running windmill dunk, but it was his frequent dancing that got fans’ attention. There’s a reason his nickname is “Showtime“, and he showed it throughout the night.
Keshad Johnson hasn’t been able to break into Miami Heat’s rotation just yet
Johnson is in his second year in the NBA, having gone undrafted in 2024 after a lengthy collegiate career. He started out as a bench player at San Diego State before becoming a starter as a junior. During his final season at SDSU, he started 39 games and helped his team reach the NCAA Tournament Championship Game, where they fell to the UConn Huskies.
With an extra year of eligibility at his disposal due to COVID, Johnson transferred to Arizona for his last collegiate season. He had his best season while with the Wildcats, averaging 11.5 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Despite being a supremely athletic wing player, Johnson’s somewhat limited skillset didn’t entice NBA teams. The Heat took a chance on Johnson, handing him a two-way contract. Johnson’s strong performance with Miami’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, earned him some playing time with the Heat as a rookie.
This season, Johnson has maintained a minor role with the Heat, averaging just 7.6 minutes per game. But he has been unstoppable during his four games in the G League, scoring 21.8 points per game, grabbing 8.5 rebounds and dishing out 3.5 assists per game with the Skyforce.
Johnson’s performance in the Slam Dunk Contest should give him more confidence as a player going forward, which would benefit the Heat.
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