Lakers center and Spurs rookie headline fresh competition after Mac McClung’s three-peat dynasty ends
The NBA dunk contest is getting a makeover. Jaxson Hayes and Carter Bryant have accepted invitations to compete at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, marking a shift toward fresh faces and new competition after three years of Mac McClung dominance. Hayes, the 7-foot Lakers center, brings legitimate athleticism and highlight-reel potential. Bryant, the 6-foot-6 Spurs rookie, represents the younger generation. Together, they signal that the dunk contest is ready to move past the McClung era.
Hayes made headlines earlier this week with a between-the-legs dunk in the Lakers’ win over the Bulls on Monday the kind of moment that gets replayed across social media and gets noticed by All-Star Weekend organizers. That’s the level of athleticism the contest needs. That’s the kind of dunk that reminds people why this event matters. Hayes didn’t have to accept the invitation. He could have declined. Instead, he said yes, positioning himself as someone willing to compete against the best dunkers in the league.
Bryant’s invitation is more intriguing because of his limited NBA experience. The 6-foot-6 rookie, selected 14th in last year’s draft, is averaging just 2.5 points in 35 games with the Spurs this season. His role has been minimal. His opportunity to showcase himself at the NBA level has been limited. But this is his chance. This is his moment to step onto a massive stage and prove that he belongs among the league’s most athletic players, even if his on-court production hasn’t reflected it yet.
“The dunk contest is for guys who can dunk,” the invitation essentially said. And Bryant accepted that challenge.
When the defending champ steps back
The backdrop to all of this is Mac McClung’s absence. The three-time defending dunk contest champion a run that matched some of the greatest dynasties in dunk contest history is not participating this season. His father said McClung will sit this one out, ending his run at what could have been a fourth consecutive title.
That’s significant. McClung represented consistency, dominance, and a level of skill that elevated the contest when he was competing. His three straight wins weren’t flukes. They were evidence of preparation, athleticism, and creative dunking at the highest level. Losing him creates a vacuum that needs to be filled.
Hayes and Bryant are the answer to that vacancy. Hayes brings size, athleticism, and the kind of explosive dunking that only a 7-footer operating at peak condition can provide. Bryant brings youth, hunger, and the desperation of a young player trying to establish himself in the league. Together, they represent a reset.
The between-the-legs moment that changed everything
Hayes’ invitation came off the back of his Monday night performance against the Bulls. A between-the-legs dunk in a live game the kind of play that shows up on ESPN highlights, gets clipped for social media, and reminds the basketball world that Hayes is capable of special things athletically. It wasn’t a planned dunk contest dunk. It was a game moment that demonstrated his capability.
That’s the difference between a dunk contest participant who’s just there and one who actually belongs. Hayes showed up in a game and said, “I can do special things.” The All-Star Weekend organizers watched and said, “Yes, you can.” Now he gets to do it on a bigger stage.
The between-the-legs dunk is also historically significant in dunk contests. It’s the kind of play that separates the good from the great, the athletic from the exceptional. If Hayes can replicate that level of creativity and athleticism in a contest setting, he could be dangerous. He could make a real run at the title.
The youth movement in Los Angeles
What’s interesting about Hayes’ participation is what it says about the Lakers‘ investment in youth. Hayes has been part of the rebuilding process. He’s a developing piece that the organization believes in long-term. Giving him a platform at All-Star Weekend even in the dunk contest is a way of showcasing what he can do. It’s a way of saying, “This guy has potential. Watch him.”
The dunk contest, in that sense, becomes more than just entertainment. It becomes a showcase for talent, a platform for athletes to demonstrate skills beyond their box-score contributions.
All-Star Weekend arrives in Los Angeles
Hayes and Bryant will compete on February 14th at Intuit Dome as part of All-Star Weekend, which runs February 13-15 in Los Angeles. The timing is perfect. The location is perfect. The moment is perfect for a fresh start to the dunk contest after three years of McClung’s dominance.
The dunk contest doesn’t need a villain to be compelling. It doesn’t need a three-time defending champ to make it matter. What it needs are athletes willing to showcase their skills, push the boundaries of what’s possible, and remind fans why dunking is one of the most beautiful parts of basketball.
Hayes and Bryant have both said yes. Now the real work begins.
