1990 was the last year that the Atlanta Hawks had a player who was an All-Star Game and All-Star Slam Dunk Contest participant in the same season. That man was Dominique Wilkins, also known as “The Human Highlight Film.” Over 35 years later, Jalen Johnson is looking to be named a 2026 All-Star Game reserve after posting the eight-highest weighted score in the voting returns.
Hawks All-Star Hopeful Jalen Johnson Cagey About 2026 Slam Dunk Contest
For now, Johnson doesn’t have a cool nickname like Wilkins. Nonetheless, the springy Wisconsin native has also frequently been seen jumping out of the gym. In fact, he already has 53 dunks in 2025-26. For reference, Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown –a participant in the 2024 Slam Dunk contest, finished the 2023-24 season with 76 dunks.
That being said, it’s unclear whether Johnson would actually take part in the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest if invited.
“Um, I don’t got no comment on that,” he says after considering the question (h/t Jameelah Johnson of atlhawksfans.com).
I asked Jalen Johnson if he were to be chosen as an All-Star reserve, would he do the dunk contest if they asked?
JJ: Um…I don’t got no comment on that…no comment. pic.twitter.com/Ugyt5WLHxk
— JJ (@JameelahJNBA) January 24, 2026
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
“No comment.”
Death Of The Slam Dunk Contest?
Johnson’s response was far more hazy than that of Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe.
With explosiveness that’s on par with a young Dwyane Wade, the rookie already has several high-flying highlights.
However, when asked about his inclination to be a part of the annual event, he replied: “Yeah, I ain’t doing it.”
Frankly, for a person who’s been praised for his humility, Edgecombe’s statement was full of hubris. He is, after all, in his first season in the NBA. Furthermore, there are hundreds of people from his birthplace (Bimini, which has a population of about 2,400) who can only dream of being in his position.
It doesn’t have to be his responsibility to represent his home. But that seems like what someone who tried to get the Bahamian men’s national team to the Olympics would do.
Will Jalen Johnson Help Break The Mold?
Johnson, another highlight waiting to happen, could actually want to be part of the event. With his fast-rising popularity, he may have already been approached. If so, his comments could just be PR-savvy, keeping him out of the crosshairs by being opaque. Or, they could be his way of keeping his invitation or acceptance of it a secret.
Fans can only hope that this is the case because All-Star Weekend is slowly dying.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver keeps changing the All-Star Game format and incentives to keep it fresh and motivate players who should realistically be thankful to even be named All-Stars. Many of those same stars have declined to participate in the Slam Dunk contest. As a result, fans have had to watch the likes of Cassius Stanley, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Jacob Toppin instead of LeBron James, Anthony Edwards and Zion Williamson. What should be a stimulating event is now dispirited.
To make it even worse, the participants that do go give it their all. Players who may not have a significant NBA career, like three-time Slam Dunk Contest champion Mac McClung, still earn the respect of their peers and the league’s fans. However, they’re quite simply not who the fans want to see.
Edgecombe, and possibly Johnson, will be perpetuating that.
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