Jalen Duren Accepts Invitation to Participate In 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest
Jalen Duren Accepts Invitation to Participate In 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren has officially accepted the invitation to participate in the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, adding one more layer to what has already been considered a breakout season for the 22-year-old.
The 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest is scheduled for Feb 14 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, CA, as part of NBA All-Star Weekend. Duren will compete alongside Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes and San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant in the competition. Other participants will also be announced in the coming weeks.
The news of Duren’s participation in the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest was announced just days after the 22-year-old was named to the first-ever NBA All-Star Game as an Eastern Conference reserve.
Duren is currently averaging 18.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, shooting 63.5 percent from the field for the conference-leading Pistons.
The Pennsylvania native has been one of five men in the NBA with more than 100 dunks this season, mostly as the pick-and-roll partner for fellow All-Star Cade Cunningham. The selection of Duren for the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has watched the Pistons this season.
Duren is one of the top rebounders in the NBA, ranking sixth in the NBA in total rebounds this season. He is also third in the NBA in offensive rebounds with 3.8 per game.
He is also one of the top defenders in the NBA, ranking 11th in defensive rebounds this season. The news of Duren’s participation in the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest was first announced by ESPN’s Shams Charania on X Tuesday morning.
Detroit Pistons first time All-Star Jalen Duren has accepted an invitation to participate in the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest in Los Angeles, sources tell ESPN. Duren joins Lakers center Jaxson Hayes and Spurs rookie Carter Bryant in the contest field.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2026
The Pistons currently own the best record in the Eastern Conference with a 36-12 mark. The Pistons have not had this much success in many years, and Duren has been the key to the franchise’s success.
