{"id":703092,"date":"2026-04-07T10:41:50","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T10:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/703092\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T10:41:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T10:41:50","slug":"shaq-launching-pro-dunking-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/703092\/","title":{"rendered":"Shaq launching pro dunking league"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you think the NBA Slam Dunk Contest isn\u2019t what it used to be? Well, it\u2019s clear former Phoenix Sun<\/a> Shaquille O\u2019Neal thinks so, as he is starting a professional dunking league to identify who really is the best basketball slammer in the world.<\/p>\n

The four-time NBA champion announced<\/a> Monday during TNT\u2019s men\u2019s Final Four pregame show that he will be the commissioner of the Dunkman League<\/a>. The league, which O\u2019Neal is touting as the first of its kind, was birthed from a TV show that aired last fall, \u201cDunkman,\u201d where a panel of TNT Sports analysts and celebrities determined a champion over six episodes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe NBA guys don\u2019t have enough pride to give us fans what we want in the dunk contest, (and) all of these professional dunkers have been created,\u201d O\u2019Neal said from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. \u201cI\u2019ve signed up 24 players. I\u2019m giving a $500,000 cash prize. There will be an elaborate scoring system.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re trying to get (Mac) McClung \u2014 (three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner) \u2014 in it, but I\u2019m telling you tonight, we got 24 Mac McClungs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Who will own the skies? \u2708\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Get ready for the Dunkman League on TNT Sports this summer \ud83d\ude24 @dunkmanofficial<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/dqgcz4HNcd<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Former Arizona Wildcat Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat) defeated fellow Wildcat Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs) in the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest in Los Angeles. All four competitors in the event \u2014 Lakers\u2019 Jaxson Hayes and Magic\u2019s Jase Richardson being the others \u2014 were first-timers after the springy, 6-foot-2 McClung won the previous three editions.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Neal said the best dunkers are no longer synonymous with the NBA\u2019s best players, as was the case when he played.<\/p>\n

So, how did Shaq, who unofficially recorded 2,626 dunks<\/a> in his illustrious NBA career, select dunkers worthy of being crowned the world\u2019s best? YouTube.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you go to YouTube, dunk clips are some of the most successful clips,\u201d O\u2019Neal said.<\/p>\n

Canadian Jordan Kilganon<\/a>, who impressed during 2016 NBA All-Star weekend, was one of the 24 O\u2019Neal confirmed will be in the league.<\/p>\n

The league, which will be run by O\u2019Neal in partnership with Lily and TNT Sports, will broadcast five dunking sessions \u2014 four group stage events and one finale \u2014 across TNT, TBS, truTV, HBO Max and a few unannounced social media platforms, according to The Associated Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The dunkers will be judged on \u201can Olympic-level scoring system\u201d by a panel of judges.<\/p>\n

Dunkman League is slated to debut this summer.<\/p>\n

The 7-foot-1 center played 103 games for Phoenix, averaging 16.5 points, nine rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.7 assists. His career free-throw percentage of 52.7% is among the worst<\/a> in league history (hence, \u201chack a Shaq\u201d), but he shot 57.6% for the Suns, the best mark for any of the six teams he played for.<\/p>\n

He made the All-NBA Third Team in the 2008-09 season with Phoenix, which was his final such accolade in a 19-year career.<\/p>\n

Follow @pwmoses11<\/a><\/p>\n

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