Wow! Howard is back! After waiting for four full years in the NBA

The moment revealing the dunk contest champion.

Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson secured the 2026 NBA All-Star Dunk Contest victory, while the other participants were Hayes (Lakers), Carter Bryant (Spurs), and Jess Richardson (Magic).

The players competing lacked star power, but the judges’ panel was filled with legends, all former dunk contest champions: Howard, Wilkins, Nate Robinson, and Brent Barry.

After a four-year hiatus, Howard was officially invited back to the NBA stage, though not as a player.

It’s worth noting that he never officially retired, yet last year he was inducted into both the 25th Naismith Hall of Fame class and the Magic’s Hall of Fame.

Forced into retirement, Howard’s NBA career spanned 18 years, during which he earned 3 Defensive Player of the Year awards, 8 All-NBA selections & 5 All-Defensive team nods, led the league 5 times in rebounds, 2 times in blocks, made 8 All-Star appearances, won an Olympic gold medal, and captured a championship ring with the Lakers in the 2019-20 season.

It must be said that given Howard’s achievements, it’s truly unfair that he was left out of the 75 Greatest Players list, but since it’s done, we can only accept the disappointment gracefully.